Meetings in Humboldt County, Cal by John Norton Loughborough

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 1, 1885

Meetings in Humboldt County, Cal.

By John Norton Loughborough

THE general meeting for Humboldt County was held according to appointment, Dec. 5-14, with the church at Ferndale. Brethren and sisters came in from Eureka, Arcata, and Petrolia, so that we had quite a full representation of the Sabbath-keepers in the county. After the first evening our meetings continued day and evening for the whole ten days. During the time there were seventeen discourses given, and six Bible-readings held. Besides this, there were six social meetings and three missionary meetings. In the latter much instruction was given with reference to the best mode of doing missionary work.

On the last Sunday of our meeting fourteen persons were baptized in Salt River by Elder McClure. Besides these, four others were received into the church by vote, having been previously baptized.

During this general meeting there were weekly pledges made for the local missionary work of the county. These pledges amount to $245.70 per year. There was also raised for the Healdsburg College $320, and for city missions, $117.85. It was voted by the society to put up five distributors in Eureka. A club

of twenty-five Signs, five Good Health, five Advent Tidendes, and five Stimme der Wahrheit were subscribed for to be placed in these distributors. Our people in Humboldt County are not rich, but they seem to be willing to do according to their ability to advance the cause of present truth.

When we consider that two years ago there were not more than six Sabbath-keepers in the county, and that now there are seventy-five, it speaks well for the efforts made, in preaching, and otherwise, during the last eighteen months, to introduce present truth into the county. Brother McClure is now in the midst of a series of meetings in a new place with a fair prospect of several more additions to the ranks.

The church at Ferndale has a neat, substantial house of worship 30x50 ft. In this our general meeting was held. All our people expressed themselves as much encouraged, instructed, and strengthened by this series of meetings. There was a good attendance from the outside. On the last evening of the meeting every seat was filled, both in the gallery and below. Extra seats were brought in, and many stood up during the entire service, for lack of seats.

The brethren are quite anxious that a camp-meeting be held in Humboldt County about the last of July or first of August of next year. They think such a meeting, well advertised, and managed on the Seventh-day Adventist plan, will be very largely attended.

With this meeting ends our present association together in general meetings. We thank God for his blessings enjoyed, and for victories gained at every meeting. At some points Satan has sought to hinder the work, but, earnestly seeking God, we have found him a present help in every emergency. We now go to Oakland, and from there to take hold of the work in different fields, where the providence of God may indicate. But we look back with thankfulness to God for his blessings vouchsafed to us during these two months of general meetings. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH. M. C. ISRAEL.