San Francisco, Monterey, and San Benito Counties.
By Chas. C. Ramsey
I HAVE met with the companies at the following points since June 1: San Francisco, Castroville, Salinas, Soledad, Hollister, San Juan, and Gilroy. Sabbath, June 2, I was with the church at San Francisco. As my coming was not personally announced, I held no meeting in behalf of the College separate from the morning service, but presented the matter briefly at that time. By means of thorough visiting I learned that considerable interest in the school had been awakened. As a result, I think that we may reasonably expect a few students from this church the coming year. I consider the condition of this church hopeful. In many respects considerable progress has been made. There is among several of the brethren and sisters a very commendable zeal in the missionary work. I found Brn. Palmer and Brorsen full of the spirit of labor and earnestly engaged in its performance. Friday, June 8, I was at Castroville, Monterey Co. In order to reach an appointment for the next day, I could stop but a few hours with the little company here. I held no meeting with them, but visited them at their homes. Found most of them so situated that they could do but little for the College. There are a few earnest souls here who love the truth, but as in many other places there is great need of a deeper consecration and more of the missionary spirit. Sabbath, June 9, I met with the church at Salinas, Monterey Co. At its organization, a year or so ago, there were thirty members. Now there are not more than one-half that number, owing chiefly to removals. At the conclusion of the Sabbath-school the object, character, and workings of our College were presented. At the close the brethren and sisters freely expressed their interest in the school, and their intention to share its benefits. An earnest desire to labor more actively in the cause of God was clearly manifested by several present. As a result of the effort made and the visitation of the members, I received the promise of several students who will attend the College sometime within the coming year. If every member in this church would draw near to God, and take hold of the missionary work with earnestness, realizing the solemn responsibilities of the present hour, a better day would dawn for this little band. I went to Soledad, thirty miles south, Monday, June 11. Four accepted the truth here last year, and were baptized. One has since apostatized and removed, but two others have begun to keep the Sabbath. I had a precious season with these dear souls. The Spirit and unity of Christ seemed309to prevail. One devoted young sister who lives the truth under unfavorable circumstances, being the only believer in her family, expressed herself as having no other object in life but to labor in the cause of God. Her life seems to give evidence of her sincerity and devotion. She and another young sister are very anxious to attend our College. I earnestly hope that the way may open for them to do so. June 14, I went to Hollister, San Benito Co. Here, owing to removals, there remained but three Sabbath-keepers, hence I held no meeting with them, but visited the families at their homes. I found some here who seem to be in earnest in the Third Angel's Message. Of the three, one will attend the College the coming year. Sabbath, June 16, I met with the company at San Juan, San Benito Co. The interests of the College were presented at the close of the exercises of the Sabbath-school, and its relation to the cause of present truth specially emphasized. Considerable interest in the school seemed to be aroused. A brother and his wife here expect to attend the College a portion of the coming year. It is probable that others here may also attend. It seems that after the first presentation of the truth here the work was not very thoroughly followed up. Some who have since apostatized might have been established in the truth. Yet there are a few precious souls here who love the truth and are seeking to be sanctified by it, but as these are about to remove, I fear that our foothold in the place will be lost. I earnestly hope our brethren and sisters here may live so near the Lord as to leave behind them some who keep all the commandments of God. June 18, I went to Gilroy. I could remain but a short time with this little company of Sabbath-keepers. I held no public meeting with them, but visited from house to house. I found a few earnest souls here, some of whom expressed a strong desire to enter our College. I expect to see students from this church during the coming year. It is greatly to be hoped that our brethren and sisters here will be fully aroused to a sense of the importance of consecrated activity in the cause of God. Some of them are trying to spread the truth. May God's rich blessing rest upon them. Here I found three of our College students who are canvassing for "Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation." They have obtained twenty-six names in about seven days, and thus the good work goes on. From here I expect to go to Fresno Co. I ask the prayers of God's people.