p. 76 | California Conference by Editor

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Mar 6, 1879

California Conference.

By Editor

ALMOST half of the Conference year has passed away, and we feel that it is due to the cause that we say a few words to the laborers.

1. Those who are laboring in California should not slack their efforts because we have no President in the State. To the contrary they should show increased energy, zeal, and diligence. As it takes some time for any person to become acquainted with a new field, and California is different from any other in some respects, a President to come from the East now could labor but a short time understandingly in the present Conference year. It therefore becomes those now here to do with their might that which the Lord has intrusted to their hands.

2. The finances of the Conference must necessarily be in a low state this year. Both Oakland and San Francisco are really missionary fields; the churches in these cities are striving to the utmost of their ability to maintain the work at their homes. It is impossible for them to do much, if anything, for the help of the Conference, financially. Therefore it becomes necessary for every minister in the State to do his utmost to keep up the s. B. to its proper place. It must not be suffered to go by default. The financial condition of every church which is visited should be carefully examined. A minister but partly does his duty to a church if he does not know that the figures are right and the treasurer's book is kept in perfect order.

3. We have reason to feel encouraged in our labors, assured by our experience as well as by the promise of God, that "our labor is not in vain in the Lord," and that his blessing will attend earnest, humble efforts put forth trusting in his grace. The establishing of Vigilant Missionary Societies, so far as this has been done, has been productive of the best results, not only in enlarging the circulation of the Signs of the Times, but in inspiring the churches with new zeal and life. It is a truth of which no lover of the cause of God should lose sight, that the more we do for any cause, the more interest we will feel in that cause. No worker can remain indifferent to the success of the work. Those churches where V. M. Societies have been organized show the most vitality and activity.

4. Our State needs more of the true missionary spirit. Our laborers need to work to that point. But as "there are diversities of gifts," and God hath set them in the church as it hath pleased him, it becomes us to honor his appointment. We need the help of those who have the special burden of this work upon them, to train the minds of our young ministers to labor with the most efficiency, and to infuse courage into the body of the believers, and to impress all with the infinite importance of warning others and saving our own souls while the perils of the last days are closing in upon us. We would call attention to the resolution passed unanimously at the last State Quarterly Missionary Meeting, inviting Elder Haskell to visit California. No Conference needs his labors more than that of California, and we believe none would receive his labors with more joy or with greater thankfulness.

We hope that Eld. Haskell will consider this call in arranging for his future labors; and we hope that in the meantime, our home workers will give evidence that they stand ready to second his efforts if he shall come, by renewing their diligence in their several fields. Our missionary workers need the instruction which has been given in other States; our forces need to be better organized and trained to work to the best advantage. But while we desire that instruction and that organization, let us not be idle, but improve faithfully the talent already given to us.