Missionary Work in California.
By M. C. Israel
WE are glad to report that the work in this State is progressing, and as we labor on, the providence of God is opening the way for more extended labor. God is blessing the efforts of his servants in presenting the truth, and some souls are turning their feet to walk in his precepts, and many that have been following him at a distance are seeking a closer walk with God. But our ministers are too few to perform the work that is opening up before us. There never has been as favorable a time to reach the mass of the people with the truth on the Sabbath question as the present, while the Sunday law is being agitated, and now is the time to place a few copies of the SIGNS and a tract on the Sabbath into the hands of every business man in the State. Our large cities need to be thoroughly canvassed to find out who will read, and the SIGNS be sent to them for at least four weeks by some of our missionary societies; then letters be written or the parties be visited, to ascertain who are willing to search for truth and see that they are supplied with such reading matter as will lead them to the study of the Scriptures to see if these things are so. Great care should be taken in visiting, and writing letters that no arguments be entered into; but use the publications and let them explain the points of truth. These are written with great care, and will do it more plainly than it can be done in a letter or a few minutes' conversation. Our last quarterly meeting was one of interest, at which matters pertaining to the work were discussed and resolutions passed in regard to the future action of our T. and M. workers, which we should begin at once to carry into effect. Time is short, and "it is high time to awake out of sleep" and buckle on the armor, get imbued with the Spirit of the Master, and put forth efforts to find those who will heed the call to prepare for the coming of the Lord, and to warn all, that they may be without excuse in the swiftly-approaching Judgment. The churches at Healdsburg and Santa Rosa have adopted the plan of paying a sum equal to one-third of their tithe to keep up a fund to supply periodicals and publications for the work. The club of SIGNS at Healdsburg was increased from sixteen to forty. That at Santa Rosa, from twenty-six to seventy-five, and at each of these places steps are being taken to make a forward move in the missionary work. The T. and M. Societies at Oakland and San Francisco are making a greater effort to spread the truth than ever before. We hope to hear that this is the case in all the districts not heard from. At our next quarterly meeting we hope to have a prompt report from every district, that every member in the State will send in a report of work done for the Master, and that we may continue faithful to the end, and receive the "well done." Santa Rosa, February 11. M. C. ISRAEL.