One Year Ago and Now by W. C. White

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, Cal. · Jul 15, 1875

One Year Ago and Now.

By W. C. White

If the prospects of our cause on this coast were encouraging one year ago, they are ten times as cheering now. One year ago the third number of the SIGNS had just been printed. The paper was started amid many difficulties, and was sent out with the earnest prayers of its friends, for the obstacles in the way of making such a paper a success upon this coast, looked almost insurmountable. But it was sent out in faith, and now its weekly edition of four thousand copies, finds its way not only to all parts of the Pacific States and Territories, but to the eastern and southern states, to England, Spain, Switzerland, and Australia, bringing in scores of responses from those who from its pages have gained light on Bible truths, and are now rejoicing in a new hope.

One year ago, the tent-meeting in Oakland had drawn nearly to a close, and (July 14) twenty-three were baptized in Lake Merritt. To-day this church numbers fifty members. Last Sabbath, the Sabbath-school numbered eighty-five, scholars and teachers. Besides this a Bible Class of from twenty to thirty meet in the afternoon, to study the “Nature and Destiny of Man.” In our last Sabbath meeting many were led to review the mercies of the year. With some it was the anniversary of their first Sabbath kept. Said one brother of the tent meetings: “It was the last call to the supper which forced and compelled men to come in. The truth was made so plain and clear, and was so forced upon our minds that although we did not wish to obey it, we could not resist its power.”

One year ago Bro. and sister Van Horn had just begun the good work in Washington Territory. Now there is a commodious meeting-house built in Walla Walla, and the interest is spreading all through the Walla Walla Valley. Let the good work go on. Sister Canright says that Bro. C. reports twenty-five keeping the Sabbath in Gilroy, and these are talking of building a meeting-house. The tent may go to Hollister next.

W. C. WHITE.