REPORT FROM CALIFORNIA.
By D. T. Bourdeau
Two Sabbaths have passed since the last report from this place was written. The interest has been steadily increasing, and the work has been deepening. Between twenty-five and thirty have already embraced the Sabbath, and many more are leaning toward the truth. A recent discussion on the Sabbath question between Bro. Loughborough and Eld. McCorkal, a Disciple preacher, has served to raise the interest still higher. This discussion was held in a large barn in the Piner-district, last Monday and Tuesday, before a large concourse of people from the surrounding country and from Santa Rosa. God helped Bro. L., and the victory of truth was complete. Many who came to the discussion with prejudice, left us with a friendly feeling, convinced that we had the truth on the Sabbath, and anxious to hear further on the subject. Never did the truth seem so precious to us as at this discussion. Never did we feel so sensible of the divine aid, that God was working. Never did we see so great a revolution in so short a time. Though our opponent used boasting, jests, and rashness, manifested a defiant, and overbearing spirit, of which some of his own members were ashamed, we felt shielded by a heavenly influence. Many have asked for a copy of Bro. L.'s summing up speech, but as we have not time to write so much, we have promised to prepare this speech, with the main positions taken, for the REVIEW, which will satisfy all, and give those who take the REVIEW a feeling that this periodical is emphatically their paper. We have decided to hold a general meeting of the Sabbath-keepers of Petaluma, Windsor, San Francisco, and Santa Rosa, in this place, in a week from next Sabbath and Sunday, for the general encouragement of the believers, to attend to the ordinance of baptism, labor for the salvation of souls, and decide upon the place where we shall commence tent operations, etc., in about three weeks. We have several places before us. God direct. Brethren and sisters, our hearts are encouraged. The hardest blows to start the work on this coast have been struck. The message is commanding the attention of the people. God is raising up friends, who have the cause at heart, and will sustain it. The work is being cut short. The people are working fast, and laying aside their idols, even before we touch them. Sinners are being converted. I believe the loud cry is right upon us. We want to keep humble. We never felt so much of the compelling power, to move us out to trust in God, and venture out in his name. Pray for us. God is strengthening us physically.