Oakland Vigilant Missionary Society.
By Mrs. H. Tay
Thinking it may be of interest to other Vigilant Societies to learn of the interest in the V. M. Society at this place we give the following: It is now nearly two years since our society was organized, with a membership of thirteen. There has been a gradual increase until at the present time it numbers fifty. Some of these have moved to other places, where the truth has never been preached, and are active workers where they live. In this manner we have corresponding agents in Oregon, British Columbia, England, Australia, besides different portions of this State. At first our Society took 20 copies of the SIGNS. This number has been gradually increased until we now take 150 copies which are mailed weekly. We also have copies of the Signes de Temps, French, Advent Tidende, Danish, and seventy-five copies of the Stimme der Wahrheit, German. Our correspondents, like other societies, extends wherever these different languages are spoken; we also have sent publications whenever a correspondence has been opened. The following extracts will give some idea of the result of our labor: A lady in Scotland writes: "I received your letter, and feel thankful to you for being so kind in sending the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. I think it very interesting, and if you find it convenient to send it, we shall be glad to receive it." A lady from England says: "I received your letter this afternoon requesting to be informed if I have received the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. In reply I beg to say I have, and I return you many thanks for the same. I like it very much. If the post man calls with more, we shall gladly take them in, and I promise you they will be read by our family and friends." A gentleman writes from Texas: "I have received several copies of the SIGNS, and read them with interest. I have gathered some excellent things from it, and am always glad to get it. Send it for six months, and I will pay you for it." A lady from Iowa writes: "The Review and Herald has been sent me for over a year, by a friend, also some of your tracts, and by reading these I became satisfied we were keeping the wrong day for the Sabbath; so since the middle of March I have been trying to keep the seventh day according to the commandment. I feel that I have a much firmer hold on the Divine Arm than before I commenced investigating these doctrines. My hope is brighter, my faith much strengthened. I send you a small amount of money and desire you to send the SIGNS to Mrs.—— and Mrs.——." The two following extracts are from individuals in this State:— One says: "I have been almost daily searching the truths of God in this blessed Book he has given us, and reading the tracts and papers, comparing them with the Bible. I have commenced to keep God's holy Sabbath, and I believe in the doctrine you advocate. I realize the fact of the nearness we are to the end, and look for the Lord's soon coming to set up his glorious Kingdom. When the proper time comes, I shall be baptized. Your tracts and papers have stirred up the people in this vicinity; they are thinking and talking about it a good deal." The other says: "I have never seen the SIGNS OF THE TIMES before, but enjoyed reading those you sent me very much. I find their contents very encouraging to a young Christian, and shall send the copies I have to some of my friends, believing it to be an excellent way of spreading the cause of Christ and thus gathering the lambs into the fold." A gentleman from Australia writes: "Many thanks to you for sending me the SIGNS OF THE TIMES which I read with very great interest. After perusing them, I give them to my friends who also like them. Religion in South Australia appears to be in a lethargic state, and I think it would do our colonists good to have some of your brethren among us." Another incident of interest: A member of our Society when on a visit to British Columbia obtained the address of a merchant and sent the SIGNS to him for three months, at the expiration of which time he was written to and asked if he would like to become a subscriber; but before this letter reached him his partner in business, who had become interested in the paper, had sent five dollars to the Office for the SIGNS. He writes that about fourteen months after the first subscription he again sent five dollars, but failing to reach the Office he now sends five dollars more. These letters are but samples of those we are constantly receiving, and we hope they will stimulate others to engage in the work, and with us share the cheering consciousness that we are heeding the command, "Go work in my vineyard." MRS. H. TAY, Sec.