Visit to Pacheco by Ellen G. White

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Mar 7, 1878

Visit to Pacheco.

By Ellen G. White

ON Thursday last, February 28, there came an urgent call from Pacheco for a minister to be sent to them to give a course of lectures. As there was no one else to go, I consented to venture twenty-two miles by wagon, over a fearfully bad road to help them what I could. We plowed through the mud for seven hours before reaching our destination. Upon arriving at the place of meeting, we found that an appointment had already been made for me for the following evening. I spoke four times in this place to those who were hungry for the word. It was no task to address such longing souls from the word of God.

I spoke with great liberty on Friday evening from these words, "Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God," etc. On the Sabbath, at 11 A. M., there was a goodly gathering of people to hear. Our brethren from Lafayette came twelve miles over a very bad road to attend the meeting. I spoke with freedom from 1 John 3:3. "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure." The spirit of the Lord was present, and hearts were deeply affected by the word spoken. The house was crowded on the evening after the Sabbath. I spoke from Luke 17:26, and onward: "And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man," etc.

Sunday afternoon I spoke to a good audience in Good Templars' Hall, on the subject of Temperance, treating it from a Christian standpoint. The people had been accustomed to listening to temperance lectures which consisted of anecdotes, and sensational appeals, but when the temptation of Christ in the wilderness was dwelt upon, and his test upon the point of appetite, fasting forty days and forty nights, redeeming the disgrace of Adam's failure and fall, they were deeply interested. The matter was entirely new to them, and I never addressed a more attentive audience. After taking a hasty lunch, we rode twelve miles over the bad roads to Lafayette, where I spoke the same evening for more than an hour on Temperance. The audience gave the best of attention, and I had great freedom in speaking. We arrived safe at Oakland on Monday afternoon, March 4, somewhat weary, but well pleased with our visit and its results.

We found in Pacheco a small church keeping the Sabbath. They meet with great opposition from unbelievers, yet they hold fast their faith, growing stronger and stronger. The leader in the church has done what he could to let the light of truth shine forth to others. This brother accepted our faith but a few months since, when Brethren Rice and Brorsen were making their first efforts to teach the truth. He was a profane, drinking man, and a ringleader in scenes of amusements; but when the tent was pitched, and these two young men presented our faith to the people, he with others, saw the truth of their reasoning, and signed the covenant to keep the commandments of God. He became a converted man, left off his tobacco, liquor, tea and coffee, and refused to join in amusements with his old associates. He stated that the habit of using tobacco was much harder for him to overcome than that of drinking liquor.

The citizens of that place look with astonishment upon the great change in one who had been so zealous in the service of Satan. At first they predicted it would not last long, but there would be a speedy return to the old habits, and the old sins; but when they see that the few who have come out upon the side of truth, stand firm notwithstanding the opposition of ministers and people, they are forced to acknowledge that there is a great power attending the preaching of the soon coming of Christ.

The little church in Pacheco is a living church, active in religious duties; they do not hide their light, as though it was something of which they should be ashamed, but they let it shine forth to others. Although they are few in numbers, they do not neglect the assembling of themselves together. They have no one to preach to them, but they make the most of the truth furnished them in our publications. The SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and our pamphlets and tracts serve as teachers at their assemblies. A doctrinal sermon appropriate to the occasion is read, occupying about one hour; then the practical articles are read covering another hour. These exercises, blended with singing, prayer and exhortation, make a very interesting Sabbath service. Sometimes there are from ten to twenty unbelievers present on these occasions, and at their evening meetings during the week.

They are frequently assailed by ministers and church members, who bring up the old round of objections, which have been so repeatedly answered by our publications, and from the desk. If these objections cannot be readily met, they are carefully written out, and sent to some of our experienced ministers, who return a brief, plain and concise answer to them. Thus these isolated believers are prepared to meet their cavilling opponents.

If the small companies raised up in different places, who can seldom have the services of the living preacher, would follow the example of the little church in Pacheco much good could be done, and many more might be brought into the light of the truth. Let them meet regularly, and select a good reader to read aloud the sermons, and other matter in our publications suitable for the occasion. Also each believer can do something toward wakening an interest in those with whom they associate to come out and hear the truths presented so clearly in our publications. These efforts, united with earnest prayers, and testimonies, will do much toward bringing hearts under the influence of the truth. Nearly all the objections that can be raised against our faith are carefully met in our publications; so that the diligent seeker for truth can furnish himself with strong weapons of defense against his opposers. Much good may thus be accomplished where the living preacher is not available.

Before closing I will mention that certain church members in Lafayette, not of our faith, had reported that the Seventh-day Adventists did not believe in conversion, and had nothing to say about Jesus, as man's Redeemer. I was not acquainted with these reports until after I had spoken. My text was from 2 Peter, showing the duty of Christians to know and to follow the Lord Jesus, living upon the plan of addition. "Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity," etc. This was Peter's ladder of eight rounds, of temperance and sanctification.

I presented before them the long fast of Christ in the wilderness in behalf of man, and the fact that the victory gained by Christ elevated man in the scale of moral value. Christ was presented as the sinners only hope. Through his name and strength the liquor and tobacco inebriate may break the slavery of habit, and become victor through the merits of our Saviour.

The Spirit of God rested upon me, elevating me above weariness. The acknowledgement of all present was that they had listened to the truth. Mrs. E. G. White.