G. B. THOMPSON by George B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 6, 1906

G. B. THOMPSON

By George B. Thompson

California

After the excellent camp-meeting at Oakland I remained a few days with Elders Hibbard and Gardner, who with other workers were following up the interest awakened by the camp-meeting. Quite a number were interested, some of whom will doubtless obey.

I also had the privilege of visiting Mountain View and seeing the ruins of the Pacific Press Publishing Co.'s printing plant. As I stood amid the smoking embers, I felt inexpressibly sad, yet I rejoiced to know that this message does not consist of material things, such as we can see, but is a life, a power; it is the gospel for saving men's souls. It uses material things in its work, but it depends on none of these for the accomplishment of its work. And while the Press is gone, its work remains, and if possible it is more urgent and important than ever before; and what seems like disaster the Lord will use to advance his cause. The enemy once captured the ark containing the original copy of the decalogue written with the finger of God, but even this did not retard the work of God. The brethren of the Press were taking hold courageously, and the work was moving on, and we feel confident that God can and will cause the ruin wrought by the fire to work for the advancement of the message committed to our hands.

Before the camp-meeting at Los Angeles I had the privilege of visiting several places in the Southern California Conference by arrangement of Elder G. W. Reaser. I spent one day at Fernando, speaking to the church in the evening. A teachers' institute was in progress here, under the direction of Prof. E. S. Ballenger. Nearly all the teachers in the conference were in attendance. A strong and effective work in educational lines is being carried forward in the conference. Sabbath and Sunday, August 11, 12, I spent with the church at San Diego, and spoke three times. I found a large company of earnest believers here. While here I visited the Paradise Valley Sanitarium at National City, six miles from San Diego, and held one service with the helpers and patients. This is a most excellent institution, located amid pleasant surroundings, and in a climate as good, perhaps, as this world affords. It was enjoying a fair patronage.

I next visited the Loma Linda Sanitarium. This is indeed a beautiful place. In addition to the sanitarium work which will be carried forward here, steps are being taken to establish a training-school for evangelical medical missionary work. This institution doubtless will become a strong factor in the development of our medical work.

It was my privilege to attend the first part of the camp-meeting in Los Angeles; but as others will report this meeting, I will not enter into details, further than to say that from the first it was a most excellent meeting. The attendance was large, and a good spirit was present. It was especially encouraging to note the deep interest in the foreign missionary work. Though burdened with local business matters of great importance on account of the large institutions located among them, one of the first items of business brought forward was a recommendation appropriating five thousand dollars of surplus tithe for the foreign work. This was passed by a rising vote of the entire congregation. I left this meeting before it closed, to attend the Oklahoma meeting at Kingfisher.