California Camp-Meeting.
By J. H. Waggoner
THE California Camp-meeting is in the past, and we trust that it has not been without some good results to the cause. The location was chosen not only because it was central and would well accommodate all the churches, but because it was near to San Francisco, the central point of labor in this State. To find shade and water at any point accessible by rail road is difficult in California, and the free offer of a ground fitted for "picnics" so near the City, with good water and reasonably good shade, seemed providential. This much in its favor. But its situation in Marin Co., north of the "Golden Gate" west of the Bay, makes it almost isolated; and as it is only reached from the City by steamboat and rail road, and the times of sailing were not frequent, the meeting was not so largely attended as was expected. We were informed that the attendance was not as large as it was last year in Napa Valley. Yet there was a number from the City sufficiently large to thoroughly spread abroad a knowledge of our work, and we hope it may be the means of adding to the success of the tent-meeting which it is contemplated soon to hold in San Francisco. The attendance of our people was good. Besides the preaching tent, 60 by 96 feet, there were 88 tents, and about 400 people camped on the ground. We were much disappointed that Bro. and sister White were detained by the deeply interesting work going on in the East, so that they could not arrive on the ground before Sabbath morning. But all took hold with courage to carry on the meeting till their arrival and the interest seemed to rise from the beginning. The speakers enjoyed considerable freedom, and the social meetings were generally good. Bro. and sister White arrived on the ground about 11:20 A. M. on Sabbath. Bro. White immediately took the stand and gave a timely discourse on 1 Thess. 5. The argument showed that there was a time pointed out in the prophecies when we are to look for the coming of the Saviour, and to know that his coming is near; that it would have been wrong and unscriptural to look for him before that time; and that a special work will be done for the people of God during that time to prepare them for the coming of that day, and that special responsibilities rest upon us in view of this work. It was instruction suited to the hour. Sabbath afternoon sister White spoke on the subject of the barren fig tree. Though clear and forcible in her statements of the truth, she was laboring under a severe cold taken on her journey, and it was with great difficulty that she could occupy her time on account of hoarseness. But the word took effect, and when an invitation was given to come forward for prayers, many willingly moved out. Having been present on many such occasions we are free to say that we never saw a time when there was a more general deep feeling in the congregation. Not only those who came forward, but the whole people seemed moved, and the Lord came near in our prayers. On First-day, the preaching was designed to meet the wants of those who do not understand our faith as well as of the church. But a large number of believers seemed to think that the labor was altogether for the former class, and thus lost sight of their own need. This caused a declension of feeling from which we fear they did not recover during the meeting. Monday was a profitable day. All the meetings were spirited and the speakers enjoyed freedom. Tuesday morning at half past eight we repaired to a stream fed by mountain springs where Bro. Loughborough baptized 17. The speaking was generally in the freedom of the Spirit during the day. On Wednesday also there was great power in the word spoken. In the afternoon, instead of the usual sermon, another baptismal season was enjoyed. Brn. White and Loughborough both officiated. It was a season ever to be remembered by all present. The pool of water was about eight feet wide, the trees overhead interlocking their branches in a beautiful arch affording a welcome shade from the rays of the clear shining sun. The sloping banks were literally packed with interested spectators, and more than all, the Spirit of God was present to bless. Twelve more were baptized making 29 in all. A number of these there made their first start in the Christian life, and several others had but recently embraced the faith. One case we cannot forbear mentioning. A daughter of Elder Z. Campbell, the Elder being extensively known as a preacher and more especially as a writer among the no-law Adventists, and her husband, came to the meeting with some personal friends through whose kindly influence they had become somewhat interested. Hearing the clear evidence of our faith they both embraced it fully, and she was baptized, rejoicing in the light of God's moral law. Her intelligent testimony coming from a full heart thrilled the hearts of the whole assembly with joy. Many other interesting incidents we omit for want of time to mention. We would be pleased if we had nothing to record of a more unpleasant nature than this. Some things incidentally brought out in the closing business session of the Conference developed the fact that the same spirit of jealousy and fault-finding which has followed the servants of God in other fields existed here. They had passed by four other important camp-meetings which they were urged to attend, and had resisted the solicitation of leading Seventh-day Baptists to attend their General Convention, to meet with the friends in California. They had labored in Battle Creek in a glorious work till the last moment, and packed up and started on their long journey in the night; they had come upon the ground wearied with their constant labor and journeyings, and the thought that any professed friends of the cause would entertain jealous feelings and a fault-finding spirit almost overwhelmed Bro. White. He had established the office of publication here by his own personal efforts, and through his influence, and by his aid, a meeting-house is in process of erection in San Francisco. By means of his efforts, also, the friends in the East have stocked the publishing house with the best printing machinery on the Pacific Coast; and it has been his constant study and aim to make the SIGNS OF THE TIMES a self-sustaining concern, to do which will require rigid economy, and skillful financing. He had certainly done enough to earn the confidence of all who love the cause and who earnestly desire its success, and no one could wonder that he was greatly astonished and grieved to find any number of supposed friends who would overlook all his labor and service to the cause and pick up trifles of which to complain. For the time it seemed as if the meetings would close under a cloud. While the above will describe the course and feelings of some, we do not by any means believe the number is very large. The cause of present truth has true-hearted friends on the Pacific Coast. And the Lord is with them to give success to his own cause. This work is of God and not of man, and it must triumph gloriously. The closing meeting was advertised for 5:30 Thursday morning. But as a large number had to remain on the ground till near the middle of the day, another meeting was called for 8 o'clock. This was one of the best social meetings, if not the very best, enjoyed on the ground. The testimonies were all brief and pointed, and they manifested a love for and confidence in the truth which was truly cheering. Every lover of the third angel's message who attended this meeting left the ground comforted and strengthened. We hope that more experience in this work will remedy one fault which extensively prevailed. It was the neglect of children by the parents. Many did not seem to realize that the children might be benefited by the meeting, and seemed inclined to let their children play away from the meetings while themselves went up to worship. By the direct efforts of Bro. and sister White a great change was effected; and we hope the remembrance of nearly two score of children who came forward for prayers, some of whom were baptized, may incite the parents to labor for their children, even at their homes. This is the closing message of salvation, and its work is to "turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers." Children love this truth wherever proper attention is paid to them, and the parents must feel a responsibility to lead them to the Saviour. As the church in San Francisco have resigned their Hall in anticipation of the tent being pitched there after the camp-meeting, a large body of that church came over to Oakland, Sabbath morning, Oct. 2, and, with the Oakland church, crowded the Hall full. After speaking to them we gave room for a social conference season, and the testimonies were all in one direction, namely, that they had all received a blessing in the camp-meeting, and were thankful that it was their privilege to attend it. This was to us the very best evidence that the camp-meeting was a success, and will tell to the final good of the cause of truth. Personally we must confess to the gratification it afforded us to form a large acquaintance with the friends in this State. We met a few old friends, dear to us in "the States," and many new ones, equally dear for the truth's sake. God bless the cause and its friends in California.