REPORT FROM CALIFORNIA.
By Daniel T. Bourdeau
Since reporting last, I have endeavored to follow up the interest in this place by laboring publicly and from house to house. I have spoken on Our Duty to the Children, Systematic Benevolence, Organization, The Gift of Prophecy as brought to view in the Bible, and especially as developed among us, The Work of Elijah, and the Health and Dress Reforms. All seemed to be highly pleased with our views of church order and organization, and with the Bible plan of supporting the gospel as based upon the following words: “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” 1 Cor. xvi, 1, 2. We had two reasons for taking up these subjects at this time: 1. We feared that if we waited until the rainy season, the roads would be so bad that we could not get all the brethren together. 2. If we spoke on these subjects now, the brethren would think upon them during our absence, and might be prepared to act with reference to them, when we return to the place to labor. In regard to the other subjects, they were as well appreciated as could be expected. Indeed, we were surprised to see them so generally received. Last Sabbath I completed the organization of a Bible Class and Sabbath School, and appointed a leader. We have five classes in the Sabbath School. Our companions have the charge of two of these classes. The exercises in both the Bible Class and Sabbath School are deeply interesting. Some children and adults who do not keep the Sabbath take part in these exercises. The brethren here greatly need a meeting-house, and talk of building one in about six months. This will add to the interest, and open the way for another course of lectures, which, we expect, will result in much good, if those who have already come out on the Sabbath live consistent lives. I am about to leave Petaluma, to join Bro. Loughborough in the work at Windsor. For the present our companions will remain at Petaluma. May the Lord be with them and with the brethren and sisters, especially in their Sabbath meetings and in their weekly270prayer-meetings. We hope to hear that these are kept up, and that all are laboring to draw nearer the Lord, and engage fully in the work of the last message of mercy. We have other openings before us. Still pray that God may guide and sustain us. And may the work go on until many companies of believers are raised up in California, whose interest and labors will be blended with those of our brethren abroad in the furtherance of the cause of truth. Petaluma, Cal., Nov. 16, 1868.