J. W by James White

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Jun 17, 1875

J. W

By James White

The prospects of that conference in bringing men and women to the truth are good. We hope our young preachers there will not be induced to enter into discussions with men whose success depends upon their ability to deceive, abuse, and discourage the people of God. The Missouri and Kansas Conference can have a camp-meeting July 22-27. We now expect the publishing building at Oakland will be pushed forward, and the house of worship in San Francisco will be built, so that, according to promise, we shall be obliged to attend the California camp-meeting, assist in a strong effort with the tent in San Francisco immediately following the camp-meeting, to adjourn from the tent to the new church the last of November or the first of December.

To return to Missouri: We found Bro. J. N. Ayers a thorough Christian gentleman, and a complete business man. Money sent to him has been laid out for provisions at the best wholesale rates, and distributions have been made by Express and rail-road free of charge. Though a cripple, one knee stiff, and increased to enormous size by white swelling, and discharging at several places, he has done his duty as distributing agent with vigilence as well as ability, having been out at all stages of the weather. This he has cheerfully done without pay, though himself in the destitute region. We became individually responsible for the sum of $200, to supply our people with seed to replant their fields if thought best, and to give them immediate bread. It was thought possible that the hoppers would leave soon, and that corn (by replanting) and buckwheat could be raised the present season. Should the people not be able to do this, those who can leave with their families should leave for parts where the grasshopper scourge is not, and others should leave their women and little children where they are, and go immediately where they can earn means to send back to their families.

Bro. Ayers is a thorough health reformer, and says he has had a "blowing up" several times for refusing to supply families who use tea, coffee, and tobacco. We handed this dear brother two silver half dollars for his own use which we took from California, and would have given him more if we had not been short of ready cash. We now call on the wealthy among us to help the sufferers in Kansas, and do not forget the crippled agent, Bro. J. N. Ayres, especially in your prayers. Such noble men are few. Donations may be sent immediately to Review and Herald, Battle Creek, Mich., or to SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.