THE CAUSE IN CALIFORNIA AND OREGON.
By S. N. Haskell
When we came upon this coast one year ago, this Conference was to some extent in a discouraged condition. Eld. Loughborough, who had been connected with the work here from its very commencement, and was father to it, had left for a distant field of labor. The ministers who had commenced to labor here were young and inexperienced, and did not feel like taking the responsibilities which would necessarily devolve upon the one who should take the lead in the work. The publishing interest in California is a very important branch of the work. It has required much means to bring it to its present condition. To the repeated calls for means to sustain this work, the brethren here have responded liberally. The friends east of the mountains have also shown an impartial interest in the cause on this coast by raising $13.000 to assist in establishing the publishing work, and the same interest is still manifested by our tract societies in using the SIGNS for their missionary work. There are some reasons why a pioneer sheet published east of the mountains would better accommodate the missionary workers. It has often taken from three to five weeks for the paper to reach a person after he has subscribed. This has, to say the least, often proved a source of annoyance. But while there may be a few disadvantages, yet every Conference, Institution or enterprise whose object is to advance the truth is a part of one great whole, and he is a subject of pity who cannot look to the general interest of the cause rather than to his own personal convenience and local interest. Bro. and Sister White have crossed the mountains seven times to assist the work here. These visits have been appreciated by our brethren in California to a greater or less degree. But at no time in the history of the past has Sister White’s testimony been more appreciated then at the present. In reference to the present prospect of help coming from the east there is but one voice from our friends on this coast. The Conference Committee of California sent a special request to the General Conference (although it was not received till after the session closed) pledging themselves in behalf of their brethren to meet the traveling expenses of such help as the General Conference might recommend to come to this coast, and to give them a liberal support while laboring in this field. This has been backed up in a practical manner by liberal pledges towards a tent (which is now being made) to be used by them as they might need. There are urgent calls from the churches on this coast and in entirely new fields, for laborers. An addition of a dozen ministers could find openings all ready for them. The financial condition of our brethren on this coast is not as good as it has been sometimes in the past. In some vicinities the wheat crop has been cut off for three years in succession and some of our brethren who had hundreds of acres of wheat, have failed to meet the running expenses of their farms. Some who could and did give hundreds of dollars without embarrassment a few years since, on account of adverse circumstances have had to heavily mortgage their farms, and unless they have a good crop this year they will be obliged to leave their homes and begin anew. But no complaint is made, and when there are indications of moves which will advance the work on this coast there is a general interest to lift to the extent of their ability. Whoever comes to this coast to labor will find warm hearts and liberal souls. There are both the means and the will to support the ministers who labor in this field. And what is true of California is also true of Oregon. While I was there last spring the matter of help to that Conference was presented, and one brother said if it was necessary he would support a laborer one year himself. In response to letters received, Eld. Van Horn, the President of that Conference, has written in behalf of his brethren that they will pay the expenses of any laborer or laborers who will come to that field to remain with them, and will liberally support them while there. Therefore in behalf of the California and Oregon Conferences, we cordially invite such laborers to come as the President of the General Conference may approve, and pledge them a liberal support.