THE WEEK OF PRAYER IN CALIFORNIA.
By Editor
THE following is condensed from the various churches as far as heard from. We are sorry that the report is not complete, but are gratified to see the increased interest over a year ago. We are encouraged to see that our brethren are becoming aroused to the dangers around us, and to the fulfilling of Revelation 13, which is now just before us. Counter petitions to the Blair Bills now before Congress have been circulated quite largely in the short time since the blanks were placed in the hands of the solicitors. There also seems to have been quite a general effort made to get nearer to the Lord. From this company Brother W. A. Blakely reports a good meeting, notwithstanding very rainy weather. The attendance was good, all taking part in the social meeting. The Christmas exercises were not held, on account of rain. The offerings amounted to $32. From Healdsburg Brother R. S. Owen writes that the meetings during the week of prayer were well attended and of good interest. The church is greatly revived and an excellent spirit prevails. The meetings were expected to continue a week longer. The amount of donations to foreign missions was $332.25 in cash besides considerable jewelry. Sister J. A. Owen reports that they have cause for gratitude for the blessings of the week of prayer. The friends of the truth are few here. Only five or six were members of the partially organized church at the beginning of the meetings, and bitter enmity to the truth exists throughout the community. Four new ones have signed the covenant, some of whom are cases of special interest. The donations were $13.25. Brother Brown writes from this place that the week of prayer and fast was a great blessing to them one and all, and before the week was out, old and young were anxious to give of their means to help carry on the Lord's work. The church has become few in number, and with two exceptions are all poor; hence, he says, their small amount. But they are glad that God will accept according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. The amount was $111.65. From this place Brother G. K. Owen writes that they met each day at six o'clock P. M., which gave time for instruction in Bible work, and in other branches where needed, as well as time for the regular readings, and prayer and social meetings. He was thankful to see a greater separation from the world and a drawing nearer to the Lord. Thirty-two dollars were given to foreign missions, and $13 were paid into the Los Angeles Mission. Many were kept away by reason of the rainy weather. There were five hundred and thirty names obtained to the petition against the Blair Bill. Brother Hutchinson reports excellent meetings at Stockton. Some of the company have moved away, and divisions had crept into the church. But the Spirit of the Lord came in, and all hearts were melted down by its presence, and all differences put away. The Sabbath meeting was one of great blessing, lasting five and one-half hours. The outside interest is good. Christmas offerings were $25. Brother Fulton writes that the meetings of this church were held at the Health Retreat, and were exceptionally good from the first. In the beginning of the meetings a spirit of confession came in, and more of the Spirit of God was manifested than he had seen there for a long time. They desire more of the same work. Their Christmas exercises, varied from the regular program, were of interest, the patients and boarders at the Retreat taking part. The amount given was $264.25. THE good meetings begun some weeks ago by Elder E. P. Daniels, who left December 13 for Woodland, continued throughout the week of prayer, and the evidences show that the work is not a superficial one. It has extended throughout the whole church, and has led to such a consecration of heart and life and all to God as has not been seen for many years among our people. And this, while more fully seen among the young, has not been confined to them. Our older brethren and sisters are praising God for victories gained. But the work among the youth, especially the employees in the office, has been a cause of much rejoicing. Many had held a nominal connection with the church, but knew nothing of real conversion to God; some had backslidden, and others had never made a profession; but nearly all are now rejoicing in the light of God's smile, justified by his grace. The fast-days were days of victory to many. The last Sabbath, December 22, a praise service was held, which was indeed a service of praise. In the forenoon a Bible-reading was given, which presented many of the reasons and injunctions for praise, and the precious privilege God has given us of being able to praise him at all times. In the afternoon some eighty testimonies, interspersed with singing, were given in fifty minutes, when it was found necessary to divide the meeting, in order to give all an opportunity to speak. From ten to sixteen were on their feet at the same time waiting to testify. The meeting then closed before some had spoken, who would have spoken had they had time, and yet the testimonies were not long or prosy. Victories over habits which had had the mastery for years were achieved, the power of sin was broken, through the strength of grace divine, and hearts were made glad through being renewed. The Christmas exercises were of interest. The donations were $1,000.28(Concluded on page 30.) Brother Briggs writes from Santa Ana that