Santa Clara County by Editor

California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists · Oakland, Cal. · Dec 3, 1874

Santa Clara County.

By Editor

We take the liberty to publish the following extracts from three good private letters received by Bro. Canright from Santa Clara Co.

Bro. Kundert of San Jose writes, Nov. 10th, "We had a good meeting here last Sabbath. The brethren and sisters seemed to take hold with the right spirit, and some are getting rid of their idols."

Bro. Stephens writes from Santa Clara, Nov. 12th. "Dear Brother, I have felt so happy for the last few days, that I thought I would write to let you know what the Lord is doing for us in Santa Clara. Our hearts are now very hopeful, and we feel that we will shortly have more Sabbath keepers. There has been a society started here for debate upon Bible questions. At last the Sabbath question has been sprung. Bro. Swinnerton and I have defended the Lord's Sabbath for two Sundays, and will again next Sunday. We believe the Lord will give some fruits from it, as several are inquiring into these things to see whether they are so.

"Brn. Smith, Swinnerton, and myself have started out of evenings to visit those who are aroused on Advent doctrine, to converse with them. We hope our work will not be in vain. We hope to have a strong church at Santa Clara yet. Mrs. O. rejoices that her daughter in San Francisco has commenced to keep the Sabbath from attending meetings in the big tent. The church here remember your endeavors in their prayers."

Bro. Swinnerton writes, Nov. 11th, "We have had two discussions on the Sabbath question. None stood by me but Bro. Stephens. The Lord gave us both liberty to stand for the truth. We had opposition from Methodists, Presbyterians, Adventists, and Infidels. But I observed one queer thing; so far they have not attempted a reply to our positions.

"I have reserved my best points for the closing round, but the negative are about spun out. They have proved (?) that the Sabbath was a merciful provision for man, but not binding. That it is a yoke of bondage, but would have been a good thing for the "Jews" while in Egypt. (I guess so.) That the Sabbath has been lost, and the first day found—which is the true day. That it is impossible to keep any day, and, finally, the Sabbath has been abolished, because it was not commanded over again. Their last ditch, next Sunday, is the two covenants.

"What a soul inspiring thing truth is, is n't it? I trust you will come and see us soon, and tell us how you do. I feel determined to live and die on the altar of the Lord. Love, prayers, and sympathy for all the brethren and sisters in the truth."