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CONFERENCE ADDRESS

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 18, 1877

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 50, No. 16.

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CONFERENCE ADDRESS.

By John Norton Loughborough

DELIVERED ON THE YOUNTVILLE CAMP-GROUND, SEPT. 17, 1877, BY ELD. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH, PRESIDENT OF CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE.
Dear Brethren and Sisters: Through the providence of our kind Heavenly Father we are spared to assemble once more in Camp and Conference meeting.
By the return of this convocation we are reminded that another year has passed. How rapidly years fly! How brief their stay! Yet in these days of steam and lightning communication, how much is crowded into one short year!
How much has transpired during the past year in fulfillment of prophecy, reminding us of the near approach of our Saviour! In the progress of the cause of present truth, one of the most ominous signs of the times, more has been done the past year than in any one year since the work began.
Of the signs of these times, our Saviour said, “There shall be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places.” As a partial fulfillment of this prediction, we refer to the great famine which has visited India for several months past, and now threatens to destroy 3,000,000 of her people before its ravages can be stayed. Pestilence, in the form of cholera, is now starting on its way, and as stated in the public prints, will probably make the circuit of the world. Of earthquakes, no year has a record of so many as the past, and many of these are about as severe as any upon record. An estimate recently made in the London Times, shows that somewhere upon the earth’s surface there is now an earthquake as often as once in three days. When we compare this statement with the fact that there were only about forty-five earthquakes in the habitable world before the first advent of Christ, we see how rapidly they are increasing.
Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes are styled by some “the shaking fits of nature.” They certainly do admonish us that we are in the times mentioned by David, when “the heavens [the atmospheric heavens] shall wax old as a garment,” preparatory to their being “folded up” and changed for new heavens and new earth. The uncertainty of climate, extreme drought in one part, excessive wet in another, and even sudden climatic changes where all was once stable, are proofs that the atmospheric heavens are growing old.
Not only do we see evidences that the heavens are waxing old, but the earth also is waxing old. The wheat-midge, the chinch-bug, the army-worm, and the grasshopper “destroy more grain and produce annually than is saved.” So says the eighth census report of the United States. The onward march of these destructive insects we regard as an incipient fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel concerning the times when “the great day of the Lord is near and hasteth greatly.”
Our Saviour said the last days should be “as the days of Noah,” when “the earth was filled with violence.” And Paul testified that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse.” The demonstrations recently made under the influence of the mob spirit, through so large a portion of the United States, should be a solemn admonition to us of what men will do when the restraining influence of God’s Spirit is taken from them. If men will act as they did in the great labor strikes while God’s Spirit still strives, what confusion may we not expect when his Spirit shall cease to strive?
The Russo-Turkish war, now raging in the Eastern world, is also an evident sign of the times. The sure and steady march of the Russians toward Constantinople is itself a demonstration that we are near the time when the Turk must be driven from his present capital in Europe and move to Jerusalem, thus “planting the tabernacle of his palaces between the seas, in the glorious holy mountain,” where he is to “come to his end with none to help him,” as predicted in Dan. 11:45. Then it is said “Michael shall stand up,” “the time of trouble such as never was” shall come, and God’s people shall be delivered, “every one that is found written in the book.” Though the winds of war may be held for a time, and the Russians be kept from an immediate accomplishment of their purpose, they will undoubtedly triumph in the end. In this holding of the winds of war we see a fulfillment of Rev. 7:1–5, where it is predicted that the winds are to be held until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads. The third angel’s message, now being proclaimed, bearing on its forefront the seal (sign) of God, the Sabbath of the fourth commandment (see Ex. 30:13, 17 and Eze. 20:12, 20), we regard as that very sealing message which is doing its work, advancing with still greater rapidity every month, and preparing a people to stand when the time of trouble shall have fully come.
It is this third angel’s message, which in its onward march, has called us out as a people and made us acquainted with one another. Those professing the truths of this message have a distinct and specific work to accomplish, in warning the world to get ready for the time of trouble, the day of wrath, and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
There are responsibilities resting upon us that we cannot throw off, and should not lightly regard. It is those who have the light of truth that the Lord holds accountable for the dissemination of that truth, and letting their light shine in every way possible. I behold before me some who have been long years in the work, and others who have more recently embraced the truth. We are here, in the providence of God, permitted to meet, many of us for the first time. We are here to recount God’s mercies and benefits to us, to become more fully acquainted with one another, to become more firmly established in the truth, to learn our duty in connection with this glorious cause, and to dedicate ourselves, mind, body, and strength, to the cause of God. May the Lord guide us in all our endeavors.
