AT the session of the California Conference immediately following the General Conference last April, it was unanimously voted that there should be held a Young People’s convention this year. When the time came to make arrangements for the convention, it was found that in order to reach and accommodate the most young people, it would be best to hold two conventions instead of one. Accordingly one was appointed to be held at Healdsburg, July 9-14; the other at Hanford, July 16-21, the first to accommodate those in the northern, the second to accommodate those in the central and the southern, part of the conference.ARSH August 11, 1903, page 21.1

For two years correspondence had been conducted, first in finding the young people between the ages of sixteen and twenty-two, and next in corresponding with them direct. In this way about five hundred and fifty names had been secured; and we knew that it would be a great advantage to have as many of them as possible together for closer acquaintance and more personal work. At Healdsburg more than two hundred of them met, and at Hanford about one hundred and fifty. Thus in the two conventions we were enabled to meet between three hundred and fifty and four hundred bright, earnest young people.ARSH August 11, 1903, page 21.2

And they were in earnest too. They did not come together merely for an outing, nor to have a hilarious time; they came with minds and hearts enlisted to find their true place in the cause of God, and to know what they could, do to be most useful in the world. Hence from beginning to end, both conventions were really devotional meetings. Not a minute of time, not a particle of effort, had to be spent in keeping order, either in or out of the meetings. All the time was needed, and was busily spent in helping them to find the good things of the word and work of God, which their minds and hearts were longing to know. The result was, of course, that the meetings were only a series of rich blessings to all, that increased from meeting to meeting and from day to day, making these two conventions to be what was declared without exception the best meetings that any of us ever attended.ARSH August 11, 1903, page 21.3

At Healdsburg A. T. Jones, A. S. Kellogg, M. E. Cady. W. S. Sadler, B. F. Richards, E. D. Sharpe, and Dr. Evans were present; and at Hanford the same, except Elder Richards and Dr. Evans. Meetings were held at 8:30 and 10:30 A. M., and 3 and 7:45 P. M. The first part of each convention was spent in helping the young people to become, as far as possible, acquainted with the promises of God; and the latter part in helping them to become acquainted as far as possible with the different branches of the work of God. No time was spent in organizing societies; but all the time was spent in getting the young people organized for work, and in helping them actually to enter into the work, or at least take up active preparation to enter into the work. The results were excellent. The meetings were filled with testimonies of praise, confidence, and courage; more than forty decided to enter the canvassing and periodical work—a goodly number without even going home first; and for other branches of the work, and for college, I have not the exact numbers, but many. And even better than this, they all definitely and intelligently decided that wherever they may be, they will be workers with God; and that whatever work shall fall to them to do wherever they may be, whether washing dishes or sewing, picking fruit or plowing, it shall be to them the work of God, and they will “do it heartily, as to the Lord.”ARSH August 11, 1903, page 21.4

It was a great encouragement to the young people to know that they are needed, and that they are wanted in the work of the church, and that a systematic and permanent effort is being made to help them to find each his place in that work. And with glad hearts they asked that another young people’s convention may be held next year. And surely their request must be granted; for there is before the church of God to-day no greater work nor grander opportunity than this of helping our own young people to find their true place in the work of God. God has given to us, has given to this church, the brightest, the cleanest, and the best young people in the world. Simple recognition with a few words of counsel is all that is needed to see them by the scores and the hundreds springing to the noblest and the greatest work that ever fell to the lot of humankind—the work of the third angel’s message. And what should or could be easier for the church to do than to make the simple investment of bestowing this recognition and these few words of counsel? Such investment will readily be repaid a thousand fold. And O that the investment may be promptly and universally made!ARSH August 11, 1903, page 21.5

ALONZO T. JONES.

August 4, 1903

August 25, 1903