p. 176 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 3, No. 22. (5/31/1877)

Mendocino Co., and Healdsburg.

By John Norton Loughborough

TAKING the steamer Monterey in San Francisco, Monday, May 14, at 4 P. M., I sailed up the coast to Little River, Mendocino Co., where I arrived the following day at 5 P. M. Bro. Stickney was at the boat landing to take me to his home. I spent two days very pleasantly at Little River, speaking each evening to large audiences in the hall, and in the day time visiting, in company with Bro. Stickney's people, their numerous relatives.

Friday, May 18, accompanied by Bro. Stickney and family, we went in their carriage thirty miles to Christine. Our route was through large redwood timber. We saw many trees 14 feet in diameter and over 200 feet in height. Bro. Stickney said that by comparing trees of this size with others whose grains he had counted, they must be over 2000 years old. It was quite impressive to me to look upon these majestic trees and think that at the time our Saviour walked the earth these trees were little twigs bending the way they now incline.

At Christine I spoke seven times, beside which we held a meeting on Sabbath for social worship, and to celebrate the ordinances for the first time among our people there. Twenty-six names are now on the covenant to keep the Sabbath, and most of these are firm in the truth and of good courage in the work. On Sunday a business meeting was held in which a branch of T. and M. Society, district No. 1, was organized with a membership of fifteen.

May 23d, after forty miles staging to Cloverdale, I took cars to Healdsburg where I spent five days visiting our people, holding meetings, and laboring for the good of the church. We had a meeting in which the list of members was read over and an effort made to ascertain the standing of each. Every one present bore testimony, and by correspondence this will be followed up until the list is clear. This investigation ferreted out some matters of trial which were adjusted. Our people seem to favor this plan of having an overhauling of the list of members, once a quarter at least, to see that all are moving in harmony.

Sunday at 3 P. M., I spoke to a good audience at Healdsburg, on the Signs of the Times. Marked attention was given throughout. A deep impression was made by Bro. Smith's discourse the week before on the Eastern Question. We were glad to learn that others in Healdsburg are deciding to obey the truth. So may the work ever advance.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

Are You Sure?

Are you sure that you will live another day?

Are you sure that you are, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, taking the road which leads to present and future happiness, the way of faith in Christ your Saviour, a faith which works by love? Are you sure you are not deceived by a name to live while you are spiritually dead?

Are you sure you are not injuring the cause of God in your family and in public, by an inconsistent walk? Are you sure you are training up your children in the way they should go, and by your example recommending religion to them?

Are you sure your temper is mild and affectionate, that you are of a forgiving spirit and heavenly in conversation, so that others may take knowledge of you that you have been with Jesus? Are you sure you never speak unnecessarily of the faults of others when absent? and if you reprove for faults, are you sure that it is in meekness and love?

Are you sure you read the Holy Scriptures daily, and search them, and try to retain and practice what you read?

Are you sure when you pray, that you are earnest, fervent, believing, and importunate? or are you cold, lifeless and formal?

Are you sure you make no vain excuses for not attending the house of God on the Lord's day? Will the excuses you make be accepted at the Judgment day?

Are you sure that you spend nothing in gaudy dress, unnecessary ornaments, expensive food, or vain amusements which might be spent in a better purpose.

Are you sure that you are not putting off repentance? Beware, for you may die suddenly, be deprived of reason, or given up to hardness of heart.

Friend, ponder these questions, and answer them as in the presence of God; and may the Lord bless them to your soul.

Camp-Meetings for 1877.

CAMP-MEETINGS are located and appointed as follows:—

IOWA, Marshalltown, June 7–12. WISCONSIN, Portage, “ 13–19. MINNESOTA, Hutchinson, “ 20–26. INDIANA, Aug. 9–14. OHIO, Newark (probably), “ 10–20. VERMONT, “ 16–21. ILLINOIS, “ 23–28.

Elder Smith's Visit to California.

By M. K. W.

LAST Sunday Elder Smith started from Oakland for Sacramento, intending to stop at Dixon and speak in the tent that evening, and to preach in Woodland Monday evening, and from there go to Sacramento to join friends returning East. So far as we know, this plan has been carried out and they are now speeding their way over the mountains.

Elder Smith's visit to this State, although quite brief, was a very important one for the cause on this coast. Those who attended the Biblical Institute, which continued about two weeks, will never regret the means expended, nor the effort made to attend, and will never cease to rejoice over the light they received upon the Scriptures.

One brother who had never heard but one S. D. Adventist sermon, but had read the SIGNS and some other publications, having a strong desire to know more of the truth, came four hundred miles down the coast to attend these lectures. Another brother came about four hundred and fifty miles up the coast to have the privilege of attending. Both these brethren became more fully established in the truth, and, like many others, returned home to spread the light to others. From many of these, news has already been received showing that through their instrumentality quite a number are becoming interested in these truths.

