p. 92 | Quarterly Meetings by John Norton Loughborough

California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists · OAKLAND, CAL. · Dec 31, 1874

Quarterly Meetings.

By John Norton Loughborough

The eight district quarterly meetings, the first held under the new constitution, as far as heard from, were profitable meetings. The one I attended in district number eight was an interesting occasion. I held seven meetings, one of them being a business meeting for the explanation and organization of the T. & M. Society in that new district. The officers were all appointed, and nearly all subscribed as members of the society. They now have their tracts and enter upon the work with good will. May the Lord bless them. In our six discourses there we were blessed in contemplating those things that relate to the great and mighty truths for this time.

On returning I learned of the interesting quarterly meeting at San Francisco, reported by Bro. Canright in this paper. I have since received letters from most of the other meetings from which I will quote briefly. Bro. Bond, Vice President, says of the meeting in district No. 3: "I attended the quarterly meeting at Napa. We had an excellent meeting. The spirit of the Lord was with us, both on Sabbath and first-day. A good many in Napa are taking hold with a will in the missionary work. I shall look for great results, if all carry out the resolution formed. A score or more in the Napa church covenanted together to set apart a portion of time each week to visit, canvass for our periodicals, and get reading matter before the people. If all our missionary members would do this I think a great work could be accomplished. We had a good turnout, and all expressed themselves satisfied with the meeting."

Bro. Mavity, director of district No. 3, writes: "Brother Bond and I met with the brethren at Napa, Dec. 19 and 20. Had a glorious social meeting in the morning (Sabbath), Sabbath school in the afternoon, and prayer meeting at night. These meetings were well attended by the members of Napa, and some from St. Helena. We met first-day morning for business; but, I am sorry to say, the meeting was not so well attended as we were led to expect. Those present, however, manifested a disposition to take hold of the missionary work in earnest. . . If their resolution is carried out good results may be expected, and we shall have a 'telling' report at our next quarterly meeting."

Bro. J. H. Disher, director of district No. 6, writes respecting their quarterly meeting: "Our meeting was quite small. About all we could do was to report what little missionary work had been done, and to hold a Sabbath meeting. I mean to go out among our neighbors soon and see what we can do. If it is the Lord's will, I hope we may do some good. We should have some Reviews, Reformers, Instructors, and Signs for distribution."

There is only one small church in district No. 6, and its members are much scattered; and we are gratified to learn that although they were few they still got together for a quarterly meeting. If they are of courage in their missionary effort their labor will not be in vain.

It is the part of unbelief to neglect to make efforts, because we do not know beforehand what the result will be. The part of faith is to sow our seed, looking to God for his blessing to crown our efforts made. "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand, for thou knowest not which shall prosper this or that, or whether both shall be alike good."

J. N. L.