Various Matters by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Oct 18, 1883

Various Matters.

By Editor

A REPORT from Eld. Haskell of the Indiana Camp-meeting came a little too late for this paper.

THE permanent post-office address of Elder I. D. and Mrs A. P. Van Horn is Charlotte, Eaton Co., Michigan.

PRIVATE letters give even more cheering reports of the Michigan Camp-meeting than the report sent for the paper. We have for months been looking for a revival of the work, and we think we shall not be disappointed.

WE have received a cheering and encouraging letter from Sister White, concerning her labors and her health. She has had strength, even beyond her expectation, in the meetings East. Her visit to the East was evidently timely. Her labor was never more needed and better appreciated than at the present time.

AT 1:30, on the morning of the 10th inst. we were awakened by the vibratory motions of our cot, and the rattling of the windows. The sharpest shock of earthquake was then felt that has visited us in some time. No damage was done.

WE must give the standing excuse, "a multitude of business," for our failure to answer letters from esteemed friends. In several cases we have sent cards where we would be pleased to send letters; but our friends understand our present circumstances and will be indulgent.

IT is seldom that we call attention to the contents of our paper. The articles recommend themselves. But we cannot refrain from making mention of the poetry on the third page of this paper, entitled, "Alone." It is a pleasure to read it.

THE Healdsburg College year has commenced with good prospects, though a larger number of advanced students is to be desired. We suppose the number will be increased as winter approaches. Many people, young and old, are needed to be fitting themselves for work in the cause of truth. We hope to be able to give more definite information soon of the working of the school.

WITH feelings of much gratitude we are able to say that our health is much improved during the past two or three weeks. The Lord is better to us than our fears. We would very much like a vacation for rest and recreation, but we cheerfully submit to every providence which bids fair to benefit the precious cause to which our life has been devoted.

IT is regretted by all our citizens of Oakland that the Post-office here has been lowered in its grade, because of the small sales of stamps, and the allowance for service has been reduced accordingly. Oakland has grown much within a few years past, and greatly needs increased service. But the P. O. Department is guided only by the sales, which is manifestly a most unreasonable basis. We believe that Postmaster Dargie has done his best to have the citizens well served. But now they must wait.

THE last quarterly meeting in Oakland was a good one. Over one hundred communicants were present at the celebration of the ordinances in the afternoon. Our efforts to have our resident members be faithful in this respect, are meeting with success, as well as our efforts to have all Sabbath-keepers in the city unite with the church, and all non-residents take letters to other churches. It is our desire to have an efficient working membership, all within the knowledge of the church officers. A good report comes also from the San Francisco quarterly meeting.