MISSIONARY WORK IN OAKLAND by W. J. BOSTWICK, Director, Dist. No. 7.

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Jan 8, 1880

MISSIONARY WORK IN OAKLAND.

By W. J. BOSTWICK, Director, Dist. No. 7.

ALL who are interested in the Tract and Missionary work on this coast and elsewhere, will be pleased to learn of the effort now being put forth in Oakland to bring present truth before the people of this city. Believing that the time has arrived when we should make a special effort in this direction, our people have shaken off the robes of slumber which have so long enwrapped them, have awakened to the dangers and necessities of the hour, and are now moving out burdened with the consciousness of the great work which they are called to do; and it is but just to say that the zeal and activity manifested by these workers in the Lord's harvest field is highly commendable, and upon which, we believe, rests the approving smile of the Lord.

The field of labor is large and ever increasing. Here we have a city, with its suburbs, including Alameda, of over fifty thousand inhabitants, while just across the bay is the great city of San Francisco, with its three hundred thousand inhabitants; and the great mass of these people are yet blinded by the errors of the "man of sin." But the light of God's truth must be presented to these people. All must have an opportunity to accept or reject it; and who is going to do this great work? Even that people whom the Lord has placed in their midst to be light-bearers to the world. And this is the work which the Oakland T. and M. Society have entered upon, and in which we hope to be soon reinforced by our brethren across the bay. But in order that our friends may have an idea of the work we are doing, we extract a few items of interest from the report of the quarter just closed. Here it is:—

No. pp. tracts and pamphlets loaned......56,829. " " " " given away......65,578. Total.......................................122,407. " periodicals distributed..................5,356. " Annuals " ..................................651.

In comparison with this report we wish to state that the whole amount of work done in the entire district during the quarter ending Oct. 1, was only about one fourth this amount, which shows a great increase over last quarter. Next quarter, the Lord blessing, we expect to see this work doubled.

The good results accruing from this effort in the missionary work are at present beyond computation. Already many interested readers are upon our list, and a spirit of inquiry is being aroused upon all sides. People are beginning to inquire, Are these things so? and the honest hearted will no doubt receive the light and take their stand upon present truth. Many items of interest could be given, had we space, showing the effect the truth has upon the minds of the reader. I will cite two: One lady who had received the "Three Angel's Messages," became so much interested that she set up until two o'clock in the morning to read it. Another, an old gentleman, who had read "Vindication of the Sabbath," remained at home from his business almost the whole afternoon waiting for the missionary to come, upon the day appointed, that he might get another book. And so it goes. The seed is being sown diligently, perseveringly, and unitedly, and we firmly believe that the Lord will water it with his Spirit, and that it will bring forth a bountiful harvest of souls to his glory.

W. J. BOSTWICK, Director, Dist. No. 7.