RED BLUFF AND CHICO, CAL
By M. C. Israel
DEC. 24, I visited the church at Red Bluff, and remained over two Sabbaths. Brethren W. C. Grainger and E. J. Waggoner had been holding meetings in this district since the camp-meeting. We held meetings with the church on Sabbath, Dec. 25, and Sabbath and Sunday, Jan. 1, 2, at which time the church quarterly meeting was held. Considerable discouragement had been caused by the disorderly walk of some who had been considered leading members of the church. Some of these were disfellowshipped, and a course taken with others to bring about a better condition of things. The Lord blessed in the efforts put forth. We had an excellent meeting. Bro. D. S. Hemstreet was elected and ordained elder. All present joined in celebrating the ordinances and felt to take new courage in the Lord and to strive more earnestly for eternal life. We had a very interesting Sabbath-school. At the T. & M. meeting on Sunday, seven Signs were added to the club already taken, also six of the Danish and five of the German paper. Fifteen dollars was also raised to send Signs to Bro. Loughborough in England. The church now numbers sixteen. Several of these are absent. They have purchased the new Episcopal church, and intend to fit it up for holding meetings and Sabbath-school the coming summer. Jan. 8, 9, we met with the brethren at Chico, who had been brought out by the labors of Elder Rice and Brn. Morton and Grainger. Held a two days' meeting, and visited what we could during our short stay. Quite a number had signed the covenant, a part of whom were still striving to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. A church was organized, and Bro. Geo. De Forest appointed leader. Regular meetings were appointed, and Sabbath-school officers elected.33The quarterly meeting of Dist. No. 6 was held here on Sunday. Quite a good report of labor was given. The V. M. Society use forty copies of the SIGNS. Both these churches have a good supply of our publications on hand, nearly all have signed the teetotal and tithing pledges, and are members of the T. & M. Society. A further effort will be made to extend the circulation of our periodicals. We pray that these brethren may be enabled to put on the whole armor of God, and be found among the overcomers when the Master comes. M. C. ISRAEL.