THE WORK IN FRANCE

In October, 1876, Eld. Bourdeau and his family removed to Southern France. During the months previous to this, while located at Basle, he had been engaged in translating publications, and also in work on. Les Signes, and had given a course of lectures in Alsace, as the result of which four persons embraced the truth. He remained in Southern France until the 4th of September, 1877, laboring at different localities. Much trouble was experienced in holding public meetings, on account of the difficulty in procuring the right to preach in temples, as the churches are called in this country. The laws prohibited holding assemblies of more than twenty persons in any private house, and there was also difficulty in the circulation of our publications, as none were allowed to be sold except those stamped at Paris by a Catholic archbishop. Notwithstanding this, several persons embraced the truth in various localities, the larger number of whom were at Valence, where seventeen were baptized. In March of this year Elds. Andrews and Bourdeau visited Paris with the view to secure some arrangement with the French government favorable to their work. They were cordially received by Mr. Washburn, the American Minister, who promised them his co-operation in their efforts to secure greater liberty in pursuing their work. They also corresponded with Mr. Jules Simon, at that time Prime Minister of France, who took his stand in favor of their plea in the organ of the government. The political crisis which followed resulted in the resignation of President Mac Mahon, whose administration was succeeded by one which gave its influence in favor of the desired reform. As the result of the changes which followed, the laws have become very much more favorable to the public proclamation of the message in this country, and the principal legal obstacles to the carrying forward of the work have been removed.HSFM 27.4

While the crisis which brought about these changes was pending, absorbing the general interests of the people, the excitement was such that but little could be done to arouse a religious interest. Eld. Bourdeau decided therefore to return to Switzerland, locating first at Morges, where seven persons embraced the truth. In July, 1878, he removed to Orbe, where he remained until his return to America, Sept. 14 of that year. A number of persons embraced the truth at this latter place, and in the vicinity.HSFM 28.1