The Missionary by John Norton Loughborough

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 21, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 40.

The Missionary.

By John Norton Loughborough

CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE ADDRESS, 1889.

(Concluded.)

THE cause of health and temperance has received some attention in this Conference during the last year, but not on the old plan of organizing clubs and conducting monthly meetings. We have obtained some signatures to the teetotal petitions, but more has been done for the cause in the line of conducting hygienic cooking classes at the College, in the city mission in Oakland, and in connection with our local camp-meetings. We obtained 112 full-pledge signatures at the San Diego meeting. Some of these it is true had previously signed temperance pledges, but with many it was their first signing of the pledge including abstinence from tea and coffee.

There is need for more attention being given to the subject of health reform, both among our people and in our labors for the public, especially if we admit what has been said, that "the cause of health reform holds the same relation to the Third Angel's Message that the arm does to the body."

I am glad to learn by letter from Dr. J. H. Kellogg that he and our leading brethren are contemplating a vigorous campaign in the cause of health and temperance, in connection with our missionary work. I hold in my hand a letter from the Doctor, in which he sets forth the principles upon which it is proposed to conduct this campaign. I will not now read the letter, as it will properly come before a meeting of the State Health and Temperance Society. I think it proper, however, that the Conference, in the appointment of the regular committees, appoint one to take into consideration the subject introduced by Doctor Kellogg's letter, so that it may come in proper form before the Conference and Health and Temperance Society. It is a matter in which both of these organizations are concerned.

I am happy to report that there appears to be in the State a growing interest in favor of hygienic living, and in the rational system of treating disease. This is apparent in the increased application for treatment for disease by hygienic methods. At the Rural Health Retreat, during the four months from June 1 to September 1, there has been the largest patronage that the institution has enjoyed at any time since it was first opened. And of this we may say that the last-named month, August, was the best month the institution ever had. Its patronage this season has been from a class whose recommendation to their friends will tell greatly in its favor.

We express gratitude for the assistance rendered to the institution during the past year from our people in the way of taking stock, and donating to the charity fund, the latter enabling the institution to render assistance to a number of worthy poor invalids. The charity work of the institution has been this season far in advance of this assistance, and it has become a question with the board of directors and superintendent how far they can go in charity work.

We have long felt the need of a chapel on the hill-side in connection with the Retreat, and have spoken to you concerning this through the Signs of the Times and the Pacific Health Journal. Already two persons have come forward and let us have $2,250, without interest, for one year, to aid in erecting the chapel. The rooms are about ready for the first coat of plaster. Some $1,500 has been pledged by a few individuals, in sums ranging from $250 down to $10 dollars each, to pay for the building. Of course when this amount is paid in donations and stock we shall be able to pay the borrowed money. It is not necessary to make any very great ado over this matter, as I have no doubt that our brethren who have means will stand ready to make up what is necessary for the erection of the chapel, and it is in full confidence of this that we have gone forward to erect the building. Our brethren and sisters will, without doubt, lift this debt, and thus add to the facilities of the Retreat.

Lastly, but not by any means least, but rather a matter of the highest importance, is one I wish to introduce to you: It was recommended by resolution 16 of the last General Conference that each State Conference select from their ministers those best suited for the work; to prepare themselves, and be encouraged to go from town to town, and city to city, exposing the principles of the National Reform Association. Still later on, at a meeting of the General Conference Committee, held in Battle Creek from July 4 to 21, there was an appointment made of one person in each Conference to give his entire time to this work; and as our Conference will comprise so much territory, especially if we work up the territory of Arizona and Utah, as the General Conference Committee request us to do, the committee have selected three men of our number to engage in this work.

Still later I have received from the corresponding secretary of the General Conference an invitation for us to take hold of the work of the National Religious Liberty Association, and with this society do all in our power to forward that work. I have in my hand the last number of the Home Missionary, which sets forth the principles and plans of that association. I will not take time now to read what they say concerning that association in this document, but will suggest the propriety of a committee being appointed immediately, who shall take this matter in hand and bring before the Conference such recommendations and plans for forwarding the work as they shall deem proper. The purposes of the association are for the furtherance of the principles of religious liberty to all. Its work relates to the Sabbath and Sunday question, which is rapidly becoming one of the livest issues of the day. We should not for a moment think that because a few persons have been selected to give their entire time and attention to this matter we are released. None of us should for a moment think of relaxing our efforts in gaining signatures to the remonstrance petitions, circulating the Sentinel and anti-Sunday legislation literature. It is the vital point of the Third Angel's Message at this time, and its agitation is the golden opportunity to get the light before the people, and may the Lord give us each wisdom that we may now be found at the post of duty.

While we are anxious for the extension of the truth in new and unoccupied fields, we are also exceedingly anxious for the prosperity of the work in our churches. We are quite aware that the prosperity of the work in the church depends largely upon the efficiency and faithfulness of our church officers. It is important that our church officers be as efficient as possible. To this end we shall, early in this Conference, call our church officers together for instructions in the different branches of church and clerical work.

And now, brethren and sisters, I commend you to God and the word of his grace, which is able to keep your hearts in Christ Jesus unto eternal life. May the Lord give that wisdom needful to guide in all our deliberations for the advancement of his cause while we are together, and may he guide us also as we shall go forth to scatter seeds of truth, and may we at last come to his garner, bringing our sheaves with us. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.