February 7, 1907

The Work in Oakland and San Francisco—No. 5

EGW

On Sabbath, November 3, and again on Sabbath, November 10, and on the following day, the Lord gave me strength to speak to his people in San Francisco. The meeting for Sunday afternoon was well advertised, and there was a good outside attendance from the city.RH February 7, 1907, par. 1

I was much pleased to have the privilege of speaking in the church at San Francisco. My husband and I and a few others worked together to obtain the means to erect this building, over thirty years ago. It would have been a heavy loss if this church had been destroyed; but it was not seriously injured by the earthquake.RH February 7, 1907, par. 2

The ventilation in the San Francisco church is not good, and after my return home, I suffered from the effects of breathing the impure air. The influenza was upon me. For over a month I felt unable to travel. However, my general health was good, and I was able to do considerable writing. And when, the second week in December, I received an invitation from Elder W. W. Simpson to come to Oakland and speak to the people on Sabbath, I had so far recovered from the influenza that I ventured to go.RH February 7, 1907, par. 3

Elder Simpson held meetings in Oakland for about two months. His labors were greatly blessed. For a few weeks after his meetings began, we were favored with remarkably good weather. The days were clear and mild, and the rainfall was very light. But the workers in Oakland had to meet difficulties; for the tent was blown down twice by severe wind-storms, and badly torn; and toward the close of the series of meetings it rained for several days, and the workers found it necessary to take down the tent for a few days, and temporarily discontinue the meetings.RH February 7, 1907, par. 4

The manner of Elder Simpson's work reminds me of the efforts that were put forth in 1843 and 1844. He does not make prominent his own words, but reads much from the Bible, explaining one scripture by another. He dwells largely on the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation, and uses many illustrations and suitable figures to impress the truth. To represent the beasts of Daniel and Revelation, he has prepared lifelike images of papier-mache.RH February 7, 1907, par. 5

Elder Simpson endeavors to avoid entering into controversy with opponents. He presents the Bible so clearly that it is evident that any one who differs, must do so in opposition to the Word of God.RH February 7, 1907, par. 6

Friday evening and Sabbath forenoon, December 15 and 16, Elder Simpson spoke upon the subject of Spiritual Gifts, dwelling especially upon the spirit of prophecy. Those who were present at these discourses say that he treated the subject in a clear, forceful manner.RH February 7, 1907, par. 7

Sabbath afternoon I filled my appointment in the large Congregational church that is now being used by our people. The room was filled, and the doors at one side were thrown up, that many might be accommodated in an adjoining room. I am told that between five and six hundred were present. It was with fear and trembling that I went to the service; for on Friday I was very poorly—so ill, in fact, that I hardly had strength sufficient to enable me to sit up. Sabbath afternoon I feared that it would be impossible for me to stand before the congregation for over half an hour. But as I spoke, the invigorating power of the Spirit of God came upon me, and I was enabled to continue speaking for one hour and fifteen minutes. Such experiences remind me of what I passed through frequently in the earlier days of the message.RH February 7, 1907, par. 8

For about a year after my husband died, I suffered greatly from sorrow. At that time, when I seemed to be hovering between life and death, my son Willie persuaded me to go a short distance in a phaeton to a camp-meeting in Healdsburg. A sofa had been placed on the platform in the large tent. Here I lay down, thinking I would deliver my farewell address. My face was as the face of one dead, without a particle of color.RH February 7, 1907, par. 9

After a few testimonies had been borne, I asked Willie to help me to arise to my feet, and let me lean on him. There I stood, and began to tell the people that this was probably the last time they would ever hear my voice in camp-meeting. But after speaking a few words, I felt the Spirit and power of God thrilling through every nerve of my body. Those who saw me said that the blood could be seen as it put color in my lips and reached my forehead. My flesh took on its natural appearance. One of the citizens of Healdsburg, in great surprise, turned to one of his neighbors, and exclaimed, “A miracle is being wrought in sight of this whole congregation!” I could not understand why all were looking so intently at me, some even rising to their feet. The Spirit of the Lord had rested upon me, and I had been healed in the presence of a large congregation. During the remainder of the camp-meeting, I spoke several times.RH February 7, 1907, par. 10

These special impartations of strength in times of great physical weakness, give me courage. The Lord is my helper. I praise him with heart and voice for his wonderful mercies and his sustaining power.RH February 7, 1907, par. 11

The efforts put forth in Oakland have borne fruit in the salvation of precious souls. Sunday morning, December 16, I attended a baptismal service at the Piedmont Baths. Thirty-two candidates were buried with their Lord in baptism, and arose to walk in newness of life. This was a scene that angels of God witnessed with joy. Several children were baptized first, and then the older ones. Occasionally a stanza of some hymn of praise was sung. There was no confusion. The entire service was impressive.RH February 7, 1907, par. 12