CAUSE IN CALIFORNIA by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 29, 1880

CAUSE IN CALIFORNIA.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

TWELVE years ago this present month Elders Loughborough and Bourdeau landed in San Francisco with their church tent. They immediately entered upon the work of proclaiming the great gospel message for our time. A few individuals scattered about the State were observing the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, as a fulfillment of the prophecy of Rev. 14:12.

It was in the autumn of 1872 that Eld. White and wife made their first trip to this coast. They attended the first camp-meeting held in the autumn of that year at Windsor, Sonoma county. That visit did much to give permanency to the work. In June, 1874 the first number of the SIGNS was issued at Oakland, California. This marked an important era in the history of the cause. The

PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION

was organized the following year. The primary object of the Association was to print our pioneer sheet and publish denominational works, and no other printing should ever take the place of this. But it was soon seen that by connecting a job department and having facilities to do first-class printing of every kind, we would be brought in contact with business men, and thereby reap many advantages. 1. It brings the knowledge of present truth before thousands of that class who would not otherwise be likely to become acquainted with it. On a neatly printed card by the side of the front door of the main building can be seen these words: "No business transacted on Saturdays 'The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.'—Fourth Commandment." 2. By doing first-class work it recommends the institution and its religious character. I have visited printing houses in Washington Territory, Oregon, and various parts of this State, and yet I have not found the place where they were not acquainted with this printing house. "They do splendid work there." "That printing house is a bee hive." "They are singular in their religious ideas, but it is an honorable, first-class printing house." These and similar remarks I have heard, but never have I heard an expression derogatory to its character. 3. All profit arising from the outside work is appropriated to the institution itself, for the object designed in its establishment. No individual is benefited any farther than the wages he receives. Those holding responsible positions labor at a pecuniary sacrifice, the compensation for labor being much less than in worldly institutions.

Like our other institutions, many obstacles have had to be met in trying to keep up a proper religious tone and a true spirit of sacrifice, and at the same time to make it a first-class printing establishment. Elder White's familiar statement that "no second-class job should ever be done by a Seventh-day Adventist," is true, and will bear repeating frequently. Experience has suggested improvements that should be made in order to do first-class work, so that from time to time expense has been incurred in meeting this demand.

There has been no time in the history of the office when more important changes have been effected than during the present season. W. C. White, who has had much experience while laboring with his parents, whom God has seen fit to call to act a prominent part in this work, has been laboring with success to perfect certain branches which were already commenced. Each department is now well organized, and has at its head experienced workmen. Additional help in the counting-room, however, is much needed.

It requires a visit to the place and an examination of the work done, to convince anyone who is acquainted with the business that the job department, under its present management, is a success. The bindery is now prepared to furnish as good work of every kind as any on the coast. Beside the regular work, Bibles and other choice books are brought almost daily to be rebound. It is in charge of one of our faith, who is as skillful a workman as can be found in the country.

Certain improvements have been made about the office which will greatly facilitate the work. The increasing press of work has made it necessary to purchase a new cylinder press. Within one year from the arrival of the press,—with the present prosperity of the office,—all the improvements made this year, press included, can be paid for by the earnings of the office. When the proper time arrives, in consequence of the improvements made this season, a room can be fitted up for a school, which is so much needed on this coast. We hope the day is not far distant when our brethren in California will have in their midst many of the educational advantages which can now only be had at Battle Creek, Michigan. Last, but not least, is the increasing demand for our denominational works. Our State Tract Society has sold during the last quarter over $750 worth of publications. Over two hundred thousand pages of tracts have been printed (including those now in press) within the last three months.

In looking over the Conference accounts, we find the money received during the entire Conference year of 1878-79 amounted to about $2,800 excepting Oakland and San Francisco. A special move was made last season to have our friends adopt the Bible method of supporting the gospel; many have done so, and the result is that during the nine months of the present Conference year the receipts have been $3,395. It should be remembered that the remaining portion of the year is that in which our brethren receive returns for their crops, and of course the amount received will be in proportion as their tithes increase. Since our camp-meeting last fall, about one hundred have embraced the Sabbath, as the result of tent labor and missionary work. May God give success to his truth and his people in this State.

A fact worthy of notice is, that our office, like the institutions at Battle Creek, is a safe place in which our brethren and sisters can deposit their means. The association is owned by stockholders, who draw no premium on their stock, it being upon a charitable basis. The money invested is used for the spread of the truth, therefore the financial safety of the institution is really based upon the success of the truth. Any institution founded on such a basis, devoted to the promulgation of the truth of the Bible, is the safest place in which to invest our means that can exist. Those, therefore, who make deposits in such an institution accomplish two things: 1. Make a safe deposit of their means; 2. Have the consolation that the means God has lent them is being used directly in his work. Last spring we were paying one per cent a month for much money used by the Association. At present we are not paying over ten per cent a year for any, and many of our friends are loaning, either without interest or at a very low rate, so that we are continually reducing even this. We have reason to thank God for the present outlook. What is most lacking in California is a spirit of devotion in the hearts of our brethren. If God be with us, we are well able to take the goodly land. His word is, Go forward. This, with God's help, we are determined to do.

S. N. HASKELL.