THE WORK IN SAN FRANCISCO
By J. O. Corliss
LIKE the city in which it is situated, the San Francisco church is thoroughly a cosmopolitan body. It is composed of English, American, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Austrian, Swiss, French, Japanese, and Chinese, besides some colored members. The harmony with which the representatives of so many nationalities, with their home instincts and early training, can work together for the advancement of the kingdom of God in the earth, is a revelation of the power of the truth which all profess. Gathered, as this church is, from all classes and conditions of society which constitute a maritime city of three hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants, it must be understood that it is poor in this world's goods. There is not one wealthy member connected with it. Few of its numbers are exempt from daily toil as a means by which to earn the necessaries of life. Some are dependent on the church, more or less, for means of subsistence. Another feature of this church might be noticed here, and that is the temporary residence of many who unite with it. While some are permanently settled in the city, others are here one day, and gone the next, or a month later, so that the personnel of the body undergoes rapid changes. With such a state, it would seem more of a strain to secure united effort than in churches where this condition does not prevail. Yet for all this, the truth so quickly unites minds that all seem to fall into line with the general trend almost as soon as they come in contact with the work. The writer has been laboring with this church since the middle of June, 1899, or about one year and a half. In that time one hundred and one persons have united with the church, sixty-two by baptism, and thirty-nine by transfer from other bodies. In the same time forty-five have received letters to other churches, and three have died. The church roll now contains three hundred and fifty-one names, sixty-three of whom are either non-resident or indifferent, so that there are really but two hundred and eighty-eight active members. From these there was received in tithes, during 1899 and 1900, the sum of $7,616.91. In these two years the church paid into other funds, such as home and foreign missions, educational work, and distribution of reading-matter, the sum of $2,924.32, making an aggregate of $10,541.23. Of this sum $578.12 was contributed toward a church school, which began operation in November, 1899. The first year of this school may be regarded as its experimental stage, and it maintained a steady average of twenty-seven pupils. During that time most faithful work was done by a lady teacher, under somewhat discouraging circumstances. The second year opened with about the same number of pupils and a man teacher. After the first week or two, however, more pupils were added, until, just after the close of the year 1900, the roll showed a list of fifty-four pupils. This required added facilities, which were met by materially enlarging the seating capacity of the school, and providing an assistant teacher. The school is supported by monthly contributions from all willing to assist, whether they send children or not. This is done on the principle that the school is a church enterprise, for the advancement of God's work, rather than an undertaking for the benefit of a few. It therefore becomes the ward of the whole church, and as such, all are interested in its success. This not only opens the way for discourses on the general principles of education on the Sabbath, but it provides the means by which the children of those unable to pay a weekly tuition enter the school on equal terms with those more favored. It also bars the way against any favoritism that might possibly creep in to disturb the working of the school, and create gossip in the church. Another line of educational work carried on in the church consists of free medical lectures, which are given each Thursday evening. In these are taken up the common diseases and their remedies. Several doctors engage in this work. The object of this is to educate the rank and file of the membership so that they may undertake the work of missionary nursing in their own neighborhoods. A large class attend regularly, and the prospect is that much good will result. Already the Bible workers and medical nurses in the city have begun to plan co-operative work on a broader scale than hitherto, and the influence of this promises to be more far-reaching than can be told in a brief report like this. Another branch of work, which will surely tell for eternity, is the systematic sale of literature. Some make their regular rounds each week, going from house to house selling the Signs of the Times and the Pacific Health Journal. As a sample of what is being done, one sister, burdened with many other cares, reported, in a late workers' meeting, that during that week she had worked twenty-two hours, and sold two hundred and twenty-one Signs and thirty-three Health Journals. An agent from the St. Helena Sanitarium came into the Wednesday evening prayer-meeting, where about fifty of the brethren were present, and introduced the Midwinter Number of the Pacific Health Journal. After a few minutes' talk, those present subscribed for seven hundred and sixty copies of the Journal to sell. Nearly all the members carry cards to their neighbors, advertising the regular meetings of the church. As a result quite a goodly number come to our Sabbath services, and on Sunday nights the house is usually well filled with interested listeners. From among these the Bible workers find those who are willing to have private Bible studies, and so the circle of our church influence constantly enlarges. The result is additions by baptism every month. Since coming from Australia, Sister White has spoken to the church five times with marked effect. On one occasion she repeated a statement she made twenty-five years before, to the effect that San Francisco will always be an important missionary field, which must be constantly worked. One thing is certain, that much more money could be expended, and many more workers could be used, in this field to good advantage. May the Lord direct the work here in wisdom, so that the best results may be seen in the day of God, so near at hand.