San Francisco, Cal by M. J. Sala

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 23, 1872

San Francisco, Cal.

By M. J. Sala

As Elds. Loughborough and Cornell have been laboring so perseveringly and faithfully for several months in this city, to win souls for Heaven, I have felt it the duty of some of us, who have been so bountifully fed from our Father’s table, to let the brethren and sisters of the home States know, through the columns of the REVIEW, a little of the progress of the labor here, without leaving all to the pens of our beloved instructors.

I do not take the task upon myself, feeling that I can do it justice; but I feel too thankful for the blessings we have received, to remain longer silent.

There is, as yet, but a little band, compared to the population of this great city. But the work is not yet completed; others are being added to our numbers, while others still are becoming interested, and reading. And as we meet from time to time to bear our testimonies, or listen to the voice of our beloved ministers, pleading, exhorting, instructing and encouraging us betimes, we have not only learned to love the “Author of all good gifts” as we have never loved him before, and to have our hearts beat in unison with those that have sacrificed so much to lead us into the light of the precious gospel truths, but we have learned to love our fellow-men, not only those who love us (“for if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye?”), but also those that would persecute and despitefully use us. We pray for them, and fain would lead them from darkness into light. For are we not all creatures of the same Creator?

Though they have become so dear to us, our Saviour is still more dear; and when they feel it their duty, in serving him, to go on their heavenly mission, I trust that not a selfish motive will remain in the heart of one of us to retain them from their duty, wherever God may guide them. But rather may we feel so truly thankful for the good they have done us, that we will bid them “Godspeed” on their errand of mercy, that they may carry the “glad tidings” to others who are slumbering in darkness, as we were a few months ago, and whose souls are as precious in the sight of our Maker as ours.

Pray for us, brethren and sisters, that we may remain faithful to our trust, “keeping the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus,” leaning upon his all-supporting arm, that we may be prepared to pass through the perils and conflicts just before us, and finally with the redeemed receive the glorious invitation, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” M. J. SALA.