p. 190 | Reports from the West

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 10, 1875

Reports from the West.

Bro. Canright writes, May 24, of the tent-meetings at Stockton, Cal., which have just closed:—

“Many who attended were transient persons, who heard a few sermons and then went to other places; most of them took more or less books with them. I obtained nine paying subscribers for the Signs and one for Tidende; sold about $30 worth of books; many tracts and pamphlets, and gave away a great many. Some eighteen have commenced to keep the Sabbath, though we do not feel certain of all of them.”

Bro. Van Horn reports, May 12, of the North Pacific Mission:—

“The cause of the Lord is still steadily advancing in this part of the field. Those who have received the truth are generally in earnest and are bending their energies and means to advance the work.

“Our last quarterly meeting was held in our new meeting-house in Walla Walla, the first Sabbath and Sunday in April. By comparing this meeting with the first one I held in this country, about one year before, I could not help noticing the contrast. Then, I saw about twenty Sabbath-keepers and a few others gathered in a small school-house near the Walla Walla River; now, there were assembled before me some seventy-five Sabbath-keepers with their children and others, making a congregation of one hundred and fifty or more. Instead of occupying a school-house in the country, we assembled in our large house of worship in the city of Walla Walla. Then, we had no Sabbath-school; now, we have the best one in this Valley.

“Our people have entered heartily into the plan of Systematic Benevolence, and I do not know of a single dissenting voice among them. When they get their present burden of building off their hands they will be prepared to help by their means in other directions.”

“My present conclusion regarding labor for the coming season is to remain in this upper country till after our next quarterly meeting, the 1st of July. Accordingly, I have pitched the tent in the little village of Waitsburg, W. T. I have already held six meetings with good interest, considering the rainy weather and the smallness of the place. We shall do what we can in new places till the quarterly meeting. The meeting-house will be completed by that time, and will then be dedicated. This will leave the work here in very good condition.

“Should some one be sent to labor with me, we could ship the tent down to Portland, and, immediately following our quarterly meeting here, go down there to commence the work. By that time the rainy season will be over in the Willamette Valley, and we could probably run the tent there four months this season.

“We hope to be directed by the providence of God in the work in this mission. Pray for us.”