p. 30 | California Tent Lectures and Woodland Church Report

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 8, 1873

California Tent Lectures and Woodland Church Report

By John Norton Loughborough

California.

My last report was dated June 9. We had then given about fourteen lectures in our new tent, in Napa. We have now given thirty-one lectures, and sold over $41.00 worth of books. The people have contributed $30.71 toward our expenses. We have canvassed the Sabbath question quite thoroughly; one opposition sermon has been given by a minister of the Christian denomination, at their church. To this, a reply was given by Bro. Cornell, in the tent. This has served to increase the interest. A Bible-class was held last Sabbath, attended by about sixty. We do not know yet how many of these were keeping the Sabbath. There are, at least, twenty that we know of, who have taken their stand upon the truth, and still the work goes on. We shall continue here while the interest demands.

Last Sabbath and first-day, I was with the church at Woodland and gave four discourses, and had one social meeting. Two more were baptized, and united to the church on first-day. Those who have come out in Woodland, seem to be in earnest in the work, and have interesting prayer and social meetings, and a good Sabbath-school and Bible-class, without preachers. One of their number wrote to us here that they “thought the Sabbath-keepers in Woodland, in their meetings, had more interesting times, even without a preacher, than the other churches did with all their preachers.” The interest is such that quite a number of those outside of the church attend the Sabbath meetings there. If all make it a point to be active in the work, they may expect to be “blessed in the deed.” If all strive, in deportment, dress, conversation, and deal, to show that the hope of life, and the better world, has a larger place in their hearts than this world, then may their influence always tell for the right. We cannot go along neglectful of our duty in obeying the Lord’s word, and expect his blessing. We claim, as a people, to have light and truth in advance of anything that has gone before us. Has not this truth, with God’s blessing, power to hold us to our purpose to do right?

Some in Woodland, even outside the church, are watching to see if this people will be humble, and conform to the Scriptures, or, whether they, like some other denominations, will fall into pride, dress, and jewelry-wearing. The Bible is very plain on this subject: “Not wearing gold,” &c. “Not the putting on of gold,” &c. Why is it not just as easy to do what the book says in that as in other matters? and, if it is needful to wear collar pins and cuff buttons, why is not simple jet or ivory just as useful as gold? And then it leaves no ground for the claim that in this our practice is against the plain letter of the Bible. As for finger rings, I know not what plea is made for them. They certainly do not help the circulation of the blood, and are only used as ornaments. I am glad to see as great an advancement as there is at Woodland, in laying aside useless adornings, and hope progress will still be made, and none turn back to take up what they have once laid down. Those who are struggling against the filthy weed, tobacco, have our sympathies and prayers that they may gain complete victory.

We learn by letter from Healdsburg, that they had an excellent quarterly meeting there the 14th and 15th inst. From the different churches, we learn that their Sabbath meetings are good. All express an anxiety for the spread of the truth. Although they enjoy preaching when they can hear it, they say, “Go and bring souls into the truth, we will hold on as best we can without a preacher.” May the Lord bless them.

It is just five years to-day since Eld. Bourdeau and myself embarked from New York city on the steamer, Rising Star, with our then new tent for California. We little knew of the labor incident to planting a new mission, or we might have come with our hearts more fully consecrated to the work, and a greater supply of God’s Spirit. Looking over the past, we have great reason to thank God for the success that has already attended the work. The California Mission has not been without its trials and discouragements, but these are no food for the saints abroad, and we will not parade them here. The Lord has truly wrought for us, or the cause would never have survived, and come to that state of prosperity it now enjoys. It has been our endeavor to incite all to a spirit of promptness in every respect, not only in the discharge of their practical duties in meeting and out, but to be also prompt in paying their pledges on S. B. Some have had the idea, because I wished them to be prompt, that I was anxious to get hold of the means. I have no boasting to do, but will simply say, my greatest anxiety in this respect has been to see “fruit abound to their account,” and to see all prosper in the Lord. This I know will result from prompt action in every respect. I think the brethren have been anxious to do more for me, in point of means, than I wished them to do. So I have no misgivings on that point.

As the work has increased, it has become absolutely necessary that others should take part of the burdens which one might bear when the work was but just beginning. It is just as necessary for all to be prompt now as ever. Missionary officers can urge up the members, librarians, and business agents, to their respective duties, and all can be active in the work. I think it will go better when all learn what is expected of them. If I have failed to explain to the officers of the different departments of the work here their duties, then blame rests upon me. If we all know our duties, let us perform the work “faithfully,” and not “negligently.” Systematic Benevolence Treasurers are expected here to collect the S. B. and make their report at the first of each quarter, namely, first of January, April, July, and October. Members must not take it amiss because the Treasurer asks them for the sum they have pledged. We need to keep these matters straight, first, to be ready to meet contingent expenses in our own State, second, as our fund increases, so that we may, it will do the people of this State as much good to extend the mission to other parts of the Pacific coast, as it did our brethren east to extend the work to California.

The Librarian or business agent in each division of our missionary society, is expected to notify each subscriber to REVIEW, Instructor, and Reformer, in his respective division, when his time is nearly expired, and give him opportunity to renew his subscription if he will, the President and Secretary of the missionary society, of course, furnishing his lists of subscribers at suitable times. All our members are expected to take an active part in circulating tracts and pamphlets, obtaining new subscribers to the papers, and in doing all they can to awaken interest in these Bible truths. When we all learn what is expected of us, and act promptly, then the work will move on harmoniously. I trust, dear brethren and sisters of the California Conference, that you will prosper during the summer, while we are making efforts to extend the borders of the work. About Sept. 17, we ought to rally all of our forces for a general camp-meeting and State Conference, at some central point, say, somewhere in Napa Valley, where all can assemble from Sonoma and Yolo Counties, and all other parts. It is none too soon to be laying our plans, and making preparations. Last year, our notice was too short; all were too much hurried in preparing for the meeting. There were not tents enough for all our people that came. We ought to have at least forty tents this fall, if not more. Let each church and company take up the matter immediately, decide how many tents they will need, and make the tents at once, so as not to be hurried with tent-making up to the last day before starting. Where possible, secure permanent tents, for while the work continues, we shall want tents for our yearly camp-meetings. We can buy, for about $15.00 apiece, tents 10x12, of heavy drilling, for those who wish them. Let us be active, and with all, let us earnestly seek God to bless the labors of the summer, and abundantly bless the general assembly of his people in the camp-meeting.

Don’t begin to say, I can’t go to the meeting; but say, I must go, and then all things will bend to it. If you think you can’t attend, it will come out as “I can’t” generally does. May we all, in all things, move with that faith which “smiles at seeming impossibilities and says, It must be done.” Pray for the success of the work here, and everywhere.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Napa, Cal., June 24, 1873.