CALIFORNIA CAMP-MEETING—TIME AND PLACE.
By J. H. Waggoner
THE camp-meeting has been appointed at the time which has been approved by nearly all the friends in the State as being the most suitable. All classes are pleased with it, as it seems to be well suited to all business and occupations. The location has always been the most difficult point to settle in this State. No other State in the Union has labored under the same difficulties. The lines of travel are in the valleys, and in the valleys it is not an easy matter to find a suitable place, with shade and water. Healdsburg proved to be a good place, last year; but it is to the extreme north of the settlements of our people. A peculiarity of California is, that all lines of travel center in San Francisco. To go from one section to another, it is often necessary to go first to San Francisco, and thence take another line to the place of destination. It has been considered an object, for several years, to hold a camp-meeting near this great center. Four years ago, with others, I examined Alameda with this in view. This year it was decided to hold it in Alameda if a location to suit could be obtained. One has been secured. An enclosed lot, with as many trees as are desirable, no underbrush, and water-pipes will be run through the ground. It is near a station on the “local line” of the Central Pacific Railroad, and not far from the Narrow Guage Railroad. It is easy of access from any part of the country, and from any of the cities and towns around the Bay. So far, everything seems favorable. But all these preparations and advantages do not make a meeting. They only make it possible. To have a meeting we must depend upon the people. If our people are resolved to have a good meeting this year, they will have it, because it is clearly within their power. If there is a failure, it will be because of our failure to improve our privileges. But this is a contingency which we shall not be willing to even contemplate. Our brethren cannot afford to suffer anything like a failure. Our cause is too precious—the necessities of the times too urgent—to admit of neglect in this matter. We all need the meeting, and it is our duty to help sustain it. I hope no cause which can possibly be obviated will be suffered to hinder any from discharging their duty in this matter. The business of our institutions and associations is fast increasing from year to year. To attend to this business, and not suffer the spiritual interests of the meeting to be neglected, it has been considered necessary to hold the meeting over two Sabbaths—from Sept. 16–27. The meeting in Tulare county, last spring, though not appointed for more than one week, continued longer by the urgent request of the brethren and sisters in attendance. If such a spirit shall be manifested among our people generally, we shall be sure to have a profitable time, for all who come will remain to the close. Every person coming to the camp-meeting should have two objects in view:—to be benefited, and to serve the cause. And I would entreat our brethren not to let this opportunity be lost. Politicians are setting you an example of zeal in their work. Shall it always be that the children of this world are wiser than the children of light? We shall show by our zeal, by our works, by our sacrifices, how highly we value the cause of our Master. Every other cause will soon fail. This only will increase in importance and power. An opportunity will be afforded to gain instruction in our society work which may not soon be offered again. This should be improved. Every consideration urges us to be faithful now. Come to this feast of tabernacles. Let no one fail. J. H. WAGGONER.