As I look over this audience, and think of the past year, my heart is moved with sympathy for those who have been called to part with loved ones, and lay them in the cold, silent grave, to await the voice of God, which is soon to awaken them to life. First, Bro. Chapman’s family were called to part with their daughter Alice. She was on the camp-ground last year as sprightly and well as any of the little misses before me. Before her death, Alice said to her mother, “I am not afraid to die; I shall only sleep a little while.” Should it be the fate of any of the youth and children before me to meet death ere another camp-meeting rolls round, will they be as well prepared as Alice? Bro. and sister Eggleston were next called to part with their active little grand-daughter, Nettie. Their house has seemed lonely since Nettie is gone. Next we were informed by letter from sister Brown, of Sierra Co., of the death of her husband. Bro. Brown was among the first to embrace the truth in the vicinity of Santa Rosa. Having lived an exemplary life, with a smile, and a wave of the hand upward, he died, exhorting his friends to meet him on the other shore. Sister Brown said, “His death was so peaceful, I could only think of the scripture, ‘Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.’” Sister Woodward, of the Napa church, ever zealous and faithful in the cause of present truth, has passed away. Next in order, sad to relate, Bro. and sister Bean, of Freestone, were called, within one month, to part with four of their children. They died of that dreadful scourge, diphtheria. Their eldest, Bro. George, was a worthy member of the Bloomfield church. Mother Martin, of the Healdsburg church, at the age of threescore and ten, “like a shock of corn fully ripe,” has fallen in death and passed away. She was among the first in Healdsburg to invite Bro. Bourdeau and myself to her house. Bro. Judson has lost his youngest daughter, and Bro. and sister Morrison, of Santa Rosa, have been bereaved of their son Lewis, while he was away from home, at Battle Creek, Mich., preparing for future usefulness. Lewis has fallen asleep, but he will soon awake to join the family circle. Sister Clarinda Bowers, who embraced the truth twenty years ago in Hillsdale, Mich., died at San Jose last spring. Sister Bowers was one of those marked examples of promptness in duty, and faithfulness in Christ’s cause, rarely found. Bro. Borsen, sister Wilson, of San Francisco, and their sister, are deeply afflicted in the loss of another sister, lately arrived from Denmark. After many years of separation they were rejoiced to meet, but oh, how soon was that rejoicing turned to sadness! They are parted by death, until the Lifegiver shall come. Bro. and sister Dye, of the Woodland church, who are here on the ground, have been visited by death, in the loss of their boy, during the last ten days. Only the last week the Woodland church lost another worthy member, our devoted blind brother, Wm. Smith.
In all these cases, we are consoled by the hope that the Lifegiver is soon coming to restore to us these loved ones from the grave. May we all be faithful in the warfare, and so be prepared to meet them. Amid all our sorrows, we can rejoice in God that so many of us are spared, and are permitted to appear before him this day. While we rejoice, it is with trembling, not knowing who may be called away before another year shall roll its rounds.
During the last year there have been a very few cases of apostasy from the truth in this State. These, for the most part, have been those who have done but little themselves, financially or otherwise, for the spread of the truth, and have found a great deal of fault with those whose lives were devoted to the work, and who were determined to push on in the cause. Instead of the truth being a loser in the departure of such persons, there is a decided gain; for Christ himself has said, “He that gathereth not with me scattereth.”
In these cases you have a good opportunity of seeing an exemplification of what our ministers have said to you all the way along, that these fault-finders would eventually give up the Sabbath and the truth. The murmurers said, “Never!” but with scarcely an exception they have made a complete departure from the truths we hold sacred, while accessions to our cause the past year have been greater than in any year since the commencement of the work upon the coast.
One year ago there were fifteen companies of Sabbath-keepers in this State; now there are twenty-two. Then the number of Sabbath-keepers was 559; now it is over 700. Last year we had one tent in the field, and that was used only a part of the season, in consequence of the affliction of Bro. Healey. Bro. Wood spent about one month last year in the field, and I labored from point to point as best I could. During this year, there have been great accessions to our corps of laborers. In addition to the valuable labors and counsel of Bro. and sister White, who were with us about six months, and did most effective labor, not only among our churches, but in giving tone and shape to matters in Oakland and San Francisco, especially at the SIGNS Office, Bro. Waggoner was with us about six months, laboring among churches, and in various ways, as he had opportunity; and for about two months we were favored with the labors of Bro. U. Smith, of Battle Creek, Mich.
The Biblical Institute, conducted by Brn. James White and U. Smith, in Oakland, April last, was the dawning of brighter days in California. Since that time, we have had a number of helpers in the gospel ministry in this State, and our three tents, two in Northern and one in Southern California, have done an effective work, while much has been accomplished otherwise.
It is truly a matter of thanksgiving toGod, that, notwithstanding this large camp-meeting, our work has so spread in the last eighteen months that it has become necessary to hold another camp-meeting in Tulare Co., to accommodate those who have embraced the truth in Fresno and Tulare Counties within the last eighteen months. Instead of our work now being limited to three ministers, as it was one year ago, there are eight giving the most of their time to the work, and besides these about as many more are licensed as speakers and colporteurs, who are doing more or less to advance the cause of present truth.