During Elder Smith's last trip up the country he spoke upon the Eastern Question in Santa Rosa, Healdsburg and Petaluma. At Santa Rosa, Sabbath forenoon, the house of worship was well filled, many strangers being present. After a short intermission, Elder Smith gave a brief discourse which was followed by a spirited social meeting. This is one of the first places in which the tent was pitched in California, and it was very touching to hear those who were among the first to embrace the truth tell of their love for it and of their gratitude for ever having seen the light. At Healdsburg, Sunday afternoon, Elder Smith spoke to an audience of about four hundred, and Monday evening to a good company in the Congregational church in Petaluma.

No doubt all would have been glad if Elder Smith could have remained longer with us, but duties seemed to call him East and we must be grateful for his labors, thus long, which have given the work a new impetus up and down the entire coast. We are happy to state to the readers of the Signs that he will still continue his interesting articles entitled, "Biblical Institute," and also editorials from week to week.

M. K. W.

North Pacific Mission.

By I. D. Van Horn

SABBATH and Sunday, May 12th and 13th, were days of encouragement for the cause of truth in Salem, Oregon. The blessing of the Lord was present in all the meetings in a rich measure. On the Sabbath day six were baptized and the same number united with the church, making the present number twenty-seven.

A business meeting was held on Sunday morning to perfect the organization of the church which was a complete success in every particular. Bro. Thomas H. Starbuck was elected and ordained elder of the church. The Lord gave us evidence that the right choice had been made.

The plan of Systematic Benevolence was cheerfully and unanimously adopted by the church. They pledged to the amount of $235 per year. Considering their circumstances, they all came up nobly to the work in this respect.

The church hold their meetings in a meeting-house near the center of the city, owned by the South Methodist church. They pay $5 per month rent, which is reasonable, and the house affords them a neat and comfortable place for meetings.

I see no reason now why the cause in Salem may not prosper. There are a few more keeping the Sabbath, and who are firm advocates of the whole truth, that may unite with the church before long. Had we left Salem last fall I don't think we should have seen anywhere near so good a result.

We are now in the town of Dallas, Polk Co., Oregon, fifteen miles west of Salem. We have our tent pitched on a beautiful spot, and seated in an improved style with backs to the seats. We have held three meetings and we can already see some interest. We hope for good results.

I. D. VAN HORN.

Dallas, O., May 20, 1877.

Cause in California.

By John Norton Loughborough

TENT NO. 1 is still in Dixon, where we learn that a very good interest is manifested and the prospect is that a few will take hold of the truth.

TENT NO. 2 is erected near Grangeville, Tulare Co. Bro. Wood writes that the interest is quite good. The first night they had a congregation of forty-one, and a few evenings after, it had increased to eighty-five. This is very good for a newly settled country.

TENT NO. 3, a new 50-foot tent, will probably be pitched next week. Bro. Rice of Colusa Co., who has been speaking to interested audiences near Tehama for the last ten days, expects to be joined in Oakland by Bro. W. W. Smith of Fresno Co., to go out with this tent.

The work in the church and missionary cause in San Francisco is going forward with increasing interest. We shall soon strike for a similar work in Oakland.

J. N. LONGBOROUGH.

All Things Work Together for Good

We may not be able to see how “all things work together for” our good. God does not require us to see it, but to believe it.

Appointments.

OAKLAND—Services at the new church, on the corner of Clay and Thirteenth streets, every Sabbath (Saturday) at 10:30 A.M., and Sunday evening at 7:30. Prayer-meeting every Tuesday evening at 7:30. Sabbath-school at 9 o'clock Sabbath morning.

SAN FRANCISCO—Services at the house of worship, on Laguna street, between Tyler and McAllister, every Sabbath (Saturday), at 11 A. M., and first-day evening at 7:30. Prayer-meeting every Tuesday evening at 7:30. The Hayes Valley cars of Market street and the Lone Mountain cars of the Central R. R. cross Laguna street near the church.

State Quarterly Meeting.

By A. M. Loughborough

The third State Quarterly Meeting of the Cal. Tract and Missionary Society, for this fiscal year, will be held with the Oakland church, Sabbath and Sunday, July 7 and 8. We hope to see as many of the directors, officers, and members present as can possibly attend.

By order of the President.

A. M. Loughborough, Secretary.

The district quarterly meetings will probably all be held two weeks before the State Quarterly Meeting. Appointments will be given next week. A. M. L.

Loughborough’s Oakland and La Fayette Appointments

By John Norton Loughborough

I WILL meet with the church in Oakland, Sabbath and Sunday, June 2 and 3.

PROVIDENCE permitting I will preach in La Fayette, Contra Costa Co., Sabbath and Sunday, June 9 and 10. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

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* Address, Signs of the Times.

OAKLAND, CAL.