Three Important Meetings by William Clarence White

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 17, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 16.

Three Important Meetings.

By William Clarence White

It is seldom that we have three meetings combined of so interesting a character as those appointed to begin the last of this week in Oakland. Our work is growing rapidly in all its branches. The College, the Conference, the Missionary, and the Publishing work are widening their range of operation, and increasing their force of laborers; and yet there never was a time when the opportunities for labor were so far in advance of our plans and facilities as at present.

There are so many urgent calls for labor in new fields that our ministers can spend but little time with the churches, and thus our general meetings become very important.

The Bible-readings to be held in connection with the annual meeting of the Publishing Association will be a rare occasion. These begin Friday evening, April 18th, and will be conducted by Elders J. H. Waggoner, J. N. Loughborough, H. A. St. John, and E. J. Waggoner. These meetings are proving to be a great blessing to our people, for by many the Bible truths are more easily understood when presented in this manner, and are more firmly fixed in the memory.

One of the best features of these meetings has been the early morning prayer and social meeting held before breakfast. At the General Conference, and at South Lancaster, Wellsville, and Healdsburg these were marked seasons of blessing. It is expected that Sister White will be present and assist in conducting these early social meetings.

One meeting each day will probably be devoted to the Conference and Tract Society work. In these meetings instruction will be given in the canvassing and colporter work. All persons who intend to engage in these branches of the work should come and get the full benefit of the meetings.

The State Tract Society usually holds its spring quarterly meeting in connection with the annual meeting of the Publishing Association. If the reports are not delayed, the Tract Society meetings will be held Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. We hope our districts will be generally represented.

THE ASSOCIATION MEETING.

The Annual Meeting of the Publishing Association will be one of more than usual interest. Our own work has increased largely during the last year, and our facilities, which a year or two ago appeared amply large for any emergency, are now altogether too limited for our rapidly-increasing work. We hope to see a large majority of the stock represented by our brethren in person.

A large and regular attendance is expected from the Oakland and San Francisco churches. As far as possible, all work in the Office will be suspended.

This will be the largest meeting of the kind we shall have in the State; and the last before our leading ministers scatter to their fields of summer labor.

We invite our brethren and sisters from all parts of the State to attend these meetings from the very first day to the close. The Oakland Church is making ample provision for your entertainment. Those who can should bring some bedding with them.

Those newly come into the faith will find this a rare opportunity to gain instruction on all points of present truth; we especially invite them to this meeting. To our brethren of experience we would say: your counsel and assistance is needed in these meetings, and we earnestly request your presence from the beginning to the close. W. C. WHITE.