THE CAUSE IN CALIFORNIA.
By S. N. Haskell
I ARRIVED in Oakland the first of last week, just before the paper went to the press. I was glad to meet with the friends on the coast after an absence of a few months, and more especially was I made to rejoice to learn of the prosperity of the cause here. I find at the office, that the changes which have been brought about under the management of Bro. White have added much to its prosperity. But these changes could have accomplished but little had it not been for faithful co-laborers with him in the work, backed up by the prayers and sympathies of faithful friends throughout the State. The favor God has given this institution in the eyes of leading business men, especially in San Francisco, is a fact worthy of a most honorable mention. Truly God is good to his people in California. There is no reason why the Publishing Association on the Pacific coast should not be as prosperous and as strong an institution as any among Seventh-day Adventists; one from which the rays of light from the truth of God may find their way to the islands of the Pacific Ocean, New Zealand, Australia, and to every portion of the civilized world. Our brethren and sisters who have faithfully labored in the missionary cause, by personal efforts and the giving of their means, will never know the results of these efforts until the angels of God are sent to gather together the elect from the four corners of the earth. Then it will be said, “I know thy works.” “Well done thou good and faithful servant; because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” And upon the heads of those who have been faithful, will be placed a crown with stars representing souls saved by the sacrificing efforts put forth. The results of the labors of those in the ministry are also encouraging. God has blessed their efforts, and many, we trust, have been brought to a saving knowledge of the truth. While we consider the prospering hand of God in many respects, and feel grateful to see so much interest manifested as has been, to sustain the different branches of the work, there are some things we should never lose sight of. Our work is an aggressive one. The time never will come when the people of God will not be called upon to make sacrifices, and put forth arduous efforts to carry forward the work of God. On the contrary, it will require greater sacrifices, more earnest efforts, and increased devotion to the one common cause of our divine Lord. While there are scores and hundreds embracing the truth, they should be instructed to take stock in our Publishing Association on the Pacific coast. The Association is not free from embarrassment by any means. It is paying interest on large sums of money. Many connected with it are laboring for scarcely an allowance sufficient to meet the needs of themselves and families. This is done cheerfully, that the institution, owned and supported by our brethren, may prosper. Every week there should appear in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES a list of names of those who have not heretofore taken stock in the Association, taking from one to ten shares each. This would show a conversion to the cause of God, as well as to the theory of his work. And why should not our Publishing Association on the Pacific coast be remembered by those who have the means, while they are doing so liberally for that at Battle Creek? Our ministers should have a liberal support. Says the apostle Paul: “Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn.” He then adds: “Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written; that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.” He then makes an application of this: “If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?” 1 Cor. 9:9–14. The tenth of man’s income God claims as his, and to be used for the maintenance of his work. It is from this source the ministers are supported. And each family and individual should regard the tithe of their income as sacred as the Sabbath of the Lord. One is the Lord’s as much as the other. One pertains to the time, the other to the means, God has given us. Our pledges, or vows, to the cause of God, are also sacred. They are made to God, and not to man; and God has stated most clearly how he regards them, and those who hold them loosely. See Deut. 23:21–23; Ps. 66:13, 14; Prov. 20:25; Eccl. 5:4–6; Mal. 3:8, 9, Acts 5:1–10. If the tithe of our income, and our vows to God, are kept sacredly, then we secure to ourselves moral power and an integrity of soul, which God will approve, and we also place ourselves in the way of God’s blessing. Mal. 3:10, 11. Our camp-meeting is right upon us. At this meeting, we expect a larger gathering of our people in California than has ever before been since the truth came to this coast. Shall we not expect, at this meeting, an outpouring of God’s Spirit, such as we never have experienced in the past? If so, shall we not come to the meeting, according to the instruction God has given to his people, be prepared to redeem our vows to God, and “none appear before him empty?” Ex. 23:15, 16; 34:20, 21, 22; Deut. 16:14–16; Acts 10:2. Come to this feast, brethren and sisters, seeking God with all the heart, and none will go from the place barren, and feeling God has not met them and blessed them. Let us then prove the Lord, as he requests us to, and see if he will not pour us out a blessing until there is not room enough to receive it. Bring with you your unconverted children and neighbors, and labor for their salvation, and God will not disappoint us. S. N. HASKELL.