In our missionary work there has been a corresponding advancement. In complying with the new arrangement proposed by the General Conference, our quarterly meetings for the fourth quarter will all be held in October, so that our report of the workings of the society for the year will embrace only the workings of the society up to July first. We will place this report of three quarters of the year by the side of the same items for last year, and it will at once show the difference. The figures are as follows:—
1876 1877
Families visited 818 1260
Ships visited 62 234
Letters written 555 625
Received by Donations $129.95 $493.12
Book Sales 65.78 672.32
New Members 71.00 47.00
Total money received $266.73 $1212.44
New Subscribers—
Battle Creek Periodicals 254 348
SIGNS OF THE TIMES 386 600
Periodicals distributed 793 1825
Almanacs 1000 6240
Signs distributed 6173 21590
Number of pages of Tracts and Pamphlets distributed 301,914 422,704
Since 1871 our State Society has purchased periodicals and tracts to the amount of about $4,000. Out of this sum there have been distributed, of tracts and pamphlets, 1,589,825 pages.
In four of our missionary districts, during the past year, quite a work has been done in taking the SIGNS in clubs, loaning them, and thus interesting the people in the truth, and obtaining many subscribers. Five of our districts have not taken the SIGNS in this manner. Those districts that have entered upon this branch of the work consider it indispensable to their success to have fresh numbers of the SIGNS each week to use in this way, and I doubt not their voices will be heard in this yearly meeting, urging others to do as they have done.
There was one item of missionary work mentioned above, to which I wish to call special attention; it is the almanac distribution. In 1876 we distributed about 1,000, while the last year we distributed through our State T. and M. Society, 6,240, besides those sold at the SIGNS Office. These almanacs have done quite a business in calling attention to our people, to our publishing house, and to our work, and have been another channel through which to bring this truth before the minds of the people.
This almanac sale and distribution should be taken hold of in season, and in greater earnestness this year. Our Missionary Society in this State should lay plans to sell and distribute at least fifteen thousand of the Pacific Coast edition by Jan. 1, thus calling the attention of at least 30,000 people to our cause and work. The almanacs will be ready a month or more earlier than last year, and if taken hold of energetically can be rushed into market in advance of the flood of patent-medicine almanacs.
In the Conference Address last year, I spoke of some matters of trial that grew out of a feeling fostered by some at the first Fairfax camp-meeting. I believe the Lord accepted the humiliation and public confession of his people at the last Fairfax meeting, and we have reason for gratitude to God for the state of unity that now exists on this coast among our people, and which is bringing forth its blessed fruit on this camp-ground.
It has taken time for some to understand how the Lord is leading in this cause, but I think the lesson is now pretty well learned, and those who have been the sacrifice and devotion of the pioneers in this work are ready to stand by them and give them sympathy and support in their efforts to extend the cause of truth.
Truly God is blessing us in mighty power on this camp-ground, and as his Spirit leads our minds to the growth, importance, and magnitude of this work it seems to me that the question is raised in all our minds, What does the Lord wish me to do? and how can I so relate myself to the work of God as to apply my quota of might, mind, and strength in advancing the cause of present truth?
These are times that call for an untying of hearts, hands, and purse strings, in order that we may ever be faithful at our post of duty, doing all in our power to forward the light of the third angel’s message.
The work here in California is only a small part of the great cause which is advancing through the earth, yet it is important to us that we do all in our power to make our work a success. As we look at the work committed to us here in this State, there are three important branches that claim our special attention. These are, 1. Our publishing house; 2. The work of the ministry; 3. The missionary work. Each and all of these continually demand aid in point of means, that the work may go forward unembarrassed.
When, over three years ago, Bro. White suggested that the SIGNS OF THE TIMES be published on this coast, and a publishing house erected, some thought he was too fast. “A paper might be needed here some time, but not yet.” Facts since developed have proved that Bro. White was right, and that the move was made none too soon. Times were much easier when this move was made than now. All can easily see that our advancing work now demands such a paper.
In the fall of 1874 about $20,000 were pledged for the publishing work; all of these pledges are not yet paid. Then again, last fall, at the Fairfax camp-meeting, pledges were made of new stock and donations to the SIGNS to relieve it from indebtedness on its past publication. One year was given to redeem these pledges, so they will be due about the middle of September. An effort should be made to meet all unpaid pledges by camp-meeting time.
The publishing work, as the cause advances, will ever be in need of funds. Those newly embracing the truth will of course esteem it a pleasure to take stock to the extent of their ability, that they also may be fellow-helpers in the truth. The Lord is coming, and we want to be found investing our substance here in that manner that we shall be laying up a treasure in Heaven. The way to do this is to do all in our power to forward the cause of truth on earth.

