California Camp-Meeting.
By Editor
OUR late camp-meeting at San Jose was the largest ever held in the State, and, all things considered, probably the most successful one. Certainly it was a time of hard labor. Though the time was quite long—from the evening of the 6th to the morning of the 18th—we found no time to spare; the last days were the most busy. We felt some regret that so much business had to be crowded into the closing days. We are impressed with the idea that the California Conference is becoming one of the heaviest and most important in the United States. Not the largest in point of numbers, but important in its geographical position as related to the islands in the Pacific, and in its relation to the missionary work of the Third Angel’s Message. The preaching force was not very large, taking into consideration the physical condition of several of the preachers. Eld. Rice has failed in health, and intends to go to the Sanitarium at Battle Creek. All efforts made thus far to restore his health have failed, and he thinks that unless future efforts prove more successful, he cannot continue in public labor. He preached once. Eld. Healey was in poor health; and we went to the meeting in such a worn state that it was with difficulty we passed through the labors of the meeting. We fainted once in the pulpit, not so much from sickness as from sheer exhaustion. But the Lord mercifully granted strength in all our efforts to declare his word. Besides the above, the preaching was done by Elders Haskell, Briggs, Ballou, Colcord, and the assistant editor of the SIGNS. The preaching covered a wide range of subjects, but bore largely on prophecy, the advent, and the law and Sabbath. Most of it was well suited to the occasion, being given with earnestness, and the matter presented being well calculated to instruct and to incite to an increase of faith, zeal, and consecration to the work. As was expressed, God blesses with his Spirit and grace, not merely for our own personal benefit, not that we may enjoy a happy state of feeling, but that we may be better qualified to work in his cause. The social meetings were spirited, generally giving evidence of a deep and thorough work, but free from the least appearance of fanatical excitement. The children’s meetings were unusually interesting and fruitful of good. The number baptized at this meeting—fourteen on Sunday, the 16th, and fifty-three on Monday, the 17th, sixty-seven in all—was unexpectedly large; among these were many young people, members of the various Sabbath-schools. We have, at every opportunity, tried to impress upon the officers and teachers of these schools the necessity of putting forth strong efforts to make them what they have so often been called, “the nursery of the church.” The responsibility of our churches is greatly increased by this movement on the part of the young at the late camp-meeting. It becomes the duty of the members—not to watch them, merely, but to watch over and lead these young persons in the way of church duty and Christian life. No doubt there are fears entertained in some cases; and these fears may be suffered to hold in check that generous aid which the young so much need. If it shall prove that there were some mistakes made, that some went forward without proper consideration, we will only say that we wish no mistakes were ever made in the baptism of adults. But mistakes in such cases are many. We think that in many instances where children are baptized and afterward backslide, the fault is largely due to neglect on the part of the parents, and of the church and its officers. We all need encouragement; these young people must have it. Their salvation depends upon it. If they go astray by reason of neglect, a terrible responsibility will lie at somebody’s door. But it sometimes happens that young persons offer themselves for baptism when it is known that their hearts are not really affected, and they do not real ly understand the solemn importance of the step which they propose to take. In all such cases it is the duty of those who understand them to interfere, and the parents and guardians of such youth ought to be truly thankful for the interference. The duties of the parents at a camp-meeting may possibly be such that they have not the best opportunities to know what has been the course of their children, or what is the true state of their minds. Parents ought to be more watchful to learn the motives and the condition of the children. And it is expected that most parents will look with some partiality upon their own offspring; but they must remember, when they come to church relations, that God has no partiality; that he is no respecter of persons. The business meetings were, as usual, characterized by great unanimity and good feeling. We think we were never in a meeting of the kind where there was manifested a stronger purpose to sink out of sight all considerations but the prosperity of the cause of truth. It is very evident that there are many within the bounds of the California Conference who not only sincerely believe in the Third Angel’s Message, but evidently love it, and are ever ready to sacrifice for it. Yet we would not use the word “sacrifice” too lightly, for the number is quite small, even among Seventh-day Adventists, who have “resisted unto blood, striving against sin,” or, for the sake of the truth, have really deprived themselves of earthly comforts. Most of them have but given what could be spared without discomfort. And were all to give according to the divine rule—their tithe, “as God has prospered them”—there would be no necessity for any to give as the poor widow did, and the cause would be abundantly supported. The amount raised at this meeting, about $20,000, is comparatively large, but not too large. The cause of present truth has strong claims upon the people of the California Conference. The providence of God has located the “pioneer paper” here, in the most eligible position in the State; and thereby we are placed at the very head and heart of the missionary work. A successful seaman’s mission has been established here. A college has sprung almost into the strength of maturity in two years from the time of taking the first step, or rather of passing the first resolution, for its being established; and this school is conducted on a basis which all approve, and it has already commenced furnishing workers in the missionary field. The isles of the Pacific are looking to California for help, and steps were taken at San Jose to open a mission in the Sandwich Islands. If not done sooner, we expect that steps will be taken at our next camp-meeting to establish missions in New Zealand and Australia. This is a great work, and it must and will be done. We are looking to see rapid advances to be made in the future. Everything betokens an early revival of this cause. We believe the time has come, and great faithfulness is demanded of this people. The visit of Bro. Colcord to this Conference will be of benefit to the work in his important field. We hope that hereafter visitors may be sent to and from all our Pacific Coast Conferences. By such an interchange of representatives, they may prove a help and encouragement to each other. In the past it has been impossible for California to help Nevada. Our lack of laborers prevented. But with the better prospect presented by the success of Healdsburg College, we think that something may hereafter be done for that field. The delegates from Nevada took new courage, and we believe they will not be disappointed in looking for better days. The wants of the cause seemed to make it absolutely necessary that the course of Bible teachings in the College extend through a good part of the school year. But the nature of our work in the Office made it impossible for us to be absent for so long a time. And our failing health makes it impossible for us to do justice to the College work, and keep up our necessary writing for the SIGNS and for other works. In this emergency it was decided that our son, E. J. W., should spend the winter at the College in our stead, commencing his labors there Oct. 1. Personally we could only regret this, as he has proved an able and efficient “assistant” in the editorial work of the SIGNS, and we greatly need him here. But for the good of the general cause we give him up without a murmur. He can serve the work in Healdsburg as we could not, with our other burdens which, we cannot now lay off. At the closing meeting of the camp-meeting he was set apart to the Christian ministry, having been recommended for ordination at a previous meeting of the Conference by the President, and accepted, first by a vote of the delegates, and then by a vote of the entire congregation. While we are fully in accord with this step, and rejoice in his calling to places of usefulness in this glorious cause, we believe that his field of duty will be found mostly in the College or in the Office as editor. During his absence, Bro. Glenn, who has for years been connected with the work in Oakland, will assist us on the SIGNS. Our son will, however, continue his charge of the Sabbath-school Department, and write up the page devoted to that important work. So that our readers will not altogether lose the benefit of his labors on the paper. We firmly believe that this camp-meeting will prove, in its results, the best ever held in this State. We send words of good cheer to our readers. We are hopeful of the future. True, we are laboring under difficulties; but we know that God is above circumstances, and the work is his, and he will carry it on to certain victory.