THE CALIFORNIA CAMP-MEETING.
By William C. White
The camp-meeting and annual Conference of our people in the State of California was held at Fairfax, Marina Co., Sept. 20–28. The following report is hastily given for the REVIEW, in advance of the regular report for the SIGNS, accompanied with this statement: “The following is a plain simple statement of the facts relative to our good camp-meeting for 1876.” Our camp-meeting is now in the past. It was one of the most solemn, and finally, one of the most triumphant, meetings that we ever attended. Prior to the meeting the prospect seemed discouraging on account of the scarcity of workers. Eld. Waggoner was in Oregon, and Eld. Loughborough was the only experienced minister in the State. Eld. Healey, who was afterward strengthened to participate in the labors of the meeting, was reported to be so slowly recovering from fever that it would be dangerous for him to attend. There seemed to be no other source from which to expect material aid, and the feeling prevailed in the church that without the special blessing of God, Eld. Loughborough would sink under his load of care and discouragement, and the meeting would prove, at least, a partial failure. Earnest prayers were offered for several weeks before the meeting, asking the favor of God upon our efforts, and when the people came together it was with a sense that something must be done, and with a thorough determination to work for its accomplishment. The committee with a large force of hands had cleared the ground in the Valley, and pitched the tents, so that on Wednesday, when most of us arrived, we found about fifty tents up, besides the large congregation tent, which was 60 by 100 feet. The work progressed rapidly until Thursday noon, when there were sixty-six family tents up, only two or three of which were taken down before the final breaking up of the camp. The meetings were all interesting and well attended. The social meetings were marked with117great earnestness and freedom, entirely devoid of all excitement. The feeling prevailed that this was to be a season of heart-searching and humble prayer to God that his Spirit would return and bless his people here, and that he would give them wisdom and grace to advance. Owing to the nature of the work to which all present felt that the meeting should chiefly be devoted, as well as the lack of ministerial aid, little effort was made to call in the crowd; and, as a consequence, the outside attendance was somewhat less than that of last year. But the attendance of our own people was regular, there being between three and four hundred steady campers. On Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 20th, the meeting opened with a discourse by Eld. Loughborough, setting forth the object and design of the meeting, and giving the church some wholesome advice as to how they could best reap lasting benefit from it. In the evening Bro. J. L. Wood spoke from the second chapter of Daniel. Thursday morning at six, many assembled in the large tent and spent half an hour in prayer. The morning meetings throughout the week were devoted to singing and prayer. Thursday forenoon Eld. Loughborough spoke upon the church at Thessalonica, showing that, as the zeal and faithfulness of that church were used by the apostle to provoke others to faith and good works, so the increased activity of our brethren in certain parts of the field should inspire us with new zeal and earnestness in the cause of truth. In the afternoon Bro. Wood again spoke from the prophecy of Daniel, carrying out the line of his first discourse. Thursday evening Eld. Loughborough read a Conference Address, in which he gave an outline history of the rise and progress of the cause on this coast, with a summary of the ministerial labor expended, and of all means applied to the financial support of this mission, whether raised here or received from the East. The Address clearly set forth the mistakes made by the California brethren in the past, particularly at their last camp-meeting, and exhorted them to faithfulness, confidence and united, earnest action in carrying on the work given us in these last days, and to stay up the hands of those whose energies are entirely devoted to this work. Friday morning the social meeting was of special interest. Several testimonies were borne by those who had but just come into the truth. One brother stated that while he was visiting his aunt, he accidentally picked up a copy of the SIGNS. He read it, and, without saying a word, took his Bible, intending to prove by the Scriptures themselves that the doctrines taught in that paper were false. But after searching for some time in the vain hope of finding some text to controvert the doctrines he had read, he was obliged to abandon the task, and he with his wife became convinced of their truth, and embraced the Seventh-day Adventist faith. They had then been keeping the Sabbath about one month. Another brother immediately rose and said that he too first became interested in the truth by reading. While watching at the bedside of his sick brother, he saw a copy of the SIGNS, and, as he expressed it, “picked it up carelessly, but laid it down carefully;” for while reading it he became convinced that the seventh day was the Lord’s Sabbath. Since that time he had been trying to keep it sacred. The preaching during this day was of a practical nature. In the afternoon Eld. W. H. Healey occupied the stand, speaking about an hour with great freedom. Though weak from his recent illness when he came on the ground, and trembling with physical weakness when he entered the desk, he seemed to gain strength by the effort, and although after this he preached nearly every day during the camp-meeting, he continued rapidly to recover. The meetings were also of a practical nature and exceedingly interesting. At the close of the morning discourse the Conference Address was again read by Dr. M. G. Kellogg, as quite a number of those present had not heard its first reading. On closing, Bro. Kellogg made some remarks