the week of prayer was carefully observed, and that the solemn and timely admonitions contained in the readings seem to have had a deep and beneficial effect. He also preached seven times to good audiences. The Christmas program was, with slight variations, carried out; and although more than half the crops of this part of the State have been destroyed by insects, the donations amounted to $39. Brother A. J. Morton and wife were with the little company (only three sisters) of Sabbath keepers at this place during the week of prayer. All the readings were given except the last, which was prevented by unforeseen circumstances. One public meeting was held, and the United States in the light of prophecy presented. Eighty names to the petition against the Blair Bill were obtained. The three sisters here maintain Sabbath meetings, and until quite recently missionary meetings. These they promised to resume, and also to take a club of SIGNS for missionary purposes. Their donations to foreign missions aggregated $12.75. Brother Daniels reports from Woodland that they had a very interesting meeting on Christmas, not only to the church, but to those not of our faith. The light-house was made much more effective in impressing the children's minds with the lesson designed to be taught, by lowering the lights in the room. Elder Loughborough gave a brief but interesting description of the different light-houses which he had seen in his thirty-two thousand miles of ocean travel. Few gifts were made between friends and relatives. It seemed to the brethren that every dollar in these times should be given, every nerve should be taxed, every energy should be devoted, for the one sole object of erecting light-houses along the highways of life, and set in them the lamp of eternal truth to light the benighted millions who are now in darkness. The donations were $160.65. Brother St. John writes that meetings were held each evening, and at 12 o'clock noon on each of the two fast-days. All were well attended, with the exception of two evening meetings, which were hindered by rain. The meetings consisted of readings, prayer, and testimony. Many of these meetings were characterized by much humiliation and confession. Some were much profited, and all who attended seemed to take courage, and there were earnest expressions of a determination to get just right in the sight of God, and to labor more unselfishly in the spread of the last message of mercy. The shortness of time was felt by all. The furnished program for December 24 was followed in the main. The sum of $113.52, together with considerable jewelry, was deposited in the light-house. Brother Cook, who was with the Selma church during the week of prayer, writes that the meetings were very profitable. Nearly all came throughout the week. The Lord appeared to especially bless the fast-day services. Freedom was felt in seeking God that the winds of strife might be held till the sealing work was completed. Many good confessions were made, followed by the peace of God. The meetings and preaching were timely and encouraging, as the church was hungering for the word, not having had preaching for nearly two years. Vigorous canvass was made for petitions against the Blair Bill. The holiday offerings amounted to $76, $13 of which was given by the children. They thought it would be better to give it to the cause of Jesus than to spend it for toys and sweetmeats. If all money used in this way by our children was put into the cause of Christ, it would amount to thousands of dollars. Shall we not educate our children to sacrifice? Brother Ings reports that the readings for the week of prayer, with extracts from the Testimonies, were helpful in leading this church to see the necessity of seeking God more earnestly. As opportunity was given, confessions were made and deep contrition was manifested by some, and it is believed that a thorough work was done for those who sought the Lord with true repentance. The occasion of making the offerings to the Lord was a very profitable one. Remarks were made relative to the work in Europe, texts of Scripture were repeated fitting for the occasion, and appropriate songs were sung by the children; and as the hymn, "Bringing in the Sheaves," was sung, offerings were made to the amount of $43.15. A canvass for petitions against the Blair Bill was made among the leading men of the town, and nearly all signed the petition. The canvass is still progressing favorably. Brother Thurston writes that it was thought at first that this church, owing to its scattered condition, could not meet during the week of prayer, but after considering the matter it was decided to meet both forenoon and afternoon of each day. The attendance was better than the brethren had dared to hope, in view of the many hindrances. What was better than all, those who attended came to seek God. Confessions were made, and a goodly number were enabled by faith to grasp and appropriate to themselves the promises of God, and rejoice in a knowledge of sins forgiven and acceptance with God. This enabled them to engage with heart in the praise service the following Sabbath. The inclemency of the weather prevented a large attendance at the Christmas exercises; but the donations amounted to $109.70, besides some jewelry. More will probably be added. The exercises were simple but instructive; and the happy faces of old and young indicated that all felt that it was more blessed to give than to receive.