MEETING AT SANTA ROSA by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 22, 1880

MEETING AT SANTA ROSA.

By S. N. Haskell

THERE was quite a general attendance, on the Sabbath, of the friends from Stony Point, Healdsburg, Forestville, and Petaluma, while nearly all remained over Sunday. The preaching was close and practical. Sister White enjoyed her usual freedom. Her testimony in the business meeting, as one point after another came up, was well calculated to give one a realizing sense of the great work in which we are engaged, and show the importance of educating ourselves and children to bear the burdens of life, and thus be qualified to bear responsibilities in the service of God.

At one of our meetings, out of thirty-eight present, thirty-five signed the following dress pledge:—

"Realizing the evils of following the fashions of the world in point of dress, especially its ruinous effects upon the youth, therefore we pledge ourselves, before God, to abstain from the wearing of gold and artificial, which are worn simply to adorn the body, and we will by our practice and teaching exemplify the words of the apostle in 1 Peter 3:3, 4, and 1 Tim. 2:9."

Sunday night at the close of a discourse from Sister White on the evils of intemperate habits, a Health and Temperance club was organized, with R. A. Morton leader, and Sister C. Hurley secretary. There are thirty-eight members, of whom thirty-seven have signed the teetotal pledge.

Could there be more general meetings in this State, where the enterprises connected with this work could be talked over with our brethren, and the practical duties of life be laid before them, it would be of great value to the cause on this coast. If there had been another day spent, as was Sunday, much more benefit would have been derived from the meeting. But many of our brethren are in too much of a hurry to leave for their homes. The cares of this life are so pressing that the education in divine things, which is necessary to become intelligent workers in the cause of God, cannot be acquired.

The friends who remained throughout the meetings expressed themselves as much encouraged, designing to commence anew in the service of God.

S. N. HASKELL.