THE MINISTRY.

As we contemplate the work of the ministry on this coast, we have reason for gratitude to God that a few men have been raised up here who are devoting themselves to the cause. Besides our ministers we have two missionaries in San Francisco, who are giving their entire time to the work, and others in other places who are doing something in the cause. These men who are giving their time must all receive some help from the Conference. To effect amicable settlements our Auditing Committee will not wish to simply say, “Thank you.” “Depart, be ye warmed and filled.” They must have means at hand with which to settle with these men.

THE MISSIONARY WORK.

Much has been done in this State in the missionary work. More has been done the last year than in any two preceding years. There are some difficulties, however, under which we labor that should be remedied. Our State T. and M. Society is in debt at the SIGNS Office about $800, and a large part of this sum is due to the State Society from the different districts. These districts should immediately take measures to cancel their indebtedness to the State Society. Some of our churches have not met their one-third which they pledged as T. and M. fund, and considerable is due for periodicals ordered.
It does not seem right to embarrass the SIGNS Office with our debts, when it would be so small a matter to make up this indebtedness if each individual would take hold proportionately. There should be a State T. and M. fund of $1,000, to enable the State Society to pay for documents at the time of purchase. It is the purpose of our directors to make a strike this fall for $1,000 T. and M. Fund, for California. I propose as an individual to pay $50 toward this fund, and I want to find thirteen others of our brethren and sisters who will pay the same amount. This will make $700. Then there are several who can give $25 each, perhaps enough to make $150 more. Then we can find volunteers who will give $10 and $5 each, enough to make up the $1,000 without embarrassing any one, or diverting means from other channels.
If we really believe the Lord is coming, shall we not take hold in earnest of the work he has committed to us, instead of devoting all our thoughts to ourselves, and the groveling things of earth? If we once get our missionary fund free from embarrassment, and then keep up the one-third, with judicious management it will keep free.
Shall we not come up to our yearly gathering paying our vows as in the past, consecrating ourselves with new offerings to God? If we bring all our tithes into the store-house, the Lord has promised to open the windows of heaven and pour us out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it. So may it be.
As our General Conference is being aroused to the necessity of more earnest efforts in the Sabbath-school work, I would impress upon your minds the importance of seconding their efforts and suggestions. We must not let the youth and children within the reach of our influence drift down the tide of worldliness, but to do all in our power to interest and lead them to the Lord.
With devout gratitude to God for the gracious influences of his Spirit, which is leading us out to broader plans, more exalted views of the truths for the time, may we as never before devote ourselves to duty and labor in the harvest, wherever there is an opportunity to gather the golden sheaves, and in glory we shall share the sweet consolation of having done what we could.