EGW
By invitation I attended the meeting held at Healdsburg in connection with the closing of the school year, May 29, 1903. I was glad to learn that teachers and students had united in dispensing with the wearisome and profitless exercises that usually attend the closing of a school, and that the energies of all, to the very close, were devoted to profitable study. RH July 14, 1903, par. 1
On Friday morning the certificates were quietly handed to those who were entitled to them, and then students and teachers united in an experience meeting, in which many recounted the blessings that they had freely received from God during the year. RH July 14, 1903, par. 2
On Sabbath morning I spoke to a large audience in the commodious meeting-house of the Healdsburg church. The students and teachers were seated in front, and I was blessed in presenting to them their responsibility as laborers together with God. The Saviour calls upon our teachers and students to render efficient service as fishers of men. RH July 14, 1903, par. 3
In the evening a large audience assembled in the church to listen to a musical program rendered by Brother Beardslee and his pupils. Good singing is an important part of the worship of God. I am glad that Brother Beardslee is training the students, so that they can be singing evangelists. RH July 14, 1903, par. 4
I was much pleased with what I saw of the school. During the past year it has made marked progress. Both teachers and students are reaching higher and still higher in the spiritual life. During the past year there have been remarkable conversions. Lost sheep have been found and brought back to the fold. RH July 14, 1903, par. 5
For some months we have been planning to hold grove meetings near St. Helena, Calistoga, and other places in the Napa Valley. The first one was held on Sunday, June 7, in the Hot Springs Park, at Calistoga. The conference lent us some folding chairs. The members of the Calistoga church are anxious to carry the truth to those who have not heard it, and they made thoughtful preparation for the meeting. We were confident that open-air meetings would be the means of reaching some who would not attend a service held in a church. And thus they have proved. RH July 14, 1903, par. 6
Although the day was oppressively warm, a goodly number were present at the meeting. The Lord gave me much freedom in speaking. The people seemed to enjoy the meeting very much, and an appointment was given out that meetings would be held in the same place the following Sabbath and Sunday. Our people gathered early Sunday morning, and spent the day together in the grove. A larger number were present on the second Sunday than on the first. RH July 14, 1903, par. 7
We expect to continue these open-air meetings. I believe that by them much good will be accomplished. The next one is to be held near St. Helena, if a suitable place can be found. RH July 14, 1903, par. 8
We desire to do all we can to warn those around us of the soon coming of the Saviour. My heart is drawn out to those who know not the truth for this time. RH July 14, 1903, par. 9
I hope soon to speak in the Soldiers’ Home at Yountville, a place about eleven miles from here. In this Home there are more than eight hundred veterans, who are cared for by the State. For several months a company of workers from the Sanitarium church has been going there every other Sabbath to hold a song service. At first only a few of the soldiers attended the service, but now there are from seventy-five to one hundred in attendance. RH July 14, 1903, par. 10
Sometimes a thirty-minute talk on a Bible subject is given. At a meeting a few weeks ago the soldiers were asked if they would like to have a short Bible study after the song service. About a dozen said that they would; but when the time came to hold the study, more than fifty remained. RH July 14, 1903, par. 11
Last Sabbath an intelligent-looking man in the Home said to one of the workers, “Before you came here to sing for us, I spent nearly all my time in drinking and carousing with my companions. But since you have been coming, I have found a better way of spending my time. I have given up liquor drinking, and am reading ‘The Desire of Ages.’” RH July 14, 1903, par. 12
A few weeks ago about twenty of the children from our church school here went to the Home to sing for the soldiers. They had been carefully trained by their teacher, and they sang well. The soldiers were greatly pleased, and asked that the children come again. RH July 14, 1903, par. 13
Reading-matter is freely distributed to the soldiers. Many are interested, and those in charge of the Home recognize the good work that is being done. This work must be carried forward. The Lord looks with loving pity upon the aged men in such institutions. I fully believe that many who are now indifferent will be won to Christ. RH July 14, 1903, par. 14
God expects those who claim to be his children to bring others to him. I wish that all our people could see the many doors that are opening before them. Beside all waters the seeds of truth are to be sown. To all the world—to every nation and kindred and tongue and people—the message is to be proclaimed. If those who have received the light of present truth would have a living faith in Christ, if they would realize that they are to be his workers, wholly consecrated to his service, what a work might be done! When God's people surrender themselves unreservedly to him, they will use every power of mind and body to his glory; and his work will make rapid advancement. RH July 14, 1903, par. 15
The things that concern our eternal welfare are now to absorb our attention. We can not afford to give heavenly things the second place. Christ says, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” RH July 14, 1903, par. 16
As I hear of the terrible calamities that from week to week are taking place in the world, I ask myself, What do these things mean? Are they permitted to come to arouse those who are transgressing the law of God? The most awful disasters, by fire and flood, are following one another in quick succession. The judgments of God are in the land. They speak in solemn warning, saying, “Be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” RH July 14, 1903, par. 17
There are many, many in our churches who know little of the real meaning of the truth for this time. I appeal to them not to disregard the fulfilling of the signs of the times, which say so plainly that the end is near. O how many who have not sought their soul's salvation will soon make the bitter lamentation, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and my soul is not saved”! RH July 14, 1903, par. 18
We are living in the closing scenes of this earth's history. Prophecy is rapidly fulfilling. The hours of probation are fast passing. We have no time—not a moment—to lose. Let us not be found sleeping on guard. Let no one say in his heart or by his works, “My Lord delayeth his coming.” Let the message of Christ's soon return sound forth in earnest words of warning. Let us persuade men and women everywhere to repent, and flee from the wrath to come. Let us arouse them to immediate preparation; for we little know what is before us. Let ministers and lay members go forth into the ripening fields. They will find their harvest wherever they proclaim the forgotten truths of the Bible. They will find those who will accept the truth, and who will devote their lives to winning souls to Christ. RH July 14, 1903, par. 19
The Lord is soon to come, and we must be prepared to meet him in peace. Let us be determined to do all in our power to impart light to those around us. We are not to be sad, but cheerful, and we are to keep the Lord Jesus ever before us. He is coming soon, and we must be ready and waiting for his appearing. O how glorious it will be to see him, and be welcomed as his redeemed ones! Long have we waited, but our faith is not to become weak. If we can but see the King in his beauty, we shall be forever and forever blessed. I feel as if I must cry aloud, “Homeward bound.” We are nearing the time when Christ will come with power and great glory, to take his ransomed ones to their eternal home. RH July 14, 1903, par. 20