p. 140 | General Meeting by Editor

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, Cal. · May 1, 1879

General Meeting.

By Editor

WE have received a telegram from Elder S. N. Haskell, in which he says he expects to arrive in Oakland the 6th of May, and requests us to appoint a general meeting for May 10.

We have looked forward to this occasion with much anxiety. Seventh-day Adventists are an order-loving people. Obedience to the law—which is the only means of preserving order—is the burden of our message,—the very reason of our existence as a separate people. For months past our people in California have been unfortunately situated. Their Conference has had no President, and there has been no leading mind to take hold of the work to guide it to prosperity. Labor has not ceased; the Lord has not failed to bless; souls have embraced the truth wherever it has been proclaimed. But many things have necessarily been neglected which were essential to the full prosperity of the cause.

In like manner Tract and Missionary work has suffered. The Sabbath-school Association has not flourished. And some have grown somewhat discouraged over this state of things.

The labor of Bro. Haskell has been signally blessed in other States. His special work has been in connection with the Tract and Missionary Society; but this so directly opens the way for other work, that it is very intimately connected with every other branch. Therefore we look for every interest in this cause to be materially benefited by the coming of Bro. Haskell.

Now a few words to our brethren and sisters in behalf of the coming meeting. At this time there ought to be such a representation of the churches that it will be equivalent to a # SPECIAL SESSION OF CONFERENCE. There is not time to formally call such a session, but there is urgent need of consultation with a view to united efforts to move forward the work during the coming season. Therefore we say, let every church be represented in this meeting. Also every

T. AND M. DISTRICT

should be represented. Our late State Quarterly meeting was attended by but few; but little business was done. Now we need a good quarterly meeting, or that which shall serve the purpose of a quarterly meeting. Every Director should attend, if possible; likewise every District Secretary. All who come will be glad for the opportunity. This work must be revived. Now is the time to begin anew. And the

SABBATH-SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

must be revived. The welfare of our Sabbath-school means the welfare of our children; it means in many instances, their salvation. No wise parent can fail to feel a deep interest in this work. Every Superintendent of a Sabbath-school should be here.

Another important matter is the coming ## CAMP-MEETING. As yet, we have no Camp-meeting Committee. It is generally expected that a new location is to be sought; and it is well known that suitable locations are not plenty—are not easily found and obtained—in California. It is full time that somebody is moving in this matter.

Here we have called attention to several points of interest to all our brethren. And, as it will be a time of general consultation, we think every minister should be present who can come without injury to meetings which he may be holding, or has already appointed.

We have no definite knowledge of the course of Bro. Haskell's labors. We expect he will attend the Camp-meeting in Walla Walla, W. T., June 4, and that of Salem, Oregon, up to July 1. And we hope that California will enjoy the benefit of his labors from that time until our Camp-meeting. Let us all take hold with courage, and so hold as to encourage those who are doing what they can to assist us.