California Camp Meeting by John Norton Loughborough

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

California Camp Meeting.

By John Norton Loughborough

OUR Camp meeting and Conference, of which we furnish our readers a business report, was one of the most important meetings ever held by the Seventh Day Adventists upon this coast.

The meeting differed some from the meeting of last year, still it has left its solemn impress upon those who attended that God's hand is indeed set to this work.

Last year our minds were stirred mightily on the subject of broader plans and more extensive efforts for the spread of the truth. But little business was done in that Conference; so most of the seven days was devoted to religious exercises. We are sharers of God's blessing most while talking and vowing to launch out more in the work of God.

Since that time the providence of God has opened the way for us to carry out our vows made in that meeting. The SIGNS OF THE TIMES has been established in our midst, which not only gives us an opportunity to contribute of our means, but also opens a field for more extensive personal missionary effort. The burden of the Conference this year seemed to be to learn ourselves, and to learn how to dedicate ourselves with our substance to the work of God. The preaching was close and practical, and the social meetings earnest and spirited. Many a testimony, was borne by those of our people who attended that they "saw themselves as never before," and resolved to be more devoted.

The business of which much was transacted, as will be seen by the reports in this paper, all moved off with harmony, and as usual in S. D. A. Conferences, cases were decided by unanimous vote. God moved our people mightily to contribute of their substance, and we think it speaks for itself of the heart in the people, in that they pledged over $21,000, to publishing, and the tent enterprise.

Now that the Camp meeting has closed, we look back upon it with pleasure. We hope our brethren and sisters who have returned to their homes will share much of the blessing of God as they labor, seeking first the kingdom of God, and plan to pay their vows.

We were glad indeed of the coming of brother Butler and to listen to his faithful delineations of Christian duty and the Christian life. Of the thirty-one discourses delivered during the Conference thirteen were given by Bro. Butler, and besides this his labors were almost incessant, ten by brother Canright, two by Bro. Cornell, and six by myself. The Lord helped to preach, and moved out the people to act. No less than fifty took a decided stand with us during the meeting, of these, 41 were baptized on the 11th instant.

We feel that the work of God is onward on this coast if we all humbly move forward in the line of duty.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.