p. 154 | The Missionary by John Norton Loughborough

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 10, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 10.

The Missionary.

By John Norton Loughborough

FRESNO, TULARE, AND LOS ANGELES COUNTIES.

FRIDAY, January 28, I joined Brother Daniels in the meeting at Fresno City, where he had been laboring for a week. Here I found a revival going on in the church, and a good outside interest. I remained, taking part in the meetings, until February 9, when, leaving Brother Daniels to carry on the interest, I went to Los Angeles. I held one meeting in the evening at the church. I was happy to find that, after about ten days' search, Brother McClure had succeeded in obtaining mission rooms at 131 Wall Street, a short distance from our church building. There had been such a great emigration from the East that Los Angeles was literally packed with people, and every available house rented. Every room in the hotels was taken, and in some of the larger hotels as high as ninety cots were employed to accommodate the lodgers. The Lord's providence seemed to especially favor us in trying to obtain a house for our mission just where we wanted it. Parties who had previously rented it gave it up, which gave us a favorable opportunity to secure it. There is abundance of material in Los Angeles for our missionaries to work upon, and we hope for good results as our sisters enter upon their mission work.

The following Sabbath and first-day, February 12 and 13, I was with our brethren at Santa Ana, and organized a church of twenty-four members. There are some ten more that will unite with them soon. Some of these were detained from the meetings on account of ill health and a violent rain-storm. I found those who had embraced the truth at the camp-meeting still steadfast, and others are becoming interested. On Tuesday, the 15th, I had expected to meet with the church at Norwalk, but violent storms caused a wash-out on the railroad and I missed the train and so missed the meeting. On the 16th the road was repaired and I went on to Los Angeles and had two very interesting meetings there during the day. On the night of the 18th I came to Lemoore, Tulare County, where I held meetings three days with the Lemoore church, and they seemed very much encouraged by the visit.

On Tuesday, the 22d, I came to Selma, Fresno County, a town of over a thousand inhabitants. This place has been built up within a few months. Here are about a score of Sabbath-keepers, some of whom have recently moved in from Nebraska; these, together with their children, constitute a Sabbath-school of about forty members. They have rented a church building in which they meet. I spent three days quite pleasantly visiting at the houses of this company, holding while there three meetings. In these meetings preliminary steps were taken for the organization of a church.

On the 25th I returned to Fresno, where I found Brother Daniels still holding meetings. I have now spent three days with him. We expected to close these meetings to-day but have decided that the interest demands that we continue longer. The attendance is increasing, and souls are deciding for the truth. Twenty-five were baptized this afternoon. A number of these have taken their stand since these meetings commenced, while others are keeping the Sabbath who have not yet been baptized. Having now consulted with the brethren and sisters in Fresno and Tulare Counties, and having learned their desires, it is decided to have a camp-meeting at the new town of Selma, commencing Wednesday evening, April 6, and continuing until Wednesday morning, April 13. I am happy to report a spirit of good cheer among our people all along the line.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH. Fresno, Cal., Feb. 27, 1887.