Southern California Camp-Meeting.
By Editor
The San Joaquin Valley is mostly a sandy plain, looking like a barren desert at this season of the year, except where it is irrigated. With plenty of water it produces abundantly. An irrigating ditch has run through the ground where the camp was located, in nearly the form of a semi-circle. A row of weeping willows was planted on either bank. The ditch is now dry and leveled down, and the family tents to the number of 42, were pitched underneath these willows, the branches of which, lengthened by a hasty growth produced by irrigation, trailed upon the ground, furnishing a drapery of green around the tents. The effect was pleasing; altogether unlike anything we ever saw elsewhere. In the bend of the circle the large tent was pitched. Previous to the high wind, of which we spoke last week, the weather was hot in the valley. During thirty days, just before the time of the meeting, the thermometer ranged as low as 102 degrees only on three days; but rising as high as 117. The wind blew some during most of the meeting, growing hotter toward the close. The nights were beautiful—just cool enough to be pleasant—and the moon was at the full. The opening of the meeting we have already noticed. Things moved rather slowly, which was not surprising, as the brethren and sisters in that valley are mostly new in the faith. But the meeting was successful; every subject presented met with general acceptance, and prejudice was removed from minds where it had been strongly entrenched. The Sabbath-school was interesting. That branch of our work was greatly advanced, and we feel confident that the schools in Central California will increase in usefulness. It was proved to all that a Camp-meeting may be an occasion of great benefit to children. Visiting the home of a family in “Central Colony,” the father and mother in which fully embraced the truth at the meeting, we were introduced to two children aged eight years. On our inquiring of the mother why she did not take them with her to the meeting, she expressed her regret that she did not; but she never knew before that a Camp-meeting was a proper place to take children. This was a favorable comment on the influence of the meeting. On Sunday, as usual, the discourses were mostly on points of doctrine, embracing immortality and the Sabbath. But the number present was not large. Another Camp-meeting was in progress not far from ours, where all resorted who love excitement and noise, of which it was reported they had plenty there. Our meetings are altogether too orderly to suit that class. But the effect was as good as if they had been present. Those who attended came to hear, and were benefited by the presentation of the truth. On invitation more than thirty came forward for prayers. On Monday afternoon eighteen were baptized. Some of these cases were of more than ordinary interest. And we look for fruit from the conviction fastened on the minds of others. The temperance meeting was productive of much good. The brethren and sisters largely signed the “teetotal pledge.” We were much disappointed to find the friends so far behind in the health reform. We had reason to note this, as bolted flour bread is an abomination to us, especially when produced in the form of pasty hot biscuits. We saw no graham bread upon the ground till near the close of the meeting, and that which we then saw was produced by special friends to meet our oft-expressed want. In the absence of hygienic cookery we lived mostly upon grapes, which are there produced in great abundance and of the very best quality. We plucked from a vineyard of 160 acres. If any incline to envy us such a privilege, we would remind them that a square rod covered with vines would have answered us just as well. And so in everything, Our real wants may be bounded by narrow limits. But we confidently look for an improvement with the churches there, for we scarcely ever saw a company who more readily accepted instruction on this subject. We believe there are as true friends to the cause of present truth in Fresno and Tulare counties as in any part of the country. There is a strong and growing desire to see Bro. and Sister White in that part of the State. We were not able to hold out any definite promise in that direction, but we believe an appointment for them at any season would secure a large attendance.