Southern California Camp-Meeting.
THIS meeting is located in the village of Hanford. There is no shade on the ground; not so much as one tree. A grove of young trees joins our ground on the north, which defends us from the strong north-west winds which prevail here. The weather is unusually cool for this time of year, so that we do not miss the shade as much as we would otherwise. A meeting was held Wednesday evening. Eld. Van Horn spoke to those present. The work of preparation continued over Thursday. The meeting, proper, commenced that evening—sermon by Eld. Waggoner on second letter of Peter, first part. At the 9 o'clock meeting Friday morning Sister White gave some excellent instructions on health reform, how to live on the camp-ground, and how to prepare for the Sabbath, and how to live on the Sabbath. At 10:30 Elder Van Horn preached on the Dispensation of the Spirit, showing that the prophecy of Joel, quoted by Peter in Acts 2, covers the whole dispensation. Elder Waggoner spoke in the afternoon from 1 Peter 4:7. "The end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer." In the evening Mrs. White spoke on Rev. 7, specially on the tribulation of the saints, and their washing their robes. This was the first large congregation of the meeting, and the sermon was solemn and impressive. A "sand storm" on the plain made this day somewhat unpleasant, but the grove to the north of the camp shielded us from its severity.223Sabbath morning, May 6, opened clear and fair. The early meeting was well attended. At 9 the Sabbath-school convened. All the preachers acted as teachers. There were 140 members of the school, and considering the size of the meeting, and the lack of opportunity for preparation, the school was very good. All were interested. At 10:30, Elder Waggoner spoke on Rom. 13:8-13. Specially in reference to "knowing the time" and our duty in reference thereto. In the afternoon Sister White spoke on Isa. 58. This was a plain presentation of important life duties. In answer to a call at the close of the discourse, a large part of the congregation came forward to signify their desire to renew their covenant with God, and to get their spirits refreshed, and to be fitted up for the work. Many feeling confessions were made. This was a good move for the early part of the meeting. In the evening Eld. Van Horn spoke on Titus 1:14,—the "commandments of men, that turn from the truth;" showing how prone are men to follow tradition, and that traditions always stand in the way of reform. Sunday was another windy day. The "sand storm" was worse than that of Friday. We do not know but we should become so accustomed to these storms, if we lived on these plains that we could endure them with complacency, but our present preference would be an Iowa snow storm. The 9 o'clock meeting was occupied with the reading of Elder Haskell's article on the "Institutions on the Pacific Coast," found in this paper, and remarks by Elder Waggoner on the rise of our various institutions, both east and west, how they are held and how managed. These reminiscences of the progress of the work in early days were very interesting to the friends here. At 10:30 Elder Van Horn preached on Rev. 13, identifying the United States as the power symbolized by the two-horned beast. This was preparatory to a discourse to be given on the image of the beast, and the enforcement of Sunday. In the afternoon Sister White spoke, by appointment, on temperance. The Spirit of the Lord helped mightily in this discourse. It was a strong appeal to parents in the training and raising of children, and to all cultivate self-denial. No description can do justice to it. She appointed to speak on the same subject next Sunday afternoon. The congregation was quite large, and deeply interested. It would have been much larger had not the traveling been so disagreeable by reason of the sand in the atmosphere. In the evening the congregation was largest yet had in this meeting, and all gave close attention to Elder Waggoner, who presented the prophecies and the Sabbath. The discourse embraced three prominent points: The image to the beast; the claims of the Sabbath of the Lord, given in the fourth commandment; and the claims of the Sunday, or, so-called "Christian Sabbath." He had more than usual freedom in speaking, and the clear argument—the plainness of the truth—made a deep impression on the audience. Monday morning at 9 o'clock Elder Waggoner led a Bible Class, on the subject of the image of the beast and the Sabbath. It was decided to turn the morning meetings into Bible Classes, the subjects to be those of the sermons of the preceding day, the limited number in attendance not warranting so many social meetings as were indicated by the "Rules." At 10:30, Elder W. presented the instructions of the Scriptures on the duties of Elders, and of the churches in reference to them. Sister White followed in remarks on the same. After which Bro. G. W. Hutchings was ordained Elder of the Burr Valley Church, the members of that church all being present. Prayer by Elder