California by John Norton Loughborough

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 13, 1873

California.

By John Norton Loughborough

My last report was made from Red Bluff, March 11, just after my arrival there. I tarried until April 13, holding in the time thirty-six meetings. Part of these meetings were held in Sister Healey’s neighborhood, and part of them in Bro. Wible’s neighborhood, both near Red Bluff. As the result already apparent, eight have taken their stand to keep all of God’s commandments, which, with the four who had already come out, make a company of twelve who now meet together on the Sabbath in Red Bluff. Five of these were, on the last day of my meetings, baptized in Sacramento river.

I cannot refrain from speaking here of the missionary branch of the labors at Red Bluff. Bro. Wible had moved in from Green Valley, and by circulating tracts, had awakened an interest in his neighborhood. Sister Healy, who embraced the truth in San Francisco, had circulated books and tracts to interest her neighbors. As the result of this tract distribution, I found two families already very anxious to hear. In this place, there was a family, the mother of which saw sister White on the train last fall, on their way to California. Sister White gave her some Reformers. She brought them to her son, who subscribed for it. As he had read my articles in the Reformer, when he saw my name announced for Bible lectures in Red Bluff, he decided to go and hear. As the result, the mother, son and wife, all took their stand upon the truth.

As we have come to a point where every month shows fruits here of our missionary labor, we will say a little in retrospect. When the matter of missionary labor was first presented among our people, there were some of our sisters that began to think how they might make some sacrifice, to advance this cause. They concluded that when Peter said, “Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel,” 1 Pet. 3:3, and Paul said “that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array,” 1 Tim 2: 9, they meant what they said. So they concluded to lay aside their gold, and substitute a cheaper article for such things as were necessary, such as collar pins and cuff buttons, using jet and ivory, disposing of their gold jewelry, and putting the proceeds into the missionary fund. The jewelry thus laid aside was melted into bars, and assayed, and brought, all told, over two hundred dollars in coin.

This money was invested in tracts and pamphlets, and as the result of such tract distribution, we can count, at least a score, in this State who have already embraced the truth by reading. Those who made this self-denial are none the poorer, but they do have the consolation that their appropriation of that which the Bible condemned them in wearing, has done some good.

We read that “The children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments, by the mount of Horeb.” Ex. 33:6. This is the point from which God proclaimed his law to them. As we are brought to the obedience of all his commandments, and wish to make thorough work in seeking God, how appropriate to divest ourselves of all useless adorning; and how thankful we should be that a way is opened that these, even, may be made to extend the cause of truth.

May we all seek that adorning which the apostle commends: “The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”

On my way home from Red Bluff, I spoke one evening at Woodland, and was glad to meet so many who had taken their stand since I was there before. Twenty had been baptized since the dedication; and still the good work is onward. I learn by Bro. Cornell’s letter, last night, that thirteen more have united with the church, ten of whom are to be baptized. This raises the number of Woodland church to forty-seven.

I met with a few at San Francisco, and at Petaluma, spending an evening at each place; and these were glad to learn of the progress of the cause. I arrived home April 18, having been absent seven weeks, during which time I preached fifty discourses. Had two excellent meetings at Santa Rosa, Sabbath.

We are now preparing to go out with a new tent in a few days. We hope to so apply ourselves to the work this summer that many may be brought to see the light of truth. Bro. Cornell and myself expect to strike some new place between Sonoma and Yolo Counties, so that our forces from each way may rally together. Pray for us.

J. N. Loughborough.

Santa Rosa, April 23, 1873.