Fairview Church by I. D. Van Horn

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 4, 1882

Fairview Church.

By I. D. Van Horn

I ARRIVED at Fresno the evening of April 20. They had not received word of my appointment, hence no meeting that night. But the next evening there was a good turn out at our meeting held in the Masonic Hall. There are several good citizens of Fresno City that are interested in the truth. It would be a good point for a tent meeting next fall. Sabbath morning we went to Temperance Colony. Bro. Howard was with me. We enjoyed three good meetings during the day, and most of the Fairview church, within reach, were present. Sunday was also a good day for the church. At the business meeting in the afternoon it was thought best that the members of the church living in the mountains near the Toll House be organized in a church by themselves, as the church had granted them privilege by vote at the January Quarterly Meeting.

On Monday, the 24th, Bro. Smith took us up to Burr Valley. We arrived in time to visit a few of the families before evening. We enjoyed excellent freedom speaking on the subject of the Christian Graces in the evening. All came out. On the next day at 11 o'clock we spoke to them again, and in the afternoon we organized them into a church. Union prevailed, and twelve came into the organization. There are six others who will join as soon as they get letters from other places. Bro. George Hutchings was elected Elder, but was not ordained as he is in Alameda. Bro. Wauchope was elected Clerk. They adopted the tithing system, also the T. and M. work. They have thirty-three members in their Sabbath-school. They chose the name "Mountain View" for their church, and they wish to be taken into the Conference at its next session.

At the business meeting in Temperance Colony, a petition was handed in by the members of the church living in Fresno City and vicinity to allow them the privilege of organizing in a church by themselves. Their request was granted, and an appointment made to meet in the house of Bro. M. J. Church on Wednesday, April 26, at 3 P. M. On our return from the mountain we filled this appointment, and a church of fourteen members was organized in harmony with the doctrines and principles of S. D. Adventists. The name by which this church will be known is "Fresno City." They wish to be taken into the Conference at its next session. Bro. M. J. Church was elected Elder and was ordained. Bro. Horace Munn was chosen Clerk. He was also made Librarian of the T. and M. Society. Their Sabbath-school numbers 26. A few others will join this church as soon as they get letters. The cause in Fresno Co. was much encouraged by our short stay. There will be a large representation from this county to the camp-meeting.

I. D. VAN HORN.