indorsing the Address and stating that if a spirit of forbearance instead of rashness had been entertained at the last camp-meeting, great evils would have been avoided. At the close of the afternoon discourse, those who were determined to renew their consecration to God, and to live devoted, self-sacrificing lives, manifested their desire by coming to the front seats, and in many cases by giving their earnest testimonies. Afterwards, those just beginning a Christian life separated themselves from the rest, and sincere prayer was offered in their behalf. Deep feeling pervaded the whole congregation. On Sunday forenoon Eld. Loughborough presented the position of the United States in the light of Prophecy. In the afternoon he introduced the subject of the Third Message, showing the relation which the Sabbath bears to it. From one thousand to fifteen hundred persons were present, and all listened attentively to the preaching. The meeting at 5 P. M. was devoted to the children, who were all gathered in two tents. The meeting was opened and conducted by a few elder persons who encouraged the little ones to speak. There seemed to be a general desire among the children to elevate their young lives to the path of duty, and during the remainder of the camp-meeting their conduct proved the sincerity of their words. Twice during the camp-meeting a half hour was spent in singing Sabbath-school songs with the children, who took a lively interest in the exercise. Of the Conference were short and very interesting. Twelve churches were represented by delegates, and two by letter. Twenty-one delegates were present. The officers elected for the ensuing year were as follows: J. N. Loughborough, President; Wm. Saunders, Secretary; Geo. G. Manuel, Treasurer. John Morrison and W. C. White were appointed to act with the President as Conference Committee. The following resolutions were adopted by a rising vote, the whole Conference requesting the privilege of thus expressing themselves:— Whereas, It has pleased our Heavenly Father, in answer to the earnest petitions of his people, to bless us with clearer views of duty, and, Whereas, Eld. Loughborough was appointed to prepare an Address to the Conference, in which address he has clearly set forth wherein we have failed in the past; and, in a brief history of the cause on this coast, has shown us those who have labored unselfishly, and in whom we should have confidence, therefore be it Resolved, That we heartily indorse said Conference Address, believing that the facts stated therein are in strict accordance with the truth, and we recommend that it be published in the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, in connection with the report of the proceedings of the Conference. Resolved, That in view of the facts stated in the Conference Address, whereby we perceive that Eld. White has, by his means and influence, helped the work on this coast as no other man could, and has always labored unselfishly for the best interests of the cause, we do heartily deplore the spirit of murmuring that has rendered his labors extremely arduous among us, especially during his last visit, and we do cordially extend to both Bro. and Sr. White our fullest sympathy and confidence, to which they are justly entitled; and we invite them to spend as much of their time with us as is consistent with the general interests of the cause. Resolved, That our thanks are due to the General Conference for their watch-care and tender regard in sending some of their most efficient laborers to us, and we desire to show our appreciation of their kindness by hearty co-operation with them, and giving them that ready support to which their arduous and unselfish labors entitle them at our hands. Resolved, That we hereby express our thanks to the Camp-meeting Committee for their efforts in fitting up the grounds and otherwise aiding to make the meeting a success. Several urgent calls were made for labor in important and encouraging fields. Credentials were renewed to Elds. J. N. Loughborough, W. H. Healey and M. G. Kellogg, and Brn. J. L. Wood, R. A. Morton, John Judson, Andrew Brorsen, J. E. White, Isaac Morrison and B. A. Stephens received licenses. The payment of Systematic Benevolence during the past year has been unusually prompt and full. Over $2500 had been raised, which, after paying all dues, left a little more than $300 in the treasury. The Auditing Committee recommended that the San Francisco church should pay the Conference at their earliest convenience the $1000 loaned them one year ago. It was proposed to make an appropriation to the General Conference; but as the sentiment ruled that they should be just before they were generous, the Conference voted $1100 to Eld. White for actual time spent laboring in this State. At a session of the Conference on Wednesday, the publishing work was considered. A statement was made showing that while the Office building and lot had been paid for so nobly, and the necessary machinery and material so liberally donated, there was yet a debt upon the stock of paper and books, and the Publishing Association was sadly cramped for means to increase its stock by publishing large editions of books, the sale of which would result in considerable profit. The Auditing Committee recommended that the Conference take measures to raise $5000 in stock of the Association, and thereupon a subscription was started, which in about an hour resulted in raising the specified sum. Since then an additional $100 has been pledged, making a total of $5,100 new stock in the Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association. $1200 was then raised toward clearing the SIGNS from debt, and a considerable portion of this sum was paid on the ground. The Missionary Meetings indicated an awakening interest in the work. Several discourses were addressed to the missionary workers, and if the way in which they loaded up with books and tracts is any indication of what they will do, the next three months will show a better report than the whole past year.