p. 114 | FAIRVIEW, FRESNO CO., CAL

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Mar 11, 1880

FAIRVIEW, FRESNO CO., CAL.

By M. C. Israel; J. L. Wood

We commenced meetings in the school-house at this place, and at Temperance Colony, Feb. 19. The meetings were well attended by the church, and some outside interest manifested. This church numbers sixty-eight, the members being located in four different settlements; namely, Fairview, Temperance Colony, Mendocino, and Central Colony.

Regular Sabbath meetings and Sabbath-schools are held at the two former places. Our Sabbaths were spent at Fairview, so we did not visit the school at Temperance Colony, but were very much pleased with the school at Fairview, under the superintendence of Bro. J. W. Traber. A praiseworthy interest was manifested by both old and young. The map exercise was a very interesting feature of the school, and was participated in by those of from ten to fifteen years of age. Each seemed anxious for his turn to come to point out places on the map and relate incidents that took place there.

There is also a live temperance club at each of these places, which meets alternately every two weeks. At these meetings essays are read, speeches made, and temperance pieces recited by the boys and girls of the club. Quite a number who are not of our faith are members.

Some difficulties existed in the church which were brought up and reconciled, and others were left in a way to settle themselves. An elder and deacon were elected and ordained. The V. M. Society at each of the two first named places was revived, and their numbers more than doubled. Weekly meetings were appointed, and twenty-five more copies of the SIGNS subscribed for. The SIGNS, Review, and Good Health, are read by most of the families in the church, also the church library and other books.

We visited nearly all the members of the church at their homes, and a large majority signed the pledge to pay the Lord's tithe, and besides, the one-third. We think nearly all the others will do so when called on. This completes our labors for the present in Fresno and Tulare counties. From the willingness the brethren have manifested in these places we are encouraged that all the brethren in other parts of our conference may abound in "this grace also." Our prayer is that the brothers and sisters may have grace to carry out their good resolutions and pay their vows, so there "may be meat in the Lord's house," and in return the windows of Heaven be opened and the blessing promised be poured out upon them.

M. C. ISRAEL, J. L. WOOD.