p. 160 | San Francisco by John Norton Loughborough

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · May 17, 1877

San Francisco.

By John Norton Loughborough

Our heart says, Praise the Lord for the good work here. Influences which have long bound the cause are giving way before the work of the Lord. The cause has suffered much for the need of one or more who would give their entire time to the care of the church and the missionary work.

Bro. Chittenden has long held back from giving himself unreservedly to the work in San Francisco. He has at length resolved, in the strength of the Lord, to take his stand. Light is breaking in and the waters are moved in the entire church. Sabbath, May 12, was a day long to be remembered by this church. At the commencement of the Sabbath we had a heart-searching time in our prayer-meeting. Sabbath forenoon I gave a discourse from the words of Christ relative to the importance of building on the rock, not only having a correct theory of the truth, but each having a thorough work in his own heart. The testimonies of Sister White to this church, relative to what they need, and how the work should be taken hold of, were read.

In the afternoon a meeting was held in which Brn. C. R. Chittenden and M. C. Israel were elected by unanimous vote as elders of the San Francisco church. It was also voted to organize the church into three districts, and to hold a prayer-meeting at private houses in each of these districts every Thursday evening. Brn. Dyberg, Griffith and Parker were appointed by the elders to take the lead of meetings in these districts for the next three months. It was made their duty to have a list of all the members in their district, keep a record of attendance, visit those who do not attend, and know each week the standing of all the members of their respective districts. The elders are to labor from time to time in these districts where help is most needed.

Voted, That the church have a committee of five on discipline, and that this committee consist of the elders and the leaders of the district prayer-meetings, and further, that when the leader finds any misunderstanding between members he shall immediately seek to reconcile the parties. If he fails in this he shall then refer the case to the elders.

Voted, To change the regular weekly prayer-meeting at the church from Wednesday to Tuesday evening.

In the evening after the Sabbath, we had a stirring missionary meeting. Bro. M. C. Israel was appointed, by the director, as district secretary of district No. 9, and also to act as treasurer of the district, and general business agent of the T. and M. Society. Seven superintendents were appointed by the director for the seven missionary sub-districts of the church, the director and secretary being two of these district superintendents.

Voted, That the missionary officers meet at the close of the prayer-meeting each Tuesday evening for consultation as to ways and means of advancing the work.

Voted, To take 30 copies of the Signs for weekly distribution, in addition to the 50 already taken by the church. The elders have already entered upon active labors from house to house, and report the blessing of God with them wherever they go. Brethren, pray for the work in San Francisco.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.