California by E. E. Parlin

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Feb 1, 1906

California

By E. E. Parlin

SAN FRANCISCO.—Another of those annual meetings which Elder Grainger, several years ago, characterized as “the most interesting business meeting of any church” ever attended by him, was held on Jan. 2, 1906, by the San Francisco Seventh-day Adventist church, at 916 Laguna Street. Very interesting and carefully prepared reports were presented by all the financial officers of the church, supplemented with brief and comprehensive summaries of general missionary work accomplished during the year. A larger number than ever before are taking an active interest in some of the many activities of the church. The membership was reported to be three hundred and sixty-nine, somewhat less than it was one year ago, as the names of a number whose whereabouts and standing were unknown had been taken from the record.

The aggregate offerings for all purposes, including tithes, were over eight thousand dollars, or an average of about twenty-two dollars a member for the entire year. Of this sum about eleven hundred and fifty dollars has been donated

to needy home and foreign fields, including donations to Washington, various phases of the work in the Southern States, China, and elsewhere.

The church-school was reported to be in a flourishing condition, with an enrolment of about seventy pupils, seven of whom are in the advanced class. The expense of the school, amounting to upward of nine hundred and twenty-five dollars for the year, has been fully met, the salaries of teachers having been uniformly paid on Friday of each week.

Literature to the amount of about three hundred and sixty dollars has been disposed of through the tract and missionary society, systematic use being made of The Signs of the Times, and other of our publications, by many of the members.

The report of the Hydriatic Dispensary for six months ending Dec. 31, 1905, showed that during that time nine hundred and fifteen treatments had been given in the treatment rooms, besides a large number of outside treatments and other work, of which no detailed record had been kept. The total receipts in this department of the work amounted to over five hundred dollars for the six months, and included donations, receipts from sales of literature, and the small amount that the patients, when able, pay for the treatments given. Several of our local physicians have regular hours each week at the dispensary for the purpose of meeting and advising with those needing the attention of a physician.

The Christian Help band reports, among other items, sixty-four devotional and other meetings held during the year, and eight hundred and sixty-four garments given to the needy poor.

The Young People’s Society has held weekly meetings at the church during most of the year, with an average attendance of about thirty. They have also held monthly meetings at the jails, and have sold and given away a large number of papers and religious literature.

The Sabbath-school work has also been of more than usual interest on account of the many who have availed themselves of the very interesting lessons that have been under consideration during the year. The total offerings from the Sabbath-school amount to $253.40, of which about two thirds has been devoted to missionary work.

Several of the members devote a large portion of their time to canvassing, holding Bible readings, visiting the sick, and to other practical Christian work.

There has been, during the year, most perfect harmony and unity on the part of members and officers in carrying forward every advance work that has been presented, and new and aggressive plans are now being considered for the work with “Christ’s Object Lessons” and “Ministry of Healing.”

The members of this church are fully alive to the magnitude of the field about them and their responsibility in connection with the truths that have been committed to them, and are looking forward to an aggressive and advance work the coming year.—E. E. Parlin, in Pacific Union Recorder.