p. 9 | The Missionary by W. M. Healey

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 6, 1887

The Missionary.

By W. M. Healey

SISKIYOU AND SHASTA COUNTIES.

ETNA MILLS AND ORO FINO.—I spent about six weeks in the above counties; held meetings at Etna Mills, Callahan, and Oro Fino. In these places meetings were held nearly two years ago, and quite a number signed the covenant. These companies were not visited by any of our ministers from that time till my visit to them since camp-meeting. The most of those who started have gone back. I fear but few of them were converted to God. There remain, however, some faithful souls, and to these I tried to present the truths of the message, and to awaken them to a fuller sense of the times, and of their duty. Two persons were baptized, and some were aroused to take fresh courage and to move forward.

CALLAHAN.—At Callahan they again commenced holding Sabbath meetings, although the number to attend is small. In these two counties there are about twenty Sabbath-keepers. I visited them all except those at Burgettville, who are about one hundred miles from any of the others. At Roberts, Shasta County, I took a severe cold, resulting in pneumonia, which has prostrated me for a time.

The people generally in these counties are not much interested in religious matters, but in almost every locality there may be found one or more seeking for the truth. I expect the number of commandment-keepers in this part of the State will be multiplied as soon as the proper labor has been bestowed in all parts of the field. There exists so much prejudice against religious teachers here, that those who profess and teach the truth ought to be very careful to let their light shine, by avoiding even the appearance of sin. For many are ready to seize a word, a look, or act, and if possible construe it for evil.

While many claim they cannot understand the Bible, and offer that as an excuse for not obeying its teachings, they can readily detect a failure on the part of professors to live out its requirements. Many who have a low standard for their own lives expect something higher and nobler from those who profess to follow Jesus, and when they do not see it they turn away more satisfied with their own condition.

While we pray for the “Lord of the harvest to send more laborers into the harvest,” let us also pray that he will help us to relate ourselves more closely to him, that our labors may be more efficient. W. M. HEALEY.

Healdsburg, Cal., Dec. 28.