The Cause of Truth by James White

California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists · Oakland, Cal. · Mar 11, 1875

The Cause of Truth

By James White

It is encouraging indeed to know that our friends in all parts of the field stand firm, and to feel assured that the hand of the Lord is in the work. Only about six years since our mission was first commenced in California. It has not had the labors of sensational revivalists; but the work has moved on steadily. Some of the time it has moved so very slowly, or to human view at times has been going backward, because of injudicious labor, that but few have a just idea of what has been accomplished.

The results are really wonderful. At this date there are not less than six hundred well-established Seventh-day Adventists in the State. These are persons of moral worth. These have taken up heavy crosses, and come the long distance from the popular religious customs and last-day fables to accept the word of God as it reads, and to obey it. These can be relied upon three hundred and sixty-five days in a year.

There could come upon our cause no greater curse than to have it fall under the influence of sensational revivalists who might in the excitement of a few weeks raise it ten degrees, to be let down in an inevitable reaction, fifteen degrees. There is an actual loss in the end. Here may come in by illustration the old story of the frog in the well, who every day climbed up two feet, only to fall back three in the night.

Bro. Canright reports a growing interest at Petaluma, and a full house. He should have the earnest and energetic co-operation of all the brethren. Much visiting should be done by the lecturer, and by the brethren also, at such a time.

Bro. Waggoner returns from the quarterly meeting at Santa Rosa refreshed and cheered by his visit with the brethren in that county. Healdsburg has been visited by one of the meanest forms of opposition the sun ever looked upon. The matter was so completely overdone as to disgust the people, and create a strong reaction.

There is a call from the Woodland church for labor, and from the people for a course of lectures. May the blessing of God attend the efforts of young men who are laboring in different places in the State. And may thousands of prayers, bedewed with sympathy and love for Bro. and Sister Van Horn, go up daily for the blessing of Heaven upon the North Pacific Mission.

J. W.