THE QUARTERLY MEETING AT OAKLAND.
By James O. Corliss
THE meetings just closed in Oakland have been to me a source of much pleasure; not simply because of the privilege of meeting so many friends of the truth—though this alone afforded me much real joy—but because of the encouragement received. The many indications of God's love for his people, and care for his cause, make the prospect for the work on this coast in the future, very cheering indeed. The many earnest calls for labor, that cannot possibly be met with the present force of laborers, and the good news of an abundant blessing bestowed on labor already being put forth, shows conclusively that God has gone out before his people in the work, and is inclining hearts toward his truth. The influence of God's Spirit is being felt, not only on the Pacific slope, but in the islands of the sea. Men, who heretofore have been considered very indifferent to all that pertains to Christianity, now rise up, and crave the privilege of doing something to assist in the work. Everywhere we see tokens of the ripening harvest. The brethren and sisters of the Oakland church have seemed to take in the situation to some extent, and in order to meet the increasing demands upon their missionary efforts, have doubled their club of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES for the coming year, thus using five hundred copies. Some very interesting letters are received from time to time, from those who receive the paper. One man wrote, expressing thanks for the SIGNS, and said he thought it so valuable a paper that he should try hard to procure a club of subscribers in the town where he lives. There were many interesting features of this good meeting that need not be mentioned here, as they have been reported by others. It is enough to say the meeting was a success. First, because of the encouragement afforded to all who attended it. Second, because of the permanent good we feel assured will follow. We cannot help believing that an era of unusual prosperity is dawning upon the work in this State. Now is the time for God's people to consecrate themselves to the work anew, and labor in unison with the spirit of the last message of mercy to the world. The meeting closed Monday evening with the ordination of Bro. Briggs to the work of the ministry, and the brethren and sisters separated, expressing themselves repaid for the time and means spent in attending it. May the good Spirit present at the meeting remain with those who enjoyed it with us, and work in all the churches among us, and thus fruit of the occasion be seen in the kingdom of God.