California Church Work and Planned Camp-Meeting by John Norton Loughborough

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 22, 1873

California Church Work and Planned Camp-Meeting

By John Norton Loughborough

California.

Our last report was made by Bro. Cornell, about one week since. In that, he stated the vote on the Sabbath question. Since then, we have passed through another week. Last Sabbath, we had two interesting meetings, well attended forenoon and afternoon. In the afternoon, there was a good, spirited social meeting, and some good, stirring testimonies were given. We have formed acquaintance with at least forty persons who have decided and commenced to keep the Lord’s Sabbath. There are about fifty in all who have already taken their stand by vote, at least, for the whole truth. We shall continue a few days, to follow up the work.

It is our design now, to spend the summer in this valley, and to follow the labors of the summer with a camp-meeting, to be held not far from Napa. Our brethren in this State are already arousing to the subject of the camp-meeting, and I wish here to make some suggestions relative to it.

1. We would like to commence this camp-meeting, Wednesday, Sept. 17, and continue until Tuesday morning, Sept. 23d. From encouragement received from our churches in this State as to time, we will announce the above as the definite time of the meeting.

2. We wish each church to take immediate action relative to the matter, and decide how many will go, at least, so far as to decide the number of tents they will need, and then make them of domestic, or secure their tents at once, so that the last days before the meeting shall not be crowded with these cares. Let your tents be made, or secured, and that care will be out of the way.

3. Remember that last year was our first experience in camp-meetings in this State. Our notice was short; our preparations were necessarily hurried; we were many of us wearied. I hope all will overlook any confusion that may have been there, owing to lack of preparations, or hurry in consequence of short notice. Let us all begin in season, this year, that we may not be thus hurried again.

4. We recommend that all make their arrangements to camp on the ground Tuesday evening, Sept. 16. We can then have the forenoon of the 17th to arrange tables, etc., and the opening address be given at 2 p. m., the 17th.

5. Let each church send their tents and bed-ticks, and one or two men (according to the size of the church) one day in advance. Let these men with tents arrive on the grounds Monday night. They can camp in the large tent, which we will have erected. Tuesday, they can assist in seating the grounds, erect the small tents, and fill the ticks, so that when families arrive Tuesday evening they will find their tents all ready to enter and occupy, without any confusion.

6. We will arrange for a victualing stand, as last year, so that bread, fruit, etc., can be furnished upon the ground. There is a living stream of pure, spring water running by the ground we expect to occupy. And our hay is already secured, to be delivered upon the grounds. These two items will avoid two of our greatest perplexities of last year.

7. I learn by letter from Bro. Canright, received last evening, that he expects to be with us at our camp-meeting, if the Lord will, to enter upon the work in the California Conference. The camp-meeting will probably close Bro. Cornell’s labors in this State, for the present. He expects to start, immediately after the camp-meeting, to Washington Territory and Oregon to establish a mission there.

8. We all need the influence of the camp-meeting. It will be agreeable to old believers to become acquainted with those who have newly embraced the truth, and it will also be a matter of great encouragement to young believers to see and hear from older hands in the work. Association in this work, if rightly conducted, tends to cement hearts, and give strength and permanency to the work.

9. We request all to make the camp-meeting a subject of special prayer, that God may guide in relation to it, and that we may all come up to it in a frame of mind to share the rich blessing of God. Especially should the last days before the camp-meeting be devoted to seeking God. Do not come to the meeting merely for a season of recreation from worldly pursuits. That, the meeting will be of itself. But let the prominent thought in our minds be the spiritual benefit of ourselves, and our friends who may come to the meeting.

We will give a more definite statement in our next of the place where the meeting will be held, so that all who wish may readily find it. Let us all be active and earnest in spreading the truth by every lawful means.

J. N. Loughborough.

Napa, Cal., July 8, 1873.