THE CAUSE IN CALIFORNIA by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 14, 1880

THE CAUSE IN CALIFORNIA.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

OUR good camp-meeting is in the past, and those who attended it have returned to their homes much encouraged. If not encouraged, the fault must have been their own; for those who took an interest in seeking God, realized more or less the presence of his holy Spirit. The restraining influence of his Spirit upon everything that would cause confusion, the interest to hear the truth manifested on the part of those not of our faith, the reclaiming of backsliders, and the stand many took to connect themselves with the cause of present truth, indicated, stronger than language could express, the willingness on the part of the Lord to work for his people.

The important question now with us is, Will we acknowledge God in this, move forward, and see of his salvation? Will this meeting be of lasting benefit to the cause in this State? We cannot think otherwise. The coming year should be the most successful one that this Conference has ever witnessed. This can, and will be the case, if each acts well his part. We serve the living God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and he will lead his people to greater victories than ever before experienced, if we faithfully follow his opening providence.

1. Extra efforts should be put forth in the missionary work. We should seek for greater devotion, and more of the spirit of Christ in the efforts put forth. Our Vigilant Missionary Societies should labor with greater diligence to spread the knowledge of the truth, by sending the rays of light to those portions of the country and world where the inhabitants have not heard of the soon-coming King.

The volumes of "Spirit of Prophecy," with our other publications, should be in every family of our brethren in the Conference. Daily family reading should be established wherever it is consistent. This will prove a great blessing. Efforts should be made by our ministers and tract officers to bring this about. The truths we profess should become familiar to us. These publications, especially the volumes of "Spirit of Prophecy," will throw great light on the Scriptures, and help us to become familiar with them.

2. A special effort should be made for all our brethren and sisters to become members of the State Tract Society, and labor for the advancement of the truth. Remember the cause of God in your prayers, also your ministers, and those laboring in any sphere. The work of God should be much upon the mind. It should be the theme of conversation.

Of the early church it is said, that when they met, their common salutation was, "The Lord is coming." David says, "I will speak of the glorious honor of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works." "They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom."

3. The tithe should be regarded with a greater sacredness by many, than heretofore. It should be laid aside from the first-fruits. The figures show that our brethren have done well the past year. Not only should our brethren and sisters having charge of families, sacredly place the tithe in the Lord's treasury, but the children should be taught to realize that God is the giver of every blessing which they receive, and that therefore, an offering should be returned to him. Thus they will learn to acknowledge God in all their ways. We are exceedingly anxious to see this Conference receive all the fullness of the promise recorded in Malachi 3:10-12.

4. The health and temperance work should also be pushed forward the coming year. Each member of the families of our brethren should be represented on the teetotal pledge, and sacredly observe it. Clubs should be organized where they do not already exist, and every consistent means should be resorted to, to make them interesting. Rescue the fallen from the vile habits of tobacco and alcohol, as far as possible. There is almost everything yet to be done, if we, as a people, would stand in the light as it now shines upon us.

5. Hold the vows sacred that were made upon the camp-ground. These were of two classes: One was, to get nearer to God, and be more faithful and devoted to his service; the other was, in making pledges to the tract society reserve fund, and taking shares in the Publishing Association, and life memberships in the General Tract and Missionary Society. The Spirit of the Lord rested upon us, and you did well in making your vows. God accepted them. David says, "Vow and pay." But do not forget them or consider them of no account. When we make a promise to God, and he accepts, it becomes holy, and it is an evil, a source of weakness, to forget its sacredness. "It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make inquiry." "Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error; wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands." See Eccl. 5:1-6; Prov. 20:25; Deut. 23:21-23; Acts 5:1-10.

6. Pray for your ministers; this is important. The apostle Paul depended much upon the prayers of his brethren. We have now a sufficient corps if all prove faithful, and are physically able to run four tents next season. Within one week from the close of our camp-meeting, this number of fields were entered. The future for California, from present indications, looks favorable. The essential thing now is God's blessing. This we can have, if there be one united effort to come near to him. Our interest was never greater for the prosperity of the cause in this State, than now. "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord." Ps. 31:24. S. N. HASKELL.