p. 174 | J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH by John Norton Loughborough

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 11, 1873

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH

By John Norton Loughborough

California.

In reading Bro. Butler’s report of the Indiana Camp meeting, I saw an item that reminded me of one on our own camp-ground at Yountville. He spoke of the man who the minister said would be disgusted by attending the camp-meeting, and who, on attending, embraced the truth. A good, spirited meeting, where the people take hold with a will, and show indeed that they are terribly in earnest, and withal where the power of God is manifest, is one of the most effective means on earth to break down prejudice.

When we pitched our tent in Napa, a number of Baptists attended our meetings, and became deeply interested in the truth. They had three deacons in their church, two residing in the place, and one living at Yountville. The two residing in Napa heard attentively, embraced the truth, and signed their names to a covenant to keep the Sabbath. The other deacon who resides at Yountville did not have the privilege of attending the meetings at Napa, and he, according to his own confession afterward, was somewhat prejudiced against this work—by hearsay. He concluded to attend the camp-meeting. The power of God, and earnest godliness manifested there, broke down his prejudice. He listened with attention, and the Sabbath following the camp-meeting, in the tent, upon the camp-ground, he confessed the truth, and took his stand with us to keep the Sabbath and all of God’s commandments. On first-day, he signed his name to the covenant, with the Napa company. These things remind me forcibly of the scripture, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord.”

Since my report last week, I have had six interesting meetings here in Oakland. A few, as I mentioned in my last, have taken their stand here. At our meeting three weeks since in San Francisco, they earnestly requested me to visit them. I have taken this first opportunity to do so. I find here six or eight persons keeping the Sabbath. Most of these have taken their stand on the truth as the result of reading our publications, and explanations and conversations on the truth by lay members of our church. I gave four discourses in Library Hall, held a good social meeting on the Sabbath, and a business meeting on first-day afternoon. A goodly number of the brethren and sisters were over each day from San Francisco, which was encouraging to the few here, as not very many from without came in. Outside parties who did attend were deeply interested, and we trust some more of them will yet take their stand with the humble few.

We are already instructed by the General Conference and leading brethren how such “world’s thoroughfares of travel” should be entered, so did not expect great things as the result of this meeting; but we desired to strengthen and encourage the few who had come out, and do what could be done at this time. In the business meeting, the covenant was presented, which several signed, and we trust others will be ready to sign soon. A Sabbath-school and Bible-class were also organized. These few manifested a desire and a will to do what they can. We expect to see their numbers increase, and trust, in the Lord’s own good time, to see even a large company raised up in Oakland.

Next Sabbath and first-day, we have an important quarterly meeting at Bloomfield, which, in fact, will amount almost to a quarterly Conference, as our State officers of Conference and Missionary Society are to be together to deliberate on the best ways and means to advance the interest of the cause in all its departments in this State.

We expect immediately following that meeting to be favored with the presence of Bro. and sister White upon this coast. May they enjoy a peaceful winter in our mild climate, make further advancement up the hill of health, and be prospered in all their labors and efforts to do good while with us. And may we in California be prepared and willing to second their efforts to advance the cause of truth.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH

Oakland, Oct. 28, 1873.