Waggoner; charge by Elder Van Horn. The afternoon meeting was devoted to the subject of our school in Healdsburg. Sister White spoke on the necessity of a school, and the manner of school which is needed. She gave faithful admonitions to parents, and most solemn warnings concerning the condition of the children and of the dangers to which they are exposed. Bro. W. C. White gave an account of the work of the committee in locating the school, and purchasing the property in Healdsburg. He had a couple of large photographs of the building, which gave greater interest to his remarks. The brethren were not only well satisfied with the action of the committee, but surprised that such a property was obtained at so small a price. Without any urging the sum of $1,730 was subscribed for the school, to be paid this summer, or before the first of October. In the evening Bro. Van Horn spoke on the Three Messages of Rev. 14. It was decided to give the prominent points of our faith in this meeting, not only for the benefit of strangers, but for the instruction of our own people, who so seldom enjoy the privilege of hearing preaching. Tuesday morning dawned upon us clear and beautiful, with no signs of wind or dust, but indications of coming hot weather. The Bible class on the subject of the Messages, was a profitable exercise, correcting many errors which had obtained in the minds of many in the churches. At 10:30, Elder Van Horn spoke on Witnessing for God, Isa. 43:8-13, in life as well as in word. In the afternoon (Tuesday) Sister White spoke on the health reform, hygienic living and cooking, and the responsibility of parents to train and educate their children, etc. Some remarks were made concerning the Health Retreat, its location, and what has already been done toward its opening as a health retreat. The action of the meeting in Oakland being read (as published in the Signs of April 27), the meeting resolved, by a rising vote, to indorse the resolutions there adopted. No call was made for money, but brethren privately subscribed stock to the amount of $340. In the evening Eld. Waggoner preached on the subject of the Sanctuary and its cleansing. The Bible Class on this subject on Wednesday morning was one of great interest. Many important truths were brought out, and made plain to the class. At 10:30, Wednesday, Elder Waggoner spoke on the subject of Health from a Bible stand-point. The promises of God were considered, and the relation of the healing of diseases and forgiving of sins, in the gospel, was pointed out. The object was to show the importance of the Health Reform, as a Christian duty. A Tract and Missionary meeting was appointed for the afternoon, but was postponed, and Elder Van Horn spoke on Matt. 18, on the duty of church members to each other, in the treatment of offenders, and the cultivation of a spirit of brotherly kindness. In the evening he spoke again on Matt. 24, with especial reference to the signs of the Lord's coming. Thursday, 9 A. M., Bible Class on the subject of last evening's discourse, led by Elder Van Horn. At 10:30, Elder Waggoner preached on 2 Peter 1:10, showing the danger of presumption, and the necessity of vigilant and continued efforts, to be accepted finally. Many texts were read to prove the positions taken, and pointed illustrations were used to enforce them. The T. and M. meeting was held in the afternoon. Elder Boyd, late from Nebraska, made remarks, questions were asked and answered, and the subject of missionary work was considered. Remarks on the present time, and the opportunity for the circulation of Sabbath literature presented by the agitation of the Sunday question, with the duty to improve the opening so providentially offered, were made by Sister White and Elder Waggoner. A meeting of the officers of the various societies present was appointed, to consider some matters to be presented to another full meeting. In the evening Elder Boyd preached on John 3:3, with especial reference to conversion and the work of perfecting Christian characters—the "first-fruits of the Spirit" in the church of God. Friday, 9 A. M., the Bible Class was led by Elder Waggoner. Subject, 2 Peter 2:10, sermon on which was preached the morning previous. This was the most interesting class exercise yet held. After the questions by the leader, many questions were asked by the class, the consideration of which was evidently profitable to all. At 10:30, Elder Van Horn preached on the Mission of Christ. Heb. 2:14, etc. It was a general presentation of the object or work of Christ and the gospel. In the afternoon a Sabbath-school meeting was held. Not, however, for the transaction of business, as the State Association meets at our general camp-meeting. Mrs. White spoke at some length on the duties of teachers and parents in regard to the Sabbath-school and the proper use of the Sabbath—how to care for the children on the Sabbath, to interest and instruct them, so that the Sabbath shall be a delight to them and not a weariness. Remarks were also made by Eld. Waggoner and W. C. White. In the evening Sister