Woodland, Red Bluff, and Stockton by John Norton Loughborough

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, Cal. · May 20, 1875

Woodland, Red Bluff, and Stockton.

By John Norton Loughborough

According to appointment in the Signs, I was with the church in Woodland, May 1 and 2, and was pleased to see a goodly number who had embraced the truth during Bro. Waggoner's recent meetings. Most of these have already united with the Woodland church. One more was voted in while I was there. The brethren and sisters appear to be much encouraged and strengthened by the labors of Bro. Waggoner, and the visit and discourses of sister White. I spoke five times during my two days' meeting, and held one business session.

There was one thing I was sorry to see on the part of two or three, who have for some time professed the truth, that is a disposition to set up their peculiar feelings against the judgment of the church, and against the judgment of the ministers, as well as against the counsel of those who have stood long for the truth. To see a few such, charging these old hands of "setting up idols in their hearts," simply because they advise that which in the sincerity of their souls they believe will tend to promote harmony in the worship of God in Woodland, does not look like Paul's advice of submission to one another.

If people cannot see everything as others do, it does not look like the work of the Spirit of God for them to fly off at once and refuse to meet with the people God. I fear such moves result from too high a regard for ones individual opinions instead of true humility. I trust all such will see themselves in this trial and learn thereby.

Bro. H. C. Yerbey, director of district No. 5, having disposed of his property at Woodland, and being about to move away, tendered his resignation as director of that district. Bro. Geo. Martin of Woodland was nominated and elected to act as director, subject however to the action of the next State quarterly meeting.

At Red Bank, May 8, 9, I spoke three times and held one business meeting, for the T. and M. Society of district No. 6, and also a meeting to celebrate the ordinances. Several who had been reading the Signs with interest for a few months past came eleven miles and stayed through all our meetings. At the close of the meeting on Sunday one of these, a sister, decided to obey the Lord. We baptized her, and she was received as a member of the Red Bluff Church. So we see still more fruit of missionary effort, especially in distributing the Signs. Don't slack your efforts, brethren and sisters, for you know not which shall prosper, this or that, or whether both shall be alike good.

The evening of May 11 and 12, I was with Bro. Canright in the tent at Stockton, and spoke each evening to good attentive audiences. The interest is increasing in the meetings. Although the tent has been in Stockton only about three weeks, twelve have come out firmly on the truth, and others are almost persuaded. So the good work progresses. Bro. Waggoner will probably join Bro. Canright to-morrow to assist in the good begun work.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Pleasanton, May 13.