Quarterly Meeting in Dist. No. 2 by John Norton Loughborough

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Feb 1, 1877

Quarterly Meeting in Dist. No. 2.

By John Norton Loughborough

THE first quarterly meeting of District No. 2 was held at Fairview, Fresno county, Jan. 13, 14. It was a success. Bro. Waggoner and Wood had been holding meetings with the church and they assisted in the quarterly meeting.

On Sabbath, the 13th, Bro. Waggoner baptized four, making eighteen that he has baptized in that church. At 3 P. M. the ordinance of John 13 and the communion were attended to, nearly every member taking part in both. It was a good season for all present.

The church had been passing through some trials with wayward members, from one of whom it was necessary to withdraw fellowship. The action in these cases was harmonious, and others of more stability and worth are coming in to fill the places of those who have gone out.

On Sunday, the 14th, the business meeting of the missionary district was held, the report of which shows excellent figures for the first quarter of the new district, there being thirty-five members, twenty-five of whom reported. Other figures of their work have been reported in the SIGNS.

It appearing that the cause demanded a complete organization of the church, I remained a week after the quarterly meeting closed. The meeting for the organization was on the evening of the 16th, when nearly all who had signed the covenant became members of the church. Others will follow. After reading the scriptures setting forth the qualifications of officers, Bro. Wilson R. Smith was elected elder ; Bro. C. C. Burnett, deacon ; and Bro. William Beall, clerk. The elder and deacon were ordained at the close of the morning service, Sabbath, Jan. 20. In the afternoon four of the company which Bro. Wood had raised up in Mendocino neighborhood were baptized.

Sunday, the 21st, Systematic Benevolence pledges were made for 1877, by the members of the Fairview church, amounting to about $400, and by the Mendocino church to about $50.

Bro. William Hutchings Jr. was chosen treasurer for Fairview, and Bro. John W. Traber, treasurer for Mendocino.

Closed labor in Fresno county Sunday evening, Jan. 21. The prospects are encouraging for the cause in that county.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.