Dec. 25, 1875, Eld. D. T. Bourdeau and family sailed from New York to join Eld. Andrews in the work among the French in Switzerland and France. Eld. Bourdeau, although American by birth, is of French origin, and while a young man pursued his studies in both French and English at Grande Ligne Mission, P. Q., with a view to devoting himself to the work of the ministry as a missionary for the Baptist denomination. Having embraced the third angel’s message, he labored in America for several years, preaching both in English and French; but as the work was now opening among the French in Europe, it was deemed desirable that he should unite in labor with Eld. Andrews, that the mission might have the benefit of his acquaintance with the French language. He was therefore advised to remove with his family to Europe. After a stormy and dangerous passage, during which they faced the reality of a threatened death, they joined Eld. Andrews at La Coudre, Switzerland, Jan. 7, 1876. During this month these brethren both removed with their families to Locle.HSFM 22.5

They also visited, in company, all the churches of Sabbath-keepers in Switzerland. While laboring for the spiritual advancement of the brethren, and endeavoring to carry forward the work which had been commenced among them, to encourage Christian temperance, liberality in the support of the cause, and activity in the missionary work, much time and thought were bestowed in considering the best plans and methods by which to bring the great truths of our faith to the attention of the people. Their plans included the publication of a French periodical at the earliest date possible. During this time also they were engaged in the preparation of a special edition of tracts on the three messages, adapted to the work in Europe, and to the translation of the valuable pamphlet, “Exposition of Matthew Twenty-Four.” With these publications, and one or two works on the Sabbath in French, they thought to have a supply sufficient to meet the urgent demands of the work in entering new fields of labor.HSFM 23.1

After a second tour among the principal churches, Eld. Bourdeau began, in the month of March, a course of lectures in Locle. These lectures were well attended, and among those who embraced the truth as the result of this effort was Bro. Louis Aufranc, the leading teacher in the college of that city. After having become convinced of his duty to observe the Sabbath, Bro. Aufranc addressed the board of education in a firm but courteous manner, informing them that he could not continue to teach on that day. He also addressed a letter to his pastor, in which he stated, in a gentlemanly and Christian spirit, the change in his faith and practice, and tendered his resignation as elder of the church. He received from the president and secretary of the college an honorable discharge, in which they expressed their appreciation of his faithful services and their wishes for his future prosperity. Since that time Bro. Aufranc has rendered valuable assistance in the publishing work as a translator.HSFM 23.2

While this course of lectures was being given at Locle, Bro. Andrews, at the request of Bro. Erzenberger, again visited Germany. During the interval since his former visit, some of those who had received them so cordially on the first occasion had become imbittered toward them; but the greater portion remained in sympathy and union with our work, and the number of the disaffected ones had been made good by the addition of those who had received the truth under Bro. Erzenberger’s labors. Some of those who had become alienated have since united with us.HSFM 23.3

The first quarterly tract and missionary meeting of the new society was held in Locle. The report showed the distribution of 26,000 pages of tracts. These had gone to nearly all the countries of Europe. Some of them had been sent into the household of the emperor of Russia, while others had found their way to a missionary in Africa. The interest in Locle which led to the giving of the course of lectures was first started by the distribution of reading matter, and thus the friends were encouraged by seeing what had already been accomplished.HSFM 23.4

THE WORK IN GERMANY

A PAPER ESTABLISHED AT BASLE