Newspaper Work on the Pacific Coast
By Frank A. Coffin
CONTINUED and increasing interest in the third angel's message and the work of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination is being awakened by the many newspaper articles which are appearing in various parts of the Pacific Union Conference. The public of Santa Rosa, Cal., has taken great interest in the annual camp meeting of the Northwestern California Conference, held there from June 17 to 27. A large tent, seating about one thousand persons when all the chairs are used, was pitched for the general meetings, and was well filled at all the evening services. Although the Northwestern California Conference was organized only a few months ago through the division of the California Conference, those who attended the camp meeting in Santa Rosa three years ago say the attendance this year compares favorably with what it was then, when the field was all one. The brethren estimated that a third of the congregation at the evening meetings was made up of the general public from the city. The two Santa Rosa newspapers gave daily reports of the services, publishing each day from a half column to a column of news, and sermon extracts. The chief points of our faith were covered. Such an interest was manifested that it was decided to hold a tent effort, to begin two days after the camp meeting closed. A few years ago it was difficult to work in Santa Rosa because of the prejudice. Evidently this has been broken down, and the public seems ready to hear the truth. Last winter one of our sisters living in Richmond very faithfully wrote articles for the papers of that town, telling of the evils of Sunday laws, and the Seventh-day Adventists' position on this question. Recently a tent meeting was begun there, and the brethren have been writing up their sermons for the newspapers of the place. They say the interest is exceptionally good, and after two weeks of meetings they have thirty-five names of interested persons, with whom they are working. One of the workers who has been visiting the homes of the people says he is cordially received almost without exception, and the people seem ready for the truth. “I have been in efforts where we labored for two months, and there was not so much interest as is shown in Richmond after two weeks,” this brother said. In Utah, also, the interest created through newspaper reports of the sermons, seems to be growing. A meeting has been in session in Ogden for a few weeks, and the attendance has been good. Apparently an interest has been aroused in the truths for this time, and a harvest of souls may result. Various newspapers gave space to articles concerning the North American Division Educational and Young People's Council, held at the Pacific Union College, St. Helena, June 4-14. These articles showed the public that we stand for an all-round education, the training of the heart, the hand, and the brain. One large daily newspaper, published in Sacramento, one hundred and fifteen miles by rail from St. Helena, called up the college by telephone, and asked to have daily reports sent by telephone. An advance notice of the council had been sent to the paper by mail about ten days before. As soon as the first article had been telephoned in, the telegraph editor of the newspaper expressed his gratification over the manner in which the reports were sent to his paper, and offered to pay for them. We are very thankful that God is blessing so abundantly the efforts we make to give the light to the reading public, and pray that he may continue to send conviction to many hearts who read in the newspapers concerning this truth.