A LETTER FROM CALIFORNIA.
By E. F. Terril
- (Translated from LES SIGNES DES TEMPS.)*
THE following letter is from a California subscriber to LES SIGNES DES TEMPS, who is not an Adventist:— DEAR SIRS: I see from your journal that you are doing the same evangelical work in Europe in which your brethren in America are engaged. Wherever your denomination has founded a mission, the same subjects are preached with a harmony that we do not meet among other Christians. You have in California a house of publication which is an ornament to Oakland, not only on account of the beauty of its architecture, but also because of the literary productions that go out from it. This building, Office of the Pacific Press, has two stories, and is constructed in the form of a Greek cross. Its proportions are graceful; it rests on a brick foundation sufficiently strong to support the immense weight of the material and the machinery necessary for an establishment of this kind. Simple ornaments in the Tuscan style give a modest relief to the upper part of the windows. At the center arises a square tower, which, with its Gothic roof, harmonizes with the other parts of the edifice. Another building has just been added to the first, and it is not less beautiful or elegant than its neighboring edifices. Having thus taken a glance at the exterior, let us pass to the interior. At the first glance, one is surprised to see with what interest the men and women perform their work. No one has the appearance of a hireling; all seem to apply themselves voluntarily and joyfully to their work. One is reminded of a beehive. Discipline, order, good-will, economy, and politeness are manifested by the workers. And, if you consider the machinery, the work they execute, the type foundry, the engines for stereotyping and electrotyping—finally, all the material necessary for an establishment of this kind—you will easily believe that no similar establishment can be found on the Pacific coast. We there meet strength combined with elegance, beauty, wisdom, and art. You have persons attached to your mission of whom it can be said, Their light shines before men. All who have the privilege of associating with these persons speak of their Christian influence. Their literature and their discourses draw their inspiration from the great truths of the Bible, which are the source of wisdom and of moral philosophy. The science of the Bible is intimately connected with Christian philosophy; and these ministers show in an able manner that the word of God is the science per excellence, and that it respects all true science, and is in harmony with it. While profane researches mislead in a multitude of negative propositions, and in a labyrinth from which it is difficult to escape, in placing the creation at an epoch anterior to that given in Genesis, many are listening with deep interest to a course of lectures which is being given on this subject by Mr. W. M. Healey, a young minister of merit, who is rather promising. All your ministers have in their discourses a common center—the prophecies—to which their teachings and writings converge. Among those persons who compose your body, your co-religionists grant the first rank to Mr. and Mrs. White, and in this they are right; for they are persons of noble character; they possess a deep sense of their duty; they represent the interests of the society by the most elevated thoughts; they express themselves with adaptation, with grace, and with clearness. Mrs. White is an orator of rare merit. Her gestures are graceful, her expression is spirited, and her voice, though clear and soft, is sufficiently strong to be heard by twenty thousand persons at one time. Thirty years’ practice has enabled her to so discipline her voice that she can speak with force and eloquence without suffering herself to be carried away with the pomp of great orators. We have recently heard a discourse on the subject of the Judgment, which has deeply impressed us. This subject was treated by a young minister of talent; and those who have heard him have been surprised that a young man should have so perfect a knowledge of a Bible subject which is so little understood. Many exclaimed: “These persons have the influence of the Holy Spirit; and are they not the very ones who are spoken of in Acts 2:18: ‘And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy’?”