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The Missionary

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Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 26, 1883

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 9, No. 28.

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The Missionary.

By Chas. C. Ramsey

Fresno County.

SINCE my last report, I have visited the churches in Fresno County. There are three regularly organized: Fresno City, Fair View, and Mountain View.
Sabbath, June 23, I met with the Mountain View church (Burrough Valley); held two meetings on that day. At the forenoon service, the subject of the sanctuary and its cleansing was presented, with a consideration of the solemn times in which we live, and the grave responsibilities of the present hour, resting upon all who have the light of present truth. The social meeting which followed gave evidence of an earnest desire and a strong determination to obtain a deeper consecration to the work of God. Every Sabbath-keeper in the house, including a number of youth, gave a feeling testimony.
The afternoon meeting was devoted to the interests of Healdsburg College. Its object and character were set before our people, and the importance of immediate preparation to labor in the cause of God strongly urged upon them. Several of this company, and perhaps others in the vicinity, expect to enter the College during the coming year.
On the following Tuesday evening, a meeting was held in behalf of the missionary and Sabbath-school work. The solemn duty to sustain these enterprises by our personal efforts, means, and prayers, was pointed out from the Scriptures. As a result, it is believed that our brethren and sisters here will take hold of the work with greater interest and zeal than before. God has rich blessings in store for this church, if they will become fully consecrated to his cause and faithfully follow the leadings of his Spirit.
This company is very favorably situated for spiritual growth and prosperity in many respects, as all but three or four of the residents of the valley are Sabbath-keepers. The public district school is under their full control, and here a devoted teacher could accomplish much for the advancement of truth. It is to be hoped that our people here will take pains to obtain the services of such a teacher. It may be here stated for the information of all our people thus situated, that it would be well for them to correspond with the president of our College whenever in need of a teacher, as there are always Sabbath-keeping students in the school who are competent to teach in the public schools and who have this work in view. The College affords an excellent opportunity for making a thorough preparation for teaching, although this is not its special object.
Wednesday night, June 27, I met with the Fair View church (Temperance Colony). Here, as before, the relation of our College to the cause of God was presented, and the importance of preparing for active labor in spreading the truth specially emphasized. Every family of Sabbath-keepers was visited besides a number of others who are not of our people. The promise of several students from this church was received, together with several who do not profess the truth. The Lord has precious souls in this little company, and if they become "not weary in well-doing," but communicate some of their zeal to those around them, they and others who are out of the ark of safety will be saved at Jesus' coming.
Sabbath, June 30, I was with the church in Fresno City. Essentially the same plan was pursued here as at Burrough Valley. Considerable interest in the College was manifested by all our brethren and sisters present. I met here as at both the other churches some noble young people who have an earnest desire to labor for the truth more actively. Some of them have decided to enter the College the coming year, and the only reason for hesitation in any case was the lack of means. I trust that the way may open for all of these earnest souls to receive the benefits of our College. Probation will soon close, the harvest is ripe, the laborers are few. In the providence of God, I believe that Healdsburg College may accomplish much for the advancement of the Third Angel's Message. May it not, therefore, reasonably expect the patronage, prayers, and support of all the people of God on this coast?
CHAS. C. RAMSEY.