REPORT FROM BRN. LOUGHBOROUGH AND BOURDEAU by J. N. Loughborough; D. T. Bourdeau

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 18, 1868

REPORT FROM BRN. LOUGHBOROUGH AND BOURDEAU.

By J. N. Loughborough; D. T. Bourdeau

At the time of our last report we had just arrived in San Francisco, where we had had a little time for rest from the fatigue of our long and wearisome journey over the sea. We were not as sensible of the effects of the change of climate from temperate to torrid zone, and back again to temperate, while inactive upon the boat, as we were after leaving the boat where we have ample room again for exercise in the open air. True, we could pace the deck, and view the rolling waves, the sporting of the porpoise, or the spouting of the whales, on the boat, but this was more like forced exercise than it is to be on land again where the beauties of vegetation and the works of art cheer us on from place to place in our rambles. Our walks in San Francisco and vicinity, however, have reminded us of the fact that our inactive life and changes by sea, have taken strength from our muscles.

We have now spent a little over a week on land, as we arrived here one week ago yesterday. It seems good indeed to be permitted to sit again at a table of fruits, grains, and vegetables; where we have not to scrutinize every article of food, as we did on the steamer, for fear of hog's grease. Fruits of all varieties are offered in the market here, and we have permitted ourselves to indulge somewhat freely in their use, that nature may have opportunity to arouse her latent energies. Strawberries have been in the market for the past three months. The second growth of the season is now offered. This morning we enjoyed 8 pounds, which were purchased at 6¾ cents a pound, about 10 cents per quart. Everything here, even to potatoes and apples, sells by the pound. In the line of fruits we now see in the market, peaches of three varieties, apples of various kinds, several varieties of plums, four kinds of pears, apricots, cherries, currants, raspberries, blackberries, grapes, figs, &c. We have bought peaches here for about $1.00 per bushel, and good cooking apples for the same. Apples have not been long in the market, and will be cheaper soon. Grapes will soon sell for from four to five cents per pound. Of vegetables, there is every variety that any market affords. In addition to these, here is the finest of wheat and other grains. And if any one wishes to regale in imported fruits, here are tropical fruits in great variety. It is strange to us to see so much fruit, and that too, free from worm and blight. As yet, wormy fruit is unknown in this country. Why, in a land, abounding, as this does, with the products of the soil, a people should give themselves to eating of flesh-meat, is strange. In this climate, meat never cools, as it does in colder climates, and, of course it will sooner become unfit for human food, although it will not putrefy as in northern climates. For ourselves, we find no occasion for taking the lives of animals to meet nature's wants, yet, with all this, we say, Caution, to those changing from meat to a more healthful and unstimulating diet.

The week we have been here has not been an unprofitable one to us. It has not been spent in inactivity, but in trying to inform ourselves concerning the habits and customs of the people, to decide upon the best place to pitch our tent. In the line of labor, we are fitting up our tent for service.

We did not anticipate, on arriving here, that our tent was among the freight of our vessel. On Monday morning last, on going to the wharf, what was our astonishment to find all our freight was there. We could not obtain it however, until all the fast freight was delivered. Yet we got it soon enough to do all our fitting up before we could have obtained the tent had it come as slow freight. It seems to us that a special providence has overruled in this matter. Its speedy arrival has not only freed us from all anxiety concerning its safe arrival, but we shall sooner fit it for operations. We design to prospect for a place to pitch it this week, and if possible commence operations next week.

Of the climate of this city, and the city itself, we would say something. The city, containing about 150,000 inhabitants, is built on sand hills, and there is much drifting sand in the streets and vacant lots. As there is no rain here from June till October, this sand gets very dry, and, being moved about by the winds, becomes very fine. When the wind blows, the air is filled with these small particles of dust, which are very hurtful to feeble lungs. Some say the sea breeze is so bracing that it hurts consumptives here. Our philosophy of the matter is, that the dust in the air hurts more than the wind.

