Fresno and Tulare Counties, California.
By G. D. Ballou
I HAVE spent the last eight weeks with the churches and scattered brethren and sisters in these counties, part of the time in company with Eld. M. C. Israel, and part of the time alone. We have on all occasions borne a very plain testimony. The subjects of "present dangers and duties," "conversion," and "growth in grace," have been made especially prominent. We have labored to instill a spirit of faithfulness and devotion to the cause of God into the hearts of all connected with the work. The missionary and Sabbath-school interests have received a due share of attention. We have endeavored to set before the young the importance of taking advantage of present school privileges, to fit themselves for fields of usefulness in connection with the closing messages, and we have not failed to urge upon the older brethren the importance of encouraging the young in taking such steps. Other interests of the cause have been looked after as occasion demanded. Nearly every family of Sabbath-keepers, and also the scattered individuals, have been visited, and their spiritual interests looked after. Many of the brethren were very kind in rendering assistance, by going with their teams and taking us from place to place. We have found plenty of work to do everywhere we have been, and have seen some very encouraging results. We have often realized the truth that "He that watereth shall be watered also himself." The blessing of the Lord has attended us in all our labors, and we feel greatly strengthened to labor on in this cause. The results of our labors in Fresno City, though encouraging in some respects, were not quite as full as we hoped for. One hundred and twenty dollars was raised to help pay for the special edition of the SIGNS, and steps were taken toward the erection of a good church building; but we did not see that deep, anxious heart searching, and that earnest desire for a personal experience in spiritual things that we expected to see. But there are omens for good and some evidences of substantial improvement, not only in Fresno City, but also in other parts of the county. At Temperance Colony the work stands better than it did. At Burrough Valley a V. M. Society was organized, and a club of fourteen SIGNS ordered, making over twenty copies in all for that church. At Visalia ten copies were ordered.81At Lemoore the work is progressing well. A spirit of courage and good cheer characterized the meetings from the first. Some of the seasons we had together were especially marked by earnestness and solemnity. Prejudices of long standing were removed, and new life seemed to manifest itself in every branch of the work. The brethren here subscribed $83.50 toward the special edition of the SIGNS. I remain here one week longer. Temperance, Cal., Feb. 6, 1883.