The Cause in California Conference by Stephen Nelson Haskell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 14, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 19.

The Cause in California Conference.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

IT is now three weeks since I arrived in California, and I have had the privilege of attending the annual meetings of the College, the Publishing Association, and the Health Retreat, and the quarterly meeting of the State Tract and Missionary Society. By these meetings I have been enabled to obtain a general idea of the condition of the cause in this State. It is evident that the providence of God is over the work in California, and from the stand-point of those who believe in the solemn warning of Rev. 14:9-12, we are upon the eve of far greater changes in the work of God than we have seen in the past.

The financial prosperity which has attended the office of publication during the past year vindicates the sacrificing efforts of those who have labored in connection with it. The number of laborers who go out from the College, and many encouraging features in the annual reports, also show that God's providence is over this branch of the work, and that he has regarded the efforts of his people to prepare individuals to labor in his cause. The Tract and Missionary Society gives evidence of marked prosperity, showing that the blessing of God has rested upon this Conference.

The result of the prosperity which has attended the work makes it necessary to enlarge in many directions, but these improvements are not for any worldly business. It is not necessary that there be improvements in the property of the Association which will call at once for an increased outlay of means. Those who attended the annual meeting of the Association felt well satisfied with the improvements of the past year, and while the present increase of business would call for greater facilities, it is not expected that further improvements will be made for doing outside business.

We are thankful that there is now, to a greater extent than ever in the past, a demand that the facilities which have heretofore been devoted to outside work be devoted to our own denominational work. This will not bring the pecuniary profit to the Association that outside business would, but our brethren will be pleased to make up any deficiency which may arise as the result of publishing the truth for which the building was erected.

The fact that the church in Oakland has so increased in numbers that it is necessary to have a larger house of worship, must be a source of encouragement to all who are interested in the work. The same may be said with reference to the church in Healdsburg. Steps have already been taken to erect a house of worship in that place; one which will accommodate about 1,000 persons. These new enterprises indicate real growth in numbers and spirituality, for as these steps are being taken there is a hearty co-operation on the part of our brethren and sisters. It is evident that if the brethren and sisters on the Pacific Coast are faithful to the trust God has committed to them, he will yet do great things for them. It is a privilege that God gives his people, to bear responsibilities in his work; and if we are faithful, our reward will be in proportion

to the amount of responsibility that we bear. God's providence never lays responsibilities upon us without imparting grace to bear them. The greater the difficulties which we may have to meet, in the discharge of the duties which may devolve upon us, the greater the victory when the conflict is over. We should possess more zeal than did the apostles and early Christians, and we should have no less devotion to the service of God. The interest taken in foreign missions also shows that the Spirit of God is moving upon the hearts of the people in this Conference as well as in others. We look forward, not to a time when there will be less responsibilities to be borne and less sacrifices to be made. There will be greater responsibilities, and greater sacrifices required in the future than have ever yet been made. All have the privilege of having a part in the cause, and of making sacrifices for its advancement; but should any neglect to discharge the duties resting upon them, or fail to walk in the light because of the difficulties which they have to meet, they will be the losers, but the cause will go on.

Now is the time to put forth special efforts for the spread of the truth. There never was a time when labor and means would tell more for the work of God than the present. A thousand dollars now are worth as much as ten thousand will be in a few years from this. Missions at home and abroad are demanding our especial attention. Hearts are prepared to receive the truth everywhere. There are pressing calls for canvassers, colporters, ministers, and laborers of all kinds. If our laborers were multiplied by ten we could not fill the openings for labor.

The future of this Conference depends altogether upon the course of those who profess to believe in these solemn truths. If God calls men to give of their means and they withhold, his providence will not prosper them. But their resources will dry up. “Riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” “Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the Lord of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house. Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit.”

Those who are faithful God will honor with his blessing in their basket and in their store. There are many to whom he has intrusted talents; some with means, others with ability to canvass, to preach, or to labor in other respects. What account will we give of the use we have made of these talents lent us? To put them out to usury, is to invest in the cause of Christ. To bury them in the earth, is to have them where they only add to our personal interests. It is daily my prayer that God may bless this Conference, and his divine leading be seen in this, his own work. S. N. H.