CALIFORNIA STATE QUARTERLY MEETING by John Norton Loughborough

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 20, 1876

CALIFORNIA STATE QUARTERLY MEETING

By John Norton Loughborough

The first State quarterly meeting of the Cal. T. and M. Society for this year, was held, as appointed, with the Oakland church, on the opening of the new year, and in connection with our fast day. It was a solemn and profitable time. At the commencement of the Sabbath, Dec. 31, a discourse was given by Bro. Waggoner on the message to the Laodiceans. Rev. 3. This was designed to lead to self-examination.

The fast day, Jan. 1, was opened with a social meeting at 9 A. M., in which many stirring testimonies were given and solemn vows made. At 11 A. M., a discourse was given by the writer on the nature of a Bible fast, the humiliation and confession that should go with fasting, and the results following such a fast, all of which were illustrated by instances of Scripture fasts.

At 2 P. M., a most impressive and touching discourse was given by sister White from Heb. 12:1–5. In this discourse she was deeply moved, and her tender words of entreaty touched all hearts as she spoke of the compassion of Christ for us, and the tenderness which should characterize our course toward each other.

After a brief intermission, the ordinance of humility (John 13) was celebrated. It seemed appropriate on this occasion. This was followed by a social meeting pervaded by the solemn presence of the Lord. This meeting was held till about the closing moments of the Sabbath when the emblems of the broken body and spilled blood of our Lord were passed, and thus closed our solemn fast. May our good impressions and vows be carried out.

The most of first-day was spent in business meetings of the district and State T. & M. Society. One special object before the meeting was the extension of the circulation of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES in unison with the effort being made by our brethren in the East; and it was the sense of the meeting that there should be raised, on the Pacific Coast, during 1876, two thousand subscribers to the SIGNS. Bro. White thought it the best plan to get persons to subscribe themselves at whole or half pay, or to send the names of those candid persons whom we may induce to read it, paying for it ourselves. Some promised to furnish as many as 100 names, some 75, some 10, and all expressed a determination to take hold and extend the circulation of our excellent paper.

After the T. & M. business was disposed of, there was a yearly finance meeting for the Oakland church. In this meeting, Bro. White made some interesting remarks on the necessity for a house of worship in Oakland as well as in San Francisco. These remarks were well received, and a vote was taken that a committee of three be appointed to look for a lot, and to see what can be secured in pledges for a Seventh-day Adventist meeting-house in Oakland.—J. N. L., in SIGNS.

The report of the business proceedings of this quarterly meeting shows the following summary of work done:— No. of families visited, 38; No. of letters written, 63. No. of new subscribers for INSTRUCTOR, 9; REFORMER, 5; SIGNS, 29; VOICE OF TRUTH, 1. No. of trial subscribers renewed, REVIEW, 3. Distribution of reading matter: No. of REVIEWS, 97; INSTRUCTORS, 144; REFORMERS, 26; SIGNS, 540; VOICE OF TRUTH, 8. No. of pages of tracts and pamphlets distributed, 30,190, value, $32.94; books loaned, 15. Money received for membership, $6.00; By donations, 13.50; Book sales, 5.40; Total, $24.90.

Bro. White spoke with interest on the matter of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, and of the zeal manifested by the brethren in the East, not only in furnishing the SIGNS Office with engine, presses, and type, but in subscribing for the SIGNS for themselves and their friends. This was followed by remarks from directors and members present.