p. 459 | North Pacific Conference

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 31, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 29.

North Pacific Conference.

By John Norton Loughborough; C. L. Boyd

SINCE our excellent camp-meeting we have held meetings at Salem and Scio, Oregon. In each of these places we have made it a point to visit all the Sabbath-keepers, thus laboring "from house to house" as well as holding meetings in public. At Salem we sought to learn the exact standing of every member, that we might the more understandingly labor for them, and also that we might fill out the blank of standing which has lately been introduced in other Conferences. This will enable those who may follow us in the work to see at a glance the situation of the church and the condition of each member, and thus they may take hold to labor where their predecessors left off.

Though there had been some confusion occasioned, for a time, by one going out from us, we were glad to find that his boast that he should take many of the church with him, had thus far proved a failure, so far as the resident enrolled members in Salem are concerned. We are much encouraged with the prospect in Salem. If the members of the church are faithful to their vows, and active in the work, we expect yet to see a strong company here, where so many trials and conflicts have been passed through.

At Scio there is still some confusion resulting from the same cause mentioned at Salem. We were glad to meet the brethren at their houses and in meetings, and to have the privilege of correcting some wrong impressions they had received. We were sorry to learn that as the result of the opposition to the leaders in the cause, some persons were letting go of the Sabbath. This is not a new thing, however. Shake man's faith in those who are giving the message and the result is, with many minds, they lose faith in the message itself. It was decided to revive their Sabbath-school and Sabbath meetings, which have been omitted for some time. May the Lord bless the work at Scio.

The cloud of discouragement that has hung over the cause in this Conference seems to be lifting. The prospects are daily brightening. We hope, with God's blessing, to see the work advancing more rapidly then ever before. There is before us, in this Conference, a grand opportunity for doing good. May wisdom be granted to rightly occupy the field.

J. N. Loughborough, C. L. Boyd.