p. 16 | Beginning Work in Southern California

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 2, 1914

Beginning Work in Southern California

By Lewis C. Sheafe

THE closing days of November, 1913, found us preparing to leave Washington, D. C., for our new field of labor in Southern California. Five busy, pleasant, and profitable days were spent in Chicago with the three churches there, also with the friends at Hinsdale, where I spent a short time in service. The trip across the continent was a delightful and helpful experience.

We spent a Sabbath in San Francisco, and were refreshed by the kind hospitality of friends hitherto unknown. We safely arrived in Los Angeles Dec. 7. Had we not known it was winter, we would have called it April or May.

The Furlong church, to which we came directly, is composed of nearly one hundred members, with an interesting Sabbath school of promising young folk. Many friends had heard of our coming and were eager for special services. So after the week of prayer, which proved a refreshing season, we began to look around for a large, centrally located building in which to hold meetings. The Lord directed one of the brethren to an almost ideal hall on the ground floor. This hall was secured, and made ready for meetings, which began Jan. 11, 1914.

Meanwhile I had been privileged to speak with acceptance at the Forum, an organization of progressive colored people, and also at the colored branch of the Y. M. C. A. This helped advertise our work, and gained for the cause some friends.

The attitude of the people in general has been very cordial. The meetings have been faithfully attended by members and friends from the other Adventist churches, whose words of encouragement have helped lighten the strain when strength was needed.

At Long Beach, said to be the most rapidly growing city in the United States, I was privileged to speak by the seaside to hundreds, who listened with interest and courtesy. I was invited there by the Long Beach church.

At Watts, where there are ten or more families of our people, we have organized a three o'clock Sabbath school, which we trust will grow into a monument to Jehovah.

The special services which were conducted at 1207 Central Ave., Los Angeles, closed March 8. Although the weather much of the time has been very unfavorable, the interest has been good, and the attendance excellent. Fifty signed the covenant to keep all God's holy law.

The demand for more meetings is earnest and urgent, and we trust the requests may be granted later this season.

The effect on those whose hearts were in the movement and whose interest has kindled as the meetings progressed, has been good. Many whose faith had grown weak and whose love was growing

cold, have experienced a rich blessing from the Lord.

Brethren and sisters, remember us in your prayers. The harvest is ripe and the laborers are few. My address is 1723 East Fifty-first St., Los Angeles, Cal.

LEWIS C. SHEAFE.