THE State Quarterly meeting held in Oakland on Sunday, April 24, was the most interesting one that it has ever been our privilege to attend. Details and statistics are noticed elsewhere. They were of the deepest interest to all present. We never saw the great importance of our Tract and Missionary work as we see it now. We are thankful that, in the providence of God, societies have been organized to carry it forward; and if a spirit of consecration and humility characterizes these workers, God will surely bless and prosper his work in their hands. When the SIGNS OF THE TIMES was started in Oakland, many persons were ready to question the wisdom and propriety of our having two publishing houses; and we remember that we then received letters of inquiry on this point, though not then connected with the Office. But time has dispelled all doubts on the subject, and shown that this step was wise and timely. We have, at this port, facilities for furnishing our publications to foreign countries, which could not be excelled at any point in the United States. We find sea-captains who are ready to carry our publications in bulk to other nations, and take a real interest in their transportation. The cost of freight on white paper is small, and when this paper is turned into paper-tracts, pamphlets, and books, it is all ready to be circulated on the ships in our harbor, or sent to the nations of the earth by the cheapest transportation which the world affords. It is unfortunate that our country, for which we have only feelings of loyalty, has been divided, both politically and religiously, into a North and a South, and that feelings of prejudice have existed in each toward the other. But the population of California is so cosmopolitan that these feelings do not affect our work here. We have in this State the whole United States represented in one commonwealth. This gives us opportunities which we could not find in any other part of the world. Our ship missionary work is very fast increasing in magnitude. As the missionary becomes more experienced in the work, it seems that the Spirit of God is opening the hearts of sea-faring men, both officers and sailors, to listen to the truth. Our hearts were cheered and filled with gratitude as these matters came up before the meeting. May the Lord bless the workers and prosper this precious, holy cause. While the nations of the earth are engaged in contentions with one another, and in preparations for the impending war, the work of the third angel's message is increasing in power; the "silent messengers" are going to the ends of the world, laying the foundation of a mighty and a glorious work ere long to be done. And they who aid the work now will have the satisfaction of knowing that it is their own work when God shall lighten the earth with the glory of the closing message. Brethren and sisters, fellow-workers all, be not disheartened. Your expectation of our Lord's coming will not lead to disappointment. We have the message of the third and last angel, to be followed by the appearing of the Son of man to reap the harvest of the earth. And "now is our salvation nearer than when we believed." We need not say or feel that our Lord delayeth his coming. The "sure word of prophecy" attests that "he is near, even at the doors." And our prayer is that he will hasten the day.