Our Visit to California.
By Stephen N. Haskell
WE have now spent five Sabbaths on the Pacific Coast. Two Sabbaths we were at the Woodland camp-meeting, and the three following we were at St. Helena, Healdsburg, and Oakland, respectively, taking the train on Sunday, November 7, for Battle Creek, Mich., to attend the General Conference. We trust that the time spent in California has not been without some profit; it certainly has been pleasant. We were glad to meet with our brethren in the different places, and especially pleased at their willingness to take advance steps in the work of God. The influence of the Woodland camp-meeting has been felt more or less by our friends throughout the State. It has been found that the holding of the six camp-meetings in this Conference during the year, has in no way been detrimental to the interests of the cause, but has resulted in many souls being converted, and in uniting the hearts of the brethren in the great work in which we are engaged. It was no wonder that the camp-meetings were successful when the facts were learned that some churches had their stated seasons of prayer each day for a week or more beforehand, that God would bless the meeting and prepare their hearts to receive the blessing. There is no question but that we have reached the most important time that this world has ever witnessed, and it will grow more and more important as we near the close of probation. There can be no more serious thought for us to consider than that the ending of probation will come as a thief. As our cases come up in grand review before the court of Heaven, no one will know when that solemn decision will be made, and it becomes us to live each day as we would did we know that at that very time our cases were being decided at the bar of God. This is what the Saviour means by the expression, “Be ye also ready.” The advance steps which our people took at the Woodland camp-meeting will be contested by Satan, and it would be a great mistake on their part, were they to fold their hands and say, “We have now made a consecration to God, and will wait until he shall have opened the way before us, before going further.” It is certain that they can go no faster than God would lead them, but it is also certain that while we may make a consecration to God and he accepts that consecration, it is our duty to keep it continually before God. When Abraham made a sin offering to God, before God consumed it the fowls came down upon the carcass, but Abraham continued to drive them away until the sun went down and God appeared and accepted the offering. When Daniel asked God for an explanation of the vision, he fasted and prayed with great earnestness for three full weeks. Then the angel Gabriel appeared to him and said, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.” He then adds another expression, which is worthy of some thought: “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days; but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.” From this it would seem that an angel came immediately to answer the prayer of Daniel, but he was resisted by the king of Persia so that he could not do what he would. But as Daniel continued to pray and seek God, it brought Michael, who was none other than Christ, down to this earth to assist Gabriel in answering the prayer of Daniel. So when we have made a consecration to God, we should not rest satisfied, and fold our hands, and say we have nothing further to do, but continue to plead with God to accept the sacrifices we have made, and not rest until the way is opened that we may accomplish the desire of our hearts. It is in this way that many will be tested, and it will be seen how much earnestness they will show in carrying out the vows which they have made to God. We believe our brethren have meant business in every step which they have taken, and a continued consecration will consist in their taking hold upon the arm of God, and, like the importunate widow, not resting until they can carry out the purposes which their hearts so freely formed when under the influence of the Spirit of God. We are glad we have had the privilege of visiting the brethren on the coast, and are thankful to God for the tokens of his love that we have seen since we have been here. We trust that the same spirit will continue with our friends, and that from this Conference, light may shine to all parts of the world. Our prayer will ever be that God will bless in the work here.