The Cause in California.
By J. Ferguson
THE cause of present truth seems to be moving on in this State. A meeting of the different churches was held at Bloomfield, Sabbath, July 8. We had a good meeting. The sweet Spirit of the Lord was there. An excellent discourse was given by Bro. Loughborough, from 1 Peter 4: 5, 7, 17. After the close of the sermon nearly all the brethren and sisters took part in a short social meeting. It was a sweet meeting. Praise the Lord. Three in that place expressed their determination to live nearer the Lord. Others are deeply affected. The labor in that place is not in vain. The fruits, I believe, will be fully realized in the world to come. The third angel’s message is gaining ground. We hope the few that have taken their stand will be true to the Lord till he comes. Oh, precious hope, soon to live with Jesus forever! The cause in Petaluma is on the increase. The brethren in that place seem to be in the work. The work in Healdsburgh is also prosperous. The most of the brethren in that place pull well together. When all are willing to do their part, the burdens are light. The Lord wants such men and women in his cause. Let us love one another. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor. Rom. 13: 10. But perhaps says one, I am so weak I do not think I can do much. Well, perhaps you cannot. Do what you know to be your duty. If you would move out, and do duty, as it presents itself, you would soon become an efficient worker for Christ. Some have such an exalted opinion of self as to overlook small things. They look for some grand display, and overlook their duties even in their families. Well, says one, if I could preach like such a one, it would be all right. But if you can’t preach you can pay your Systematic Benevolence; just the very duty, perhaps, the Lord wants you to perform; and if you are faithful, as you advance the way will be open for you. The Lord knoweth them that are his. Another may say, I cannot talk like Bro. or Sr. so and so, or I would take part in the meeting. Perhaps you neglected retiring to your closet to ask the Lord to give you strength to bear your part in the performance of duty; or to bear your testimony in the great congregation in humility. You ask such an one about his business in this life, and he will not leave a stone unturned, except something that is necessary for his interest to keep secret, and he can tell just where that interest is every time. Let us seek the Lord more earnestly. Time is short. Let us make clean work for the Judgment. “Be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Rom. 12: 2. “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Pet. 1:13. Let us be strong in the Lord. Jesus is soon coming to gather his faithful ones home. The company at Green Valley is still doing duty. Bro. Miner, who has been kind to the cause, opened his house for meeting purposes. We hope the Lord will assist him in procuring a comfortable home for his dear family. Bro. Kellogg was called away to visit his family, and was not present at our good meeting. We trust the Lord will grant him a speedy return to the work. The work in Santa Rosa is laboring under some disadvantages. Our meeting-house is not completed, but it is the intention of the brethren, if the Lord will, to complete the house this fall. Besides, we have strong prejudice to work against, but thank God for victory so far. Satan has tried hard to confuse the minds of some, but it is to be hoped that they will recover in time. Who will suffer Satan to throw them from the track and cheat them out of eternal life? “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matt. 24: 13. “These things,” says Christ, “I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16: 33. We feel to express our grateful thanks to those kind friends who have the burden of the work in the Eastern States. My heart was cheered in reading Bro. White’s reports. May the Lord bless his faithful servants. We are thankful for the good Testimonies. Praise the Lord for the light of present truth. We hope that in the Lord’s own good time we shall meet with those tried friends of the cause we esteem so highly. Dear brethren and sisters, let us be in earnest in the work.