For some six months on this coast, the wind blows strongly from the northwest. The breeze commences about 11 o'clock and increases until night. Probably these “Trade winds” are caused by the sea air's rushing in to fill the vacuum made by the intense heat in the valleys. When the rainy season, or winter, comes on, the winds come from the southeast, and bring on the rains. Winters in San Francisco, aside from the rains, are really pleasanter and warmer than the Summers. We are, at the time of this writing, comfortable only with such clothing as we wore in Michigan the last of April and first of May. We now design to operate in the valleys, where the weather is warmer, until the fall rains come on, when it will be more pleasant here.

The number of those already keeping the Sabbath in this State is small. Several of those who were keeping the Sabbath, have returned to the States. We gave, each of us, a discourse last Sabbath, to a few who assembled at the residence of Bro. St. John in this city. The Lord gave us some freedom in speaking, and our own souls were refreshed as this was the first meeting we had opportunity of attending since leaving Rochester. This meeting reminded us much of the beginning of the work in Battle Creek 15 years since. We do not expect, however, to see the same results in San Francisco as there, but we may find some honest souls here, who will walk in the light.

As far as counting on any in this State, who are in a condition to help us, we may say there are none. Bro. St. John has kindly shared his home with us till we can make other arrangements; but his accommodations are no more than are requisite for his own family, and his means limited; still his heart is open. May the Lord bless him. Brethren and sisters in the States must look upon us here as in an entirely new field, and that, too, not with homes of our brethren to stop at, while prosecuting the work, but in a field where we must find our own home, until, by the truth presented, hearts and homes are opened for us. For this reason, our expenses will be heavier than in the States. There, when a preacher goes to a new field, some brother generally meets him at the station and provides for his wants until friends are raised up to care for him; here, we must furnish our own home, pay all our tent hauling, pay for stakes and labor of pitching the tent, &c., &c. All can readily see that for these reasons our expenses must be necessarily greater for the first six months, than they would be in the States. Aside from extra expense in this direction and rent, which we shall have to pay for our home, our expenses here will be no greater than in the States, with the exception that they must be paid in gold instead of currency. So you will remember when you pay $1.00 for the California mission in currency, it counts us only 70 cents, as that is all that is allowed here for legal tender. We think after carefully looking over the whole matter that it is safe to say that ten dollars in greenbacks will do no more in sustaining the mission here than five would in a new place in the States.

Just at present, this place, and, in fact, this part of California is being scourged with that dreadful malady, the small pox. We have all been vaccinated as a precaution, and shall have to labor carefully until this disturbance in our systems is over. In fact, there is no use in trying to get up much public stir until this scourge passes over. The small pox was brought here by a fresh arrival of Chinese; first spread among them, but is now scattered among all classes. Active measures are adopted; all the people being required to be vaccinated, as a check to this disease.

We have just received and read the first number of the present volume of the REVIEW. Our hearts are cheered by its “news” to us; although most of the readers of the REVIEW have read four papers of later date than this. We shall be glad to receive the REVIEW weekly, although it may be a month old. Letters come here from Michigan in about fourteen days, as they come the “overland route.” Papers come by steamer, via the Isthmus, which requires some four or five weeks. All mail going east, goes the overland route.

Since commencing this report we have been to Petaluma, 50 miles further north than this, near the head of San Francisco Bay, or rather San Pablo Bay, which is an arm of San Francisco Bay. That place is freer from the heavy sea breeze, sea fog, and dust. Rent is cheaper there than here. Fuel, of which we need but little except for cooking purposes, is only $6 per cord, while here it is $15. Provisions are about the same there as here. We think it a favorable site for the tent, as soon as the small pox subsides so that it will do to commence operations. We still wish our mail sent to San Francisco, as it can be forwarded to us from this point, soon after arriving.

We desire to be remembered at the throne of grace, by all those who have an interest in this mission.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH, D. T. BOURDEAU. San Francisco, July 30, 1868.