REPORT FROM CALIFORNIA by John Norton Loughborough; D. T. Bourdeau

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 22, 1868

REPORT FROM CALIFORNIA.

By John Norton Loughborough; D. T. Bourdeau

About one week has elapsed since the last report was made by us, and as we have made some progress in our meetings we will make a brief report of the same. Since our last report we have given eight discourses in the tent. The two last were upon the Sabbath question. Instead of these discourses detracting from the interest of the meeting, as some expressed fears that this subject would, we found that it worked about the same as in other States, serving to raise the interest to a still higher pitch. We have held in all, now in this place, fifteen meetings in the tent; and there has been a steady increase in interest from the commencement of our meeting. We commenced, as stated in our last report, with forty for our congregation; last evening our 60 feet tent was full.

The interest has not only been manifested by good attendance, but by an eagerness on the part of the people to read on the truths they have heard. We have already sold over $43.00 worth, in silver, of our publications, although the meeting has been in progress but eleven days.

As the report went out, in the first place, that we were Mormons, as we advertised ourselves as elders, and no other ministers denominate themselves as elders here but the Mormons, it became necessary to put a note into the Journal and Argus, of Petaluma, correcting the matter. So the Editor said, at our request, in his editorial the day the meeting commenced, “Messrs. Loughborough and Bourdeau, who have pitched their tent on the property of C. A. Hugh, near Lippitt’s new school-building, are Adventists from the State of Michigan, and come among us thoroughly commended by the Society of which they are members.” The Editor, and several of “the Journal” printers, have attended many of our meetings. Last week a notice was made, by the Editor, of our meeting as follows:

“INTERESTING. The tent-meeting being held by the Adventists in this place is well attended, and some of the discourses are very interesting.”

The people begin to come in to talk with us on what they hear, and to invite us to visit them. Of course as to how the matter will terminate here we cannot tell. We shall try to labor on, looking to the Lord for his blessing to follow our efforts. It is by his Spirit that the work must be carried on. If we move in the channel of simplicity and truth, we believe success will attend us in our labors.

The people are very kind to us, and have furnished us with apples, pears, plums, peaches, blackberries, &c., to that extent of liberality that we have had no occasion to buy these things since our meetings commenced.

We learn that a Mr. Lippitt, who is just starting a Methodist College in this place, has given out an appointment for next Sunday evening, proposing to prove that Sunday is the Christian Sabbath. Of course we shall try to hear with our congregation, and give due attention to the matter. He appears as our first opponent in California, and as he has the reputation of being the most learned man in Sonoma Co., we suppose he will do the best he can for the Sunday cause.

Of course many will look with interest to the coming discourse to have their Sunday cause built up. Meanwhile we shall try to still hold forth the truth in the fear of God, looking to him to seal conviction on many hearts. Still requesting you to remember us in our mission, we remain your brethren in Christ.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH, D. T. BOURDEAU. Petaluma, Cal., Aug. 25, 1868.