White spoke on 1 John 3:1, giving special prominence to the important consideration that such wondrous love as the Father has bestowed upon man calls for a return of love, manifested in perfect obedience to the divine requirements. It was a forcible presentation of the claims of the commandments of God. At the meeting Sabbath morning at 5:30, Bro. Buckner was ordained Elder of the Lemoore church. At 9 was the Sabbath-school. Bro. White, profiting by his experience at camp-meetings, is taking some steps to secure uniformity in the lessons of the primary classes in Sabbath-schools at camp-meetings, without which "general exercises," in those classes are about impossible. At 10:30 Bro. Boyd preached on John 21:21, 22, the subject being that of unquestioning obedience. In the afternoon, at 2:30, Elder Van Horn preached on 1 Cor. 15:29, on the resurrection and the gospel duty related thereto, baptism. At the 5 o'clock meeting quite a number signified their desire for baptism, which was appointed for the day following. In the evening Elder Waggoner spoke on Rev. 14:12, first part of the verse: "Here is the patience of the saints," being a part of the message of the "Third Angel" of that chapter. The congregation was quite large, and all listened with very close attention. Sunday was a good day in the camp. Sister White addressed the early meeting, to good effect. At 9 o'clock the candidates for baptism were examined, seventeen coming forward. At 10:30 Eld. Van Horn spoke on the subject of the Two Covenants, reading the eighth chapter to the Hebrews. At the close of this discourse baptism was administered in the grove, a few rods from the camp. In the afternoon Sister White spoke on 1 Cor. 9:27, "But I keep my body under," etc., the subject being temperance. She spoke an hour with freedom, and the interest was excellent. Pledges were again circulated, but the number of names obtained was not reported to us. We will publish it next week. She spoke on a branch of the same subject in the evening, from 2 Cor. 6:15-18. At this time there was present the largest congregation of the entire meeting, and Sister White had a good time in speaking, and the interest still increasing. And so closed the meeting, in a manner very gratifying to the laborers and all friends of the good work. There being no paper last week, and the camp-meeting holding over ten days, it becomes necessary to give the entire report in this paper. We are therefore able to give only a mere summary of the proceedings of the meetings, a kind of best journal kept on the ground. In addition we can say that the social meetings were all good. From the time of the movement on the first Sabbath afternoon, the spiritual interest seemed to rise continuously. Sister White addressed some of the social meetings, in which some said the remarks were more instructive than a whole sermon. Another interesting feature of the meeting was the Bible Classes. These were so conducted as to make the lessons practical, to fix on the minds the facts presented in the sermons, and to enlarge the knowledge of the subjects by answering questions. Some of them were specially blessed to the good of the brethren and sisters. And still another feature was that of the meetings for the children and youth. The number of these was not so large as it should have been, but they were important, and the children asked for more after it was found impossible to hold more. We think the instruction given to the children, and to parents and church members, in regard to their duty to children who profess the faith, led some of the young to request baptism. In all respects we have reason to believe the influence of the meeting was good. On the churches, by enlightening the minds of the members, more deeply impressing upon them the importance of the truth, and of the present opportunities for work in the cause. On the community, by giving them better ideas of our message and the Sabbath reform. The truth was once partially presented in Hanford, but the influence of the meetings for good was destroyed by the harsh and uncourteous manner of the one presenting it. We take this occasion to express our thanks to the editor of the Hanford Journal, with whom we formed a pleasant acquaintance, for his cheerful willingness to accommodate us by every means in his power. We had not opportunity to become acquainted with the editor of the Delta. Several visits we wished, and indeed intended to make, but were prevented by our much work, both for the meeting and preparing for the present number of the SIGNS. The labors of Sister White in this meeting were very highly appreciated. Her labors were truly abundant, as she wrote in every spare moment, and yet was sustained in her public speaking in a manner, or to an extent, highly gratifying to all who were permitted to hear her. Greater responsibilities rest upon the churches of Fresno and Tulare counties than ever rested upon them before. May God bless them with increased faithfulness, and make the coming year one of great success to his sacred work in that valley.