p. 183 | California Field Report and State Meeting Account

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 23, 1871

California Field Report and State Meeting Account

By John Norton Loughborough

California

Since my last report, I have closed the few lectures in Sebastopol with no great apparent results, save to encourage and instruct those who have lately taken hold of the truth. Also spent another Sabbath and first-day at Stony Point, where we had, especially on the Sabbath, a very encouraging meeting, and another one took his stand for the Lord’s truth.

The last week has been spent in preparing for, and attending, our excellent State meeting, all the features of which it would be useless to try to place on paper. The Lord was with us by his Spirit from the commencement to the close of the session, and all seemed to be of a mind to work and do what they could. Some of our resolves to do are manifest in the business report which will accompany this. There were six discourses given; two by Bro. Kellogg whom all were rejoiced to see again with us, and four by the writer. These discourses were upon the subjects given in the following order:

First. On what conditions we may expect the Lord to meet with us in this our fourth State meeting. Text John 11: 56.

Second. “Examine yourselves.”

Third. Holiness and means of its attainment.

Fourth. “Fellow-helpers to the truth.” 3 John 5–8.

Fifth. The bearing of obeying the laws of our being on a proper development of intellectual and moral powers. This discourse was followed by a five minutes’ appeal for persons to take the Reformer and post themselves in these matters. Twenty-one new subscribers came forward and gave their $1.00 each for the same.

The sixth and last discourse was from Ps. 119: 126: “It is time for thee, Lord, to work, for they have made void thy law.”

These discourses were listened to by a full house, and with marked and earnest attention. Our Santa Rosa meeting-house, which some had feared was built too large, and which has recently been seated to its utmost capacity, had every seat filled on first-day. There were two social meetings held, excellent and spirited, especially the one on Sabbath morning, in which about seventy took part. We also had two prayer-meetings, and on Sabbath from 4½ to 6½ P. M., a meeting of leaders and officers of the different bands, with others, to consult on the best method of conducting meetings, and how to so manage as to awaken a deeper interest in the young, and save them from being drawn into the vortex of folly, pride, worldly pleasure, and sin. This was one of the most precious meetings of the convocation. The Lord approbates the disposition to work in his cause. As the subject of this meeting was new to many, especially what related to the young, it was decided to refer the matter to a convention to be held on July 4, next, for further deliberations. The object of this convention is especially to instruct the children in singing appropriate pieces for the school. Speeches will be made by various ones, calculated to instruct and encourage the young; and while Bro. Cassidy on one part of the ground may be interesting the children in singing, the older ones will be deliberating in another part on the best ways and means of conducting Sabbath-schools. A humble repast will be had; and while to all it may be a day of recreation, with God’s blessing upon it, we trust it will be a source of profit, and a spiritual feast to all.

Immediately following the second discourse of Sabbath, five were baptized. These were persons who have recently embraced the truth at Stony Point, Bloomfield, and Sebastopol.

There were about one hundred Sabbath-keepers in attendance at this meeting, and their unanimous testimony was that “it was the best meeting they ever attended.” It has seemed to us that this meeting has made a good impression in favor of the cause in this vicinity. We decide to follow up this meeting with a few lectures on the cardinal points of present truth. May the Lord further on the work here and everywhere.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Santa Rosa, Cal., May 8, 1871.