To Our Patrons by Editor

California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists · Woodland, Cal. · Oct 22, 1874

To Our Patrons.

By Editor

THE starting of the SIGNS was the index of a new era in the cause of present truth on the Pacific coast. We have had no doubt but God moved Bro. White out to take hold of this work. As the paper commenced to circulate up and down this coast, we thought we could discern in our moral horizon evident tokens of a great and mighty work upon the Pacific Slope. When, just before our late camp meeting, the continuance of the SIGNS here seemed to hang in doubt, our hearts were filled with sadness, for we felt that it would be a lack of faith and consecration to God's cause alone on our part, that would lead to any such result.

Now, that the Conference, by vote of all the delegates of its fourteen Churches, has in open session, decided to go ahead with the paper, and has through its body as individuals given such liberal pledges of means for the support of this enterprise, we feel that we have reason for gratitude to God. We know that in taking hold of this work we may expect perplexities, labor and care, but we expect also to have our hearts cheered in seeing success follow this labor in the publishing work.

Our Conference has, for the present, placed the management of this paper in the hands of its committee. Had we been left to our own choice, we should have said, let Bro. White retain the management of the SIGNS. But it is evident to all that the providence of God has called Bro. White to greater responsibilities and cares, in connection with our great institutions, at the head of the work. We are confident of this, however, that "as a mother cannot forget her child," so Bro. White will not forget the SIGNS, over which he has thought, planned and prayed, both in the mountains of Colorado and California. He has not bid us good-bye for ever in taking other and greater responsibilities, but he leaves the assurance, that he will help us with his counsel, influence and pen.

We feel our incompetency for the task before us, and it is only with such friendly assurances of counsel and aid from those (Bro. White and the General Conference Com.) who have had experience in meeting the difficulties connected with establishing a new paper, that we consent to take these responsibilities. We shall expect the aid of our brethren and sisters in this enterprise, both in their influence, prayers and means.

When the Conference voted to take the SIGNS they did not furnish the Committee an editor for this paper. New hands at the business and rather hastily at that, we have tried to arrange the matter for this number. It is not in its arrangement what we wish it to be, but what it may lack in editorial skill we hope may be balanced by the excellence of its words in many of its articles.

With this number of the paper we close its publication at Oakland. It is decided by our committee for the present to issue the paper at Woodland, Yolo county, Cal., at least until such time as the matter of location can be acted upon by the vote of our State Conference. There will necessarily be a little delay in moving and establishing our office at Woodland. We hope, however, to be able soon to issue a paper each week.

We hope our friends will furnish us with many brief, carefully written articles, as well as experiences and testimonies for a Conference department. Write as you would talk in bearing a brief, earnest testimony in a social meeting. Some such testimonies would undoubtedly find a place in the SIGNS. Let us all be workers together in this enterprise, and we may expect God's blessing to crown our efforts.

CAL. CONF. COM.

THERE are some people who can never see the difference between earnestness and bluster. The latter raises more dust and makes more noise. We are not sure that it does not get more praise. The former is more quiet, but it holds on. Its visions takes a longer and wider sweep. It is thoughtful in the adaptation of means to ends. Be earnest, but don't bluster. It is to earnestness that the world's progress is mainly due.