The Temperance Crusade and the Tent

Just at this time a keen interest was developing in Oakland to close the 135 saloons through the provisions of a recently passed local option law. The California tents (a second one was started in East Oakland) came into play in mass temperance meetings running a full week (Manuscript 4, 1874). Reported M. E. Cornell:2BIO 416.1

The women seemed to take the lead in the crusade, and for several weeks they labored under many discouragements. But finally the city mayor, several clergymen, one of the daily papers, and several of the leading citizens and businessmen came to the rescue. Having thoroughly organized, the executive committee planned for a series of mass meetings, which were held in our large and commodious tents. They worked night and day, until the whole city was roused to action. A strong healthy sentiment was created by the public speeches, and the printed documents which resulted in a glorious victory.—The Signs of the Times, June 11, 1874.2BIO 416.2

When the vote of May 30 was counted, it was found that there was a majority of 253 against license. Reported Cornell:2BIO 416.3

When the result was declared, the public rejoicing knew no bounds. Church bells were rung, bonfires lighted, and a rousing mass meeting at the tent did not break up until eleven o'clock at night.—Ibid.2BIO 416.4

The public press published words of appreciation for the cooperation of the tent workers. One newspaper carried the headline “Large and Enthusiastic Gatherings of the People at the Advent Elders’ Tents on Broadway and in East Oakland” (The Review and Herald, June 25, 1874). The cooperation of the tent workers and the publicity that followed gave impetus to the evangelistic meetings, and, as James White put it, “taught the crowd the way to the tent” (Ibid., June 2, 1874).2BIO 416.5

Sabbath, May 23, Ellen White was jubilant. Morning and afternoon services had been held in the tent, and she reported to W. H. Littlejohn in Battle Creek:2BIO 416.6

I must write you the good news. This has been one of the best Sabbaths to us. There were about sixty people present, including a most interesting company of about twenty-five who were assembled to worship God upon the Sabbath, most of them for the first time. A few observed last Sabbath.—Letter 28, 1874.2BIO 417.1

A social meeting was held Sabbath afternoon. Ellen White wrote:2BIO 417.2

We had many testimonies from those who were keeping the Sabbath for the first time. Quite a number spoke who had never opened their lips in public before.—Ibid.

A climax was reached on Sunday afternoon, June 14, when fifteen hundred to two thousand people gathered at Lake Merritt in Oakland. From an embankment above the water and from boats on the lake, they witnessed the baptism of twenty-three candidates, the firstfruits of the Oakland tent meetings. D. M. Canright administered the rite, but at the beginning James White addressed the crowd for a few minutes on the law of God and baptism. Canright reported that “all listened with the greatest respect and manifest interest. Not the least disturbance occurred from beginning to end.”—The Review and Herald, July 7, 1874.2BIO 417.3