THE FIRST CALIFORNIA STATE GATHERING OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS.
By D. T. Bourdeau
This gathering was held in the Mission Tent, not far from the Piner school-house, and in the township of Santa Rosa, last Sabbath and first-day, the 10th and 11th inst., and consisted of the brethren and sisters in this place, three loads of Sabbath-keepers from Petaluma, including a brother and sister from San Francisco, and as many loads of brethren and sisters from Windsor. There were about sixty Sabbath-keepers present. The exercises commenced with a prayer-and-social meeting at the commencement of the Sabbath, in which several took part. This was followed by a discourse on the proper observance of the Sabbath, and some of the benefits resulting therefrom. Sabbath morning, at 9 o'clock, there was a lively and interesting prayer-and-social meeting, raising the work and interest a good step higher. At half past 10, a timely discourse was given by Bro. Loughborough from the following words of the Saviour: “For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matt. xvi, 26. At half past 12, P. M., preparatory to attending to the ordinance of baptism, and for the further promotion of Christian love among the believers, we spoke on the subject of the affections from these words: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in glory.” Col. iii, 1–4. At 6 P. M., we had another good prayer-and-conference meeting. This was followed by a clear and instructive presentation of the subject of Bible memorials, by Bro. Loughborough, especially that of the Lord's supper, that of the Lord's humility, and that of baptism, a previous discourse having been devoted to the subject of baptism. Sunday morning, at half past 10, we all repaired to a stream on the farm of Bro. Lee, being two and a half miles from the tent, and midway between the tent and Santa Rosa, to attend to the ordinance of baptism. We found a very large concourse of people assembled on both sides of the stream, many of whom had never heard on our position. Bro. Loughborough gave a twenty minutes' speech on baptism. Then we baptized fifteen willing souls. Much respect was shown us by the crowd, and best of all, we realized the presence of the Holy Spirit, which rendered the scene solemn and affecting. Many bystanders were in tears. At the close of the exercises it was announced that, the Lord willing, the tent would be pitched at Santa Rosa, Thursday, the 22d inst. At about 12 M., an encouraging and interesting discourse was given to a tent full of attentive hearers, on the glorious restitution, from Acts iii, 21. Following this discourse, and before dismissing the assembly, we had a short business meeting, and organized a State Meeting to meet the wants of the cause until further organization is needed. We had three objects in view in establishing a simple State organization: 1. To promote unanimity of action, and avoid confusion; 2. To head off the cry of speculation; and, 3. To refute the idea of the “one-man power.” What is everybody's business is nobody's business, and is very liable to be poorly attended to. Again, when preachers report their receipts and expenses at each State Meeting it seems that we should be very unwise to thus lay ourselves open to the inspection of the brethren if our aim was to use deception, and secretly make a fortune. But if we pursued an opposite course, if we thought ourselves competent to move forward without the aid and counsel of our brethren then might there be a plausibility in crying, “Speculation,” and “The one man power.” To meet the idea that we might be moving on our own account, without being sent by our people, our credentials were read. A preacher should have his calling of God. But if God calls a man to preach, the church will know it, and give him their sanction, in harmony with the example of the primitive church. At 6 P. M., another interesting social meeting. Then a discourse on the seven churches by Bro. Loughborough, at the close of which an appeal was made for those who wanted to serve the Lord to come forward on to the front seats, that we might pray for them. Several responded and spoke, some for the first time. It was a good season. The Spirit of the Lord was present, and souls confessed their sins, breaking down before God. And with this interesting and impressive season the good meeting closed. As the result of this general gathering, all the brethren and sisters have formed new and pleasant acquaintances, which have endeared them to each other. All have been strengthened and encouraged, and as far as we have had an opportunity to ascertain, the expectations of the believers have been more than realized; their interest and confidence in this work have increased, and they see the benefits of general gatherings, and will long to attend another State Meeting. Meanwhile may we all remember past benefits, and the increased responsibilities and obligations that they impose upon us. May we pray and labor for each other, and for the advancement of the cause of truth, that we may overcome selfishness, grow in the love of God, and advance in brotherly love, that our next general gathering may present a great increase in numbers, and a corresponding growth in grace as well as in the knowledge of the truth. As far as we can ascertain, about forty in this section have come out on the Sabbath. Many of these have found the special favor of God, in giving up the world and trying to make thorough work for the kingdom. Several have been converted from the world, and backsliders have been reclaimed; but the work is not done. We want to see more move out thoroughly, and without reserve. For this object we are visiting and holding meetings through the week. We expect that others will be baptized next Sunday. When we came to Petaluma we knew of but one in this county who was keeping the Sabbath. Now we know of about seventy-five who are trying to keep all of God's commandments, and prepare for the coming of Christ. Since last August we have been enabled to hold upwards of two hundred and fifty meetings, and to make in all about four hundred calls. Yet the Lord sustains us, and we feel that the work is greatly increasing on our hands. It is not a small enterprise to raise up the people on all points of the truth; to patiently bear with and teach the people, and keep the work moving. Man cannot do this. God must work. If the Lord was not on our side we might despair of seeing a people prepared for Christ's coming. When shut up to ourselves, to a sense of our own weakness with reference to the magnitude of the work, we feel as though we should succumb under the weight of our responsibilities. But when we bear in mind that God is in this work, and remember his mighty workings in behalf of his truth, and for the salvation of souls, we are encouraged to trust in him, and do what we can, casting our burdens upon him. Satan would hinder the work at every step, and we have many adversaries in every place. Brethren, still pray for us, and for the success of the message in California. Santa Rosa, Cal., April 16, 1869.