Good Work at Petaluma, Cal.
By Editor
OUR Progress Department having gone to press when the Signs of the Times, containing the following report from Bro. Canright dated, Petaluma, Cal., April 5, 1875, was received, we give it in this place:— “We have now held meetings here five weeks, and the Lord has been pleased to bless our labors beyond what we expected. The weather has been pleasant most of the time, only twice has it rained enough to injure the meetings. There were about a dozen Sabbath-keepers here who had held on alone for six years, with very little labor or prospect of addition. It seemed to be a hard and unpromising field; but the way opened favorably for another course of lectures, and, by the advice of Bro. White, I came here, though I desired another field. “Some of the time we have had an audience of three hundred, but most of the time it has averaged about seventy-five, and these have attended almost constantly. Bro. and sister White spent a few days here; and sister White remained twelve days, speaking a part of the time in each meeting. I was very glad of this help. Seventeen grown persons have taken their stand with us upon the Sabbath. We still continue our meetings with some hopes of reaching a few more. “There are some very interesting cases among those who have come out. One brother had become almost a confirmed skeptic by seeing the inconsistent lives of professed Christians, and the unreasonable doctrines held by the churches. The doctrines of the sleep of the dead, and the destruction of the wicked commended themselves to his judgment; and the fulfillment of prophecy gave him faith in the Bible. With tears and deep emotion he now expresses his thankfulness for the truth. An educated Catholic lady and her parents have embraced the truth. She publicly renounced Catholicism and took her stand with us. For years she has held the highest grade certificate as a teacher. We hope she may be an ornament to the truth, and useful in the cause. In several cases we can see the direct providence of God in leading and preparing these souls to see the truth. Had these lectures been given six months ago, scarcely a soul of these who have come out would have been so situated as to have heard us, but now they were all ripe for the truth. Shall we not acknowledge the hand of God in this? How important that we be directed by the Lord in our labor, when and where he has prepared souls for the truth. Last Sabbath was a good day for us. Over thirty were present, all Sabbath-keepers. Those who had lately embraced the truth publicly confessed it. Six united with the church, and others will come in soon. On Sunday, we had a full house, when six persons were buried with Christ in baptism. Among these, was one brother whose wife embraced the Sabbath four years since. He was then an infidel133and opposed to the truth; but, after carefully examining the present truth over and over, he gave up his unbelief, embraced the third angel’s message, and is now heartily joined with us and with his most excellent wife. Is not this the work of God? The little church here have great reason for gratitude to God for what he has wrought in their midst. It should be to them renewed evidence that God’s hand is in this work, and with his servants.”