With pleasure we express to our California brethren the impression thus far received in this our first visit to their State. Leaving Battle Creek, the morning of March 26, in the midst of snows and storms that would have done good credit to mid winter, whirled hurriedly over the long and weary intervening stretches of sand, sage brush and alkali, interspersed here and there with scenery of the most marvelous grandeur, we dropped down from the snowy heights of the Sierras into the valleys of California, fresh with the verdure and flowers of summer. The transition was charming; and the effect was heightened by experiencing these extremes of contrast within the short period of six days. We reached Oakland the afternoon of March 31, and there found something even more pleasant than this balmy clime with its offerings of beauty; and that was, the cordial welcome of friends both old and new.
Oakland justifies all that has been said of it. Pleasantly situated, it has the advantage of a climate in which most of the semi-tropical trees and flowers will live and flourish, and hence we here find combinations of art and nature, such as can, perhaps, nowhere else be seen.
The Signs Office seems like an old and familiar acquaintance, being so faithful a copy in both form and arrangement of the Office in Battle Creek, with which we have been so long connected. But its present degree of efficiency, activity and prosperity, are more than we had anticipated. Five presses are turning off a large amount of work. The rooms present the appearance of bee hives in summer time; and the report at the late meeting of the Pacific S. D. A. Publishing Association shows this branch of the work to have reached already a self-sustaining basis. We were also agreeably surprised with the new Oakland meeting-house. In size, with its two basement rooms and large audience room above, finish, location, and pleasing appearance, both without and within, it surpasses our anticipations. This house was dedicated to the worship of God and the promulgation of his truth, the evening of April 1st. The address and dedicatory prayer were made by Bro. White. He was very free in his remarks, and happy in the choice of points to present to the people, showing why we exist as a people, and the plain and simple foundation on which we stand. Some of the gray old superstitions of the religious world were challenged to show their right to exist, and ideas were given to the people, which we are sure they cannot forget. The house was filled to its utmost capacity with one of the finest of audiences, and the best of attention was given throughout. The singing was excellent, one anthem, “Teach me thy statutes and to walk in the way of thy commandments,” was especially appropriate and effective. Altogether it was a most encouraging and happy occasion. The Biblical Institute has opened well. There are already forty-eight enrolled members, besides quite a number of interested listeners. This, under the circumstances, is a much larger number than could have been expected. In a word, and in conclusion, we feel that this is a good day for the cause on the Pacific Coast; that the brethren have reason to be encouraged, and to feel grateful to God, and to his servants who have labored so efficiently in their midst. We are happy to be there to rejoice for a season with them, and contribute what little aid may be in our power to their further advancement in this best and most important of all causes.