The California Tent at Woodland.
By M. E. Cornell
We have now given fourteen discourses, and the attendance has increased from one hundred and fifty to about one thousand. We have been encouraged by the marked attention from the first. It is the busy season of haying, yet there is a regular attendance from the country. One afternoon it threatened rain, the heavens were black, thunder was heard in the distance, and it commenced to rain just before the time of gathering for the evening lecture. But so great was the interest that over three hundred came out to hear. No uneasiness was manifested because of the rain pouring upon the canvas, or in anticipation of how they should get to their homes through the darkness in the mud and rain. Objections raised by a Methodist minister and a spiritualist lawyer, turned favorably, and the interest seems to be deepening every day and extending into the country for miles around. A Methodist minister from Knight’s Landing came here to fill an appointment, but having only a few hearers, adjourned and came over to the tent. He was interested and remained several days and heard. Before leaving, he called on us and very cordially invited a course of lectures in his church. Since his return, we have received the following call, signed by several of the leading citizens of the place: “Knight’s Landing, Yolo Co., Cal., May 30, 1872. “To Messrs. Loughborough and Cornell—Gentlemen: We, the undersigned, on the part of the citizens of the town of Knight’s Landing, respectfully extend to you an invitation to visit our town, if not conflicting with prior arrangements. We would be much pleased to have you present for our people a series of sermons, to be continued at your pleasure. If this proposition be entertained by you, we would be pleased to know at what time it would be convenient for you to visit us, that we may give such notice as will ensure a general attendance. And we are, gentlemen, “Very respectfully yours.” Knight’s Landing is a R. R. town, and we think may be a favorable opening for a course of lectures. But the interest here is so great, that we shall probably have to remain for several weeks. Last evening, by request, we made a public statement of our expenses, and county officials and others passed through the audience and collected $47.80. The papers give favorable notices of our meeting. We clip the following from the Yolo Democrat:— “THE TENT MEETINGS.—Crowds of listeners have nightly attended the lectures of Elds. Loughborough and Cornell during the past week, and a great deal of interest has been manifested. The lecturers are men of over twenty years’ experience as lecturers and preachers, are close students of the Bible, which is emphatically stated to be the foundation of all their arguments, and their ideas are presented in a manner new and acceptable to the mass of their hearers. On Sunday evening, it is estimated about eight hundred persons were present, and the tent has been quite or nearly full each evening since. Some of the points advanced have been objected to, but the speakers invite questions and investigation. We shall not be surprised if replies are elicited from some of the local clergy. The meetings are to be continued on Sunday, and during the coming week, after which further announcement will be made.” We are happy to report that we are all in good health and spirits, and of good courage in the Lord. Brethren, pray for us.