p. 504 | SAN FRANCISCO

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 10, 1881

SAN FRANCISCO.

LAST Sabbath we spent with the church in San Francisco, and spoke on Jer. 13:16. Words cannot express the deep interest we have felt for the welfare of this church in years past. We have labored for them when labor was a great hardship to us, and when others were almost too much discouraged to make an effort in their behalf. We appreciated their circumstances, and pitied them under the discouragement of a heavy debt. The Lord has been good to them, and is opening a way in San Francisco for the church to rise, and the cause to be advanced.

Two difficulties have stood in the way of that church: there has been too great indifference to the calls for missionary work. Some, who might have become strong, have kept themselves weak by inactivity. The burden has been left to be borne by a few, and they not always the ones having the best opportunities. Another, and a greater difficulty has been, that some unruly ones were busy in their efforts to destroy confidence in those who had labored, and were laboring for their good. Faithful Testimonies and wise counsel had been given to the church and to individuals, but persistent efforts were made by a very few to bring them into contempt. They were very few, but, unfortunately, they were given influence by receiving sympathy from those who did not know clearly what they were doing. These suffered themselves to be led by their feelings, not discerning the true state of things.

Now provision has been made for the removal of their debt; they are unexpectedly, and without effort on their part, freed from this burden. But their responsibilities are increased. Their privileges are greater than ever before; we hope they will faithfully improve them, and not suffer darkness to settle down upon them.