Elder Smith's Visit to California.
By M. K. W.
LAST Sunday Elder Smith started from Oakland for Sacramento, intending to stop at Dixon and speak in the tent that evening, and to preach in Woodland Monday evening, and from there go to Sacramento to join friends returning East. So far as we know, this plan has been carried out and they are now speeding their way over the mountains. Elder Smith's visit to this State, although quite brief, was a very important one for the cause on this coast. Those who attended the Biblical Institute, which continued about two weeks, will never regret the means expended, nor the effort made to attend, and will never cease to rejoice over the light they received upon the Scriptures. One brother who had never heard but one S. D. Adventist sermon, but had read the SIGNS and some other publications, having a strong desire to know more of the truth, came four hundred miles down the coast to attend these lectures. Another brother came about four hundred and fifty miles up the coast to have the privilege of attending. Both these brethren became more fully established in the truth, and, like many others, returned home to spread the light to others. From many of these, news has already been received showing that through their instrumentality quite a number are becoming interested in these truths. During Elder Smith's last trip up the country he spoke upon the Eastern Question in Santa Rosa, Healdsburg and Petaluma. At Santa Rosa, Sabbath forenoon, the house of worship was well filled, many strangers being present. After a short intermission, Elder Smith gave a brief discourse which was followed by a spirited social meeting. This is one of the first places in which the tent was pitched in California, and it was very touching to hear those who were among the first to embrace the truth tell of their love for it and of their gratitude for ever having seen the light. At Healdsburg, Sunday afternoon, Elder Smith spoke to an audience of about four hundred, and Monday evening to a good company in the Congregational church in Petaluma. No doubt all would have been glad if Elder Smith could have remained longer with us, but duties seemed to call him East and we must be grateful for his labors, thus long, which have given the work a new impetus up and down the entire coast. We are happy to state to the readers of the Signs that he will still continue his interesting articles entitled, "Biblical Institute," and also editorials from week to week.