California Church Visits and Missionary Organizing, 1873 by John Norton Loughborough

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 20, 1874

California Church Visits and Missionary Organizing, 1873

By John Norton Loughborough

California.

My last report was made Nov. 27, 1873. Nov. 29 and 30, attended the quarterly meeting at Healdsburg. At this meeting a Vigilant Missionary Society was organized.

December 6 and 7, had an interesting two days’ meeting at Napa, and the 13th and 14th, was with the company at St. Helena. Organized Systematic Benevolence, amounting to $210.60 per year; also organized a Missionary Society for St. Helena. Two more signed the covenant while I was at St. Helena.

Sabbath, December 20, I spent with the church in San Francisco. Quite a portion of this church are in favor of moving on with the body of Sabbath-keepers, while a few are disposed to find fault with the leaders in the cause, and go out by themselves. This perplexed state of things cannot always exist, and we hope none will be embarrassed in their efforts to arise by the backwardness of the complainers.

At Oakland, I had two meetings on first-day, the 21st. The few there are holding on. They have formed a Missionary Society, and organized s. b., amounting to over $50.00 per year, and are doing what they can to interest others in the truth.

December 27 and 28, attended quarterly meeting at Petaluma. Here we had an excellent meeting. Although this church have had but four sermons during the past year, they are holding on with good courage, and have paid the full amount of their s. b. funds, about $300.00, into the State treasury, to be used in extending the work to others; and they have increased their figures, that they may still put side and shoulder to the work. Such, as might be supposed, feast on the news of the advancement of the truth in other places.

December 29, it was my privilege to meet Bro. and sister White and Bro. and sister Van Horn, who had arrived the night before in San Francisco. I accompanied them to Santa Rosa, where, with some of our State officers, we enjoyed two days of sweet counsel together. We felt much profited also in learning from their lips of the wonderful work of God that has been going forward during their visit in the East. We rejoiced with them to see Bro. White so free, and are thankful that he is in so good health and is of good courage in the Lord.

Bro. Van Horn accompanied me to Napa, where, on Jan. 3 and 4, we held very interesting meetings. During this meeting, s. b. was organized for the Napa church, amounting to $838.76 per year. Their new meeting-house is ready for the plastering. They now design to have it all completed, and free from debt, by April 1.

Although we have trials, we are encouraged at the prospect of the cause for the future in California. I trust, as the spring opens, and we enter vigorously upon the work, we shall see the cause advancing upon this coast as never before. May we all find our place, and faithfully do our part in the work. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Woodland, Jan. 7, 1874.