The Meeting at Los Angeles by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 31, 1883

The Meeting at Los Angeles.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

WE left the camp-ground at Lemoore Wednesday, May 16, and after riding about twenty-five miles in a private conveyance, reached Goshen, where we took the cars for Los Angeles. Our meetings commenced Friday evening in the meeting-house, although some camped in a tent. Quite a number of the brethren living at a distance came in, and although the meeting was not a large one, we had much of the blessing of God, and those present manifested a desire to come nearer to him.

The preaching at this meeting was mostly of a practical nature. They had not been accustomed to having general meetings, and therefore many of the brethren did not feel the necessity of turning out to the meeting that they would if they had been more in the habit of attending general meetings, and known their value.

Our meeting upon the Sabbath was an interesting one. At the close of the discourse in the afternoon by Sister White, quite a number responded to the invitation to come forward for prayers. Much of the sweet Spirit of God was felt before the meeting closed. Sister White enjoyed her usual freedom, and her testimony was well appreciated. There should be more general meetings among our people if we would see the cause of God prosper. There should be manifested more of an interest to meet together, to study the Scriptures, and to investigate the truths we profess. If what we profess is true, then it is the most important enterprise in this world. Our farms and worldly interests sink into insignificance when compared to it.

Upon Monday we had a Bible class, or rather a Bible reading, taking for the subject the spiritual gifts. About one hundred references were read, touching their nature and character. Much interest was manifested upon this subject, and a desire was expressed, as at the Lemoore meeting, to have the references with the questions written out for general use. If there was more Bible reading and less nonsensical or useless conversation, we would be much stronger and more settled in the faith; and we would as in the early history of this work hear the expression, "How precious the light." The meeting closed on Monday, and the brethren returned to their homes much encouraged. We think the influence of the meeting was most excellent upon all who were present. Those who could not come lost much which they might have had, had they been at the meeting. Monday night we left for Oakland arriving Tuesday, and found all as well as usual.

S. N. HASKELL.