The Tent Effort in Oakland, Cal.
By J. W. McCord.
About one hundred persons have accepted the truth in Oakland, Cal., as a result of the tent effort which Elder R. S. Fries and the writer conducted there this summer. It was a good series from start to finish. We had a new tent seventy by one hundred feet, a fine location in the heart of the city, splendid weather, and faithful, hard-working Bible workers. We also received considerable help from the churches near by, and the cordial support of Elder C. E. Ford, the pastor of the Oakland church. This splendid team work, with the blessing of the Lord, brought success, and for this blessing we humbly thank the Lord of the harvest. We are now binding off the work, and the prospects are bright for a large ingathering. Up to the time of writing this report, fifty-four persons have been received into the church—fifty-two by baptism and two on former baptism. However, by the time this report is in print, the number added to the church will be somewhat larger, as we have fifteen candidates who are now ready for baptism, which will be administered November 20. Of course it will take a few months longer to properly bind off this work; for in addition to the Sabbath keepers yet to be baptized, there are more than fifty others who are interested. The expenses of this series of meetings were rather large, but then the attendance was also large, and we are glad to say that the donations more than covered the expenses. The meetings continued for fifteen weeks, and the attendance averaged about six hundred each night. The Saturday night attendance averaged eight hundred, and on Sunday the average attendance was fully one thousand. The expenses amounted to $1,760, and the donations amounted to $1,813.17, thus leaving us a small surplus. We also gave away thousands of tracts, and sold $180 worth of small books. The Exposition gave us a splendid opportunity to sow the seed among thousands of visitors from the different States, and eternity alone will disclose what the full harvest will be. Those who have accepted the truth seem to be good. forth substantial persons, and all but four of them are adults. What a wonderful privilege is ours to have a part in such a work at such a time!