Southern California by William Ambrose Spicer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 9, 1909

Southern California

By William Ambrose Spicer

The Southern California conference and camp-meeting was held in South Hollywood, a suburb of Los Angeles. It was a large meeting — about three hundred tents pitched — and a good meeting. A tent effort in the place had preceded the camp-meeting, and a number had taken their stand for the Sabbath. The interest was good, and from night to night the large tent was filled as the special themes of the message were presented. Three new churches were received into the conference. There is encouraging growth in Southern California. Meetings were held for the German brethren by Elder H. Shultz, and for the Mexican believers by Elder E. L. Cardey, assisted by Brother Placencia.

The conference had recently given two thousand dollars from its tithe for missions, and at this meeting added to this gift twenty-five hundred dollars more, the larger portion of what they had. And it was most heartily voted to authorize the committee to arrange the work as soon as possible so that one fourth the tithe may go regularly to the mission fields. The people gave also in cash and short-time pledges about two thousand dollars to missions during the meeting, and several thousand more is promised if certain prospects are realized by one or two who are expecting to get hold of means shortly. The hearts of the people are with the missionary advance.

We were all glad to find Sister J. N. Anderson, of China, so far recovered that she was present at the meeting and gave talks on the great Chinese field that laid a very real burden to help upon all hearts.

The Lord gave abundant spiritual blessings in the meetings. Many found a new experience, and many surrenders were made. I am unable to report the number baptized; but on the last Sabbath alone, after a revival service, led by Elders E. E. Andross and Luther Warren, forty persons expressed themselves as having there made their first start in the Christian life. And the good spirit of revival was in all the services.

Elder Andross was elected president of

the conference. Elders H. W. Cottrell, J. O. Corliss, and A. O. Tait were present from the union conference, helping in the preaching and the councils.

This conference has several sanitarium interests, and encouraging reports were presented from the Loma Linda, Glendale, and Paradise Valley sanitariums. Loma Linda and Glendale I saw for the first time, and I was glad to note the true advent spirit pervading these places. By the blessing of the Lord and the co-operation of the brethren, these institutions are bound to become strong factors in the work. An offering was taken to aid the Loma Linda school and sanitarium.

The Fernando Academy celebrated its jubilee from all debt at the meeting, and it was a happy occasion. This school is turning out earnest missionaries.

Quite a number of workers from this conference will, I am sure, soon be out in the mission fields. It is plainly to be seen that Southern California is in line with every good endeavor in the advent movement, and to be in their meetings is to receive blessing and inspiration and courage for the work.

W. A. SPICER.