Finding Rest in Labor for Souls

Scarcely a week passed following her arrival at the home of her son, Elder W. C. White, in Oakland, Cal., before Mrs. White attended a camp meeting held in Sacramento, October 13-25. On nearly every day of the meeting she spoke to the people, and during the last Sunday afternoon gave a temperance address to an audience numbering upwards of five thousand.LS 258.2

Often during the winter months of 1881-82, Mrs. White met with local churches and small companies of believers in Sonoma and Napa valleys and vicinity. “I was in feeble health,” she wrote in her first published report of these labors among the churches; “but the precious evidence of the favor of God more than repaid me for the effort made.LS 259.1

“Would that our smaller churches could be more often visited. The faithful ones, who stand firmly in defense of the truth, would be cheered and strengthened by the testimony of their brethren.LS 259.2

“I would encourage those who assemble in little companies to worship God. Brethren and sisters, be not disheartened because you are so few in number. The tree that stands alone upon the plain, strikes its roots deeper into the earth, spreads out its branches farther on every side, and grows stronger and more symmetrical while wrestling singly with the tempest or rejoicing in the sunshine. So the Christian, cut off from earthly dependence, may learn to rely wholly upon God, and may gain strength and courage from every conflict.LS 259.3

“May the Lord bless the scattered and lonely ones, and make them efficient workers for Him Brethren, do not forget the wants of these small and isolated companies. Christ will be found a guest at their little gatherings.” The Signs of the Times, January 12, 1882.LS 259.4

In a report concerning her labors in the church at Healdsburg, where a few weeks later a beginning was made in the establishment of Healdsburg College, Mrs. White wrote particularly of her effort to reach the hearts of the children and youth—a marked feature of her labors in the California churches and this period of her experience:LS 259.5