Pacific Coast Council by Stephen Nelson Haskell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 6, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 10.

Pacific Coast Council.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

EACH month brings new evidences that the work of God is rapidly drawing to a close. The importance of taking advance steps, and wisely laying larger plans for operation is constantly increasing, and the more of the divine stamp that is seen in God's word and the less of the human, the more God will be glorified.

There should be frequent consultations in those sections of the country where the work is of a similar character. The wise man says, "In a multitude of counselors there is safety." By bringing together different minds, and laying out different plans, and having free counsel with much prayer, we shall secure more light than by a few pressing toward certain points without conferring with others.

Last year Elder Colcord came from the Upper Columbia Conference to our camp-meeting at San Jose, and was greatly encouraged. Thus it was with other brethren from Nebraska. The cause is one, and we need larger ideas and a heart to take in the work in all its branches and phases.

The cause on the Pacific Coast is comparatively new, especially in the northern part. The city mission of Portland, Oregon, is an important one. A regular line of steamers running to Alaska, presents an excellent opening for the truth to go to that new country. The fact that Portland is a great thoroughfare for emigrants to that northern section, helps to make it an important point for the distribution of our reading matter. We do not know of a more important city of its size on the Pacific Coast. The work in that city is similar to that of New York and Chicago.

New missions must be opened westward, and that speedily. Plans should be laid the present season to enlarge the work as never before. The school in Healdsburg, Cal., is not merely a Californian school, but a Pacific Coast enterprise.

There should be one general interest blending in a special manner, that will embrace all west of the Rocky Mountains. We see no reason why there should not be a good delegation of our brethren in California attend the Northern camp-meeting this season. The work should be well represented at the North, and at our annual camp-meeting in California there should be a good delegation of our brethren from the northern part of the Pacific Coast. Difficulties of varied and perplexing natures will arise, and the stronger the bond of union to carry forward the work, the more we shall prevent the incoming of Satan.

The work should be opened in Idaho, and why not by laborers going from the northern part of the Pacific Coast? There is a field also in the District of Columbia. In each of these places, persons have embraced the Sabbath from the influence of papers sent. All of these matters should be considered at the annual meeting. In short, our camp-meetings should be meetings of instruction as to the best methods of labor, and how to enter unoccupied fields.

When we think how God has wrought for the Pacific Coast thus far, and how he has honored that people by establishing a pioneer sheet there, that goes to every portion of the globe where the English language is spoken, and has given opportunity through the ship work to reach every civilized nation, we can only say, "How good God is."

If that people prove true to their trust in using the means God has lent them for the spread of his truth, he will go before them in a manner we have never seen. May God bless the general meetings this coming spring, and give success to our brethren in their councils. S. N. HASKELL.