California Camp-Meeting.
By Editor
THE time is drawing near for our annual camp-meeting. At our April meeting, Oakland was named as the most desirable place. The interest aroused by the tent-meeting now in progress, and by the missionary work in connection with it, is another argument in its favor. A very good ground has been offered us in a central location and easy of access by the street-car lines. So the meeting is appointed to be held in Oakland Sept. 18-30. This is as early as our brethren from the grain-growing districts can leave their work and is as late as is desirable in this climate. It is not necessary to urge our brethren of experience to attend this meeting. All who have enjoyed such privileges know the importance of these annual gatherings. But to those who have not attended our yearly meetings we will say, begin early to lay your plans to attend the meeting and let no ordinary difficulty hinder you. The signs of the times, and the progress of our work show that time is short. How important that we keep our hearts alive to the work! We are a busy people; the cares of this life and the temptations of the enemy press heavily upon us. Shall we not then thankfully embrace this best opportunity of the year, to lay aside these cares and devote a little season undisturbed to the worship of God? Many things will arise to detain us from attending such meetings. Satan will do all in his power to so shape circumstances that those who need the meeting most will be kept away. Our brethren should not be satisfied to attend the meeting alone, but let as many members of the family as possible have the benefit of the meeting. Bring neighbors and friends, and come with a heart prepared to work for the good of others. Circumstances are very favorable to an interesting and profitable meeting. The number of laborers present will be sufficient, with the blessing of God, to carry forward the many branches of work which present themselves at our large camp-meetings. There will be an opportunity for those who wish to receive instruction in the Sabbath-school work and the duties of church officers. The canvassing and colporter work will also receive their share of attention. Preparation is being made to hold a children’s meeting nearly every day, that the little ones may be benefited by the meeting. The friends of the cause will rejoice to know that Elder Loughborough will be with us, and that Elder Waggoner will not go East till after this meeting. We have just learned that Elder Butler is to be at the Colorado meeting, which closes Sept. 16, and we shall hope that when he is so near, and the brethren on this coast so much desire his presence and labors, he will arrange to attend our meeting. Let the delegates to the Conference be appointed as early as possible, and do not forget to appoint persons to assist in the work of the meeting as was suggested at our April meeting. It was then unanimously voted to recommend that “as the Camp-meeting Committee are over-burdened with work, and as difficulty often arises in finding help to do necessary work, each church elect a number of brethren equal to the number of its delegates to the annual Conference, to go early to the meeting in order to prepare the ground, pitch the tents, and to assist the committee during the meeting and at its close.” Arrangements will be made as heretofore for chartered cars to run from St. Helena, Lemoore, and other places. All who wish to buy or rent tents should apply at an early date to Eld. M. C. Israel, care Pacific Press, Oakland.