Report From Brother Loughborough by John Norton Loughborough

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Aug 3, 1905

Report From Brother Loughborough

By John Norton Loughborough

THANKFUL was I for the privilege of attending the General Conference in Washington, D. C. It was indeed a feast of fat things from start to finish, the most harmonious gathering of our people held in many years, not a jarring note in the meetings from beginning to end. The reports of living representatives from all the leading nations of the earth, showing an open door and calls for the definite message, were tangible evidence that the message may soon be completed and the deliverance of God’s people come.

From Washington to Battle Creek I had the company of Elder D. T. Bourdeau, who has since fallen asleep in Jesus. He spoke of some physical ailments occasioned by heavy physical labor just before the conference, but he hoped soon to be better, and, after the heat of summer was over, to go to Hayti to labor still in this cause, dearer to him than life or worldly comforts. Little did either of us think that he was taking his last journey, and that so soon he would be called to lay off the armor and meet his last change.

Since the year 1858 it has been my lot to labor in company, more or less, with Elder Bourdeau, in Vermont, Iowa, and Michigan, but especially for about two years—from 1868 to 1870—in pioneer work in California. Our two families came to this State via Panama, and we lived as one family all the time of his sojourn in this field. Earnest and arduous were his labors, both in public and from house to house. Pleasant indeed in those days were our associations together. He sleeps in Jesus, soon to rise to hear the “everlasting covenant” pronounced upon those who have kept God’s law.

On my way home from conference I spent a week in Battle Creek, visiting relatives and friends. At the Old People’s Home I met with some of those whom I had known forty and fifty years ago. I was glad to find these pioneers in the faith rejoicing in the Lord, although feeble in body, and awaiting their last change. It was also my privilege to speak, on the Sabbath, to a large audience in the Tabernacle, calling attention to the manner in which the testimonies of God’s Spirit have been connected with every important move in the rise of the third angel’s message.

On my return to California our excellent State conference was held in Oakland. The same harmonious spirit of the General Conference was manifest in this gathering of a larger delegation than assembled last year, when the conference and camp-meeting were held together. Notwithstanding most of the time of this conference was devoted to business, it was conducted as business for God, and his Spirit was manifest throughout all the time of the conference.

The week following the conference, from June 23 to July 3, a local camp-meeting was held at San Jose. This was a large meeting for a local one. There were one hundred and seventy-five tents upon the ground, and they were all occupied. This meeting was devoted entirely to instruction in the truth, to adults, youth, and children. It was my privilege to speak six times during the meeting—twice to the children, and four times in the large pavilion to adults. Brother Irwin was with us, and rendered efficient service during the entire meeting. Parents’ meetings were held, in which much useful instruction was given. Sister White spoke a number of times with great freedom, not only to our own people, but at times when crowds of outside people were assembled. Most of the ministers of the California Conference were in attendance to take part in the services. A good interest was created by the camp-meeting, which is being followed by a tent-meeting on the camping-grounds.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.