Fine Weather by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 19, 1885

Fine Weather.

By Editor

NEVER did we appreciate the difference between the climate of the Eastern States and that of the Pacific Coast as we do at present. We suffered through extremely cold weather in several States, and the day we left Chicago it was almost too much for us to go into the street. In Oakland there are multitudes of calla lilies in full bloom in the open air; red and tea roses are not very scarce; daisies and pansies, and various other flowers are out; the acacias are putting on their gorgeous array; the grass is everywhere in full green. By the papers we learn that a terrific storm was raging over a large section of the Eastern country the ninth of this month. On that day we rode in a wagon from Healdsburg to St. Helena, and at noon we sat down beside the road to eat our lunch, and Brother White threw off his coat, and thus, coatless, enjoyed his dinner in the open air!

But it is not always thus. Ten years ago the winter throughout the United States was very much like the present. It was warm in California; the flowers were in bloom all winter in Oakland. The thermometer fell low in the Eastern States. There was heavy snow and severe cold in Walla Walla, W. T., which has not since been the case until this winter. But since that time we have seen the flowers all killed in Oakland, and snow has fallen and ice been gathered in Napa Valley. We have no assurance that next winter will be as warm as this, on this coast.

But of one thing we feel confident: we shall not suffer here with the piercing, biting cold as we suffered in the East. People in California have very much for which to be thankful. But are they? It is one thing to boast that "we have the best climate in the world," and quite another to be truly thankful to divine Providence for the many blessings we enjoy.