Report from California by John Norton Loughborough

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 22, 1870

Report from California.

By John Norton Loughborough

My last report was made Oct. 10, just after pitching our tent in Healdsburg. Since that time I have labored in Healdsburg, excepting Oct. 22 and 23, while attending the quarterly meeting in Petaluma. Bro. Kellogg was there. We had a very good meeting at Petaluma, although there were but two Sabbath-keepers present from any other place. One was present at this meeting from Santa Rosa, who had just decided to keep all of God's commandments.

Our meeting in Healdsburg continued until Nov. 7, when our first fall rain came, which has continued about four days. We held, in all, thirty meetings. By the aid of our small bills placed in every house, advertising our subjects, our meetings started with a good audience, but several things diminished the congregation. The evenings became cold, which kept some away. Secret influences of ministers and church members, brought to bear on those whom they saw paying much attention, turned away the timid. This is altogether a different system of tactics from that employed last year, when four opposition sermons were preached, and one discussion held.

Considering all, we have had a profitable meeting to the church here, which was the great object of the meeting, giving many a chance to hear on the reasons of our hope, who heard but a few of the discourses last year. There are also other fruits of the meeting. A man and his wife from Sierra County in this State, who attended some of our meetings at Santa Rosa, and then some of the meetings here, came out on the truth, and were baptized last Sabbath. One was baptized at the same time, and united here, and one, to be united also with the Santa Rosa church. One from Petaluma decided to obey the truth and go with her relatives there to the kingdom. Thus much is already apparent as fruit of the short effort here. Still more may appear “after many days.”

Our brethren in Healdsburg have been exceedingly kind to us, in preparing a house for us to occupy during the winter, furnishing us wood at our door, and many articles of fruit and provision, free, in addition to paying their regular S. B. dues. May God bless them in their endeavors to push on the work of truth.

We are about to start for Green Valley, to attend the quarterly meeting, and to hold meetings a few days in the new meeting-house there. Then I expect to hold some meetings in the hall our brethren have purchased in Bloomfield, to get things in a more permanent shape there; and then we hope to strike for entirely new fields, as the way may open. Pray for the success of the work in all its branches, and everywhere.

J. N. Loughborough. Healdsburg, Cal., Nov. 10, 1870.