Developments that Brought Changes

Soon circumstances brought about major changes. They made a visit to the church in San Francisco over the weekend of February 21 and 22 and received a hearty welcome. Both spoke Sabbath morning and Sabbath afternoon. Sunday morning they were taken in the Chittenden sailboat seven miles across the Bay to Oakland, where, with a team of horses, they were shown the city. “It is indeed,” wrote Ellen White, “the most beautiful place I have seen in California.” Enthusiastically she added:2BIO 407.3

The shade trees by the sidewalks are many of them a variety of evergreens, trimmed as nicely as those in the yards in San Francisco. The fragrance of these evergreen cedars, fir trees, the trees of great beauty made the air fragrant with their perfume, as the rose-scented geraniums when we pluck the leaves. Flowers were in full bloom.2BIO 407.4

We thought that this might be a very excellent place for the Health Institute and the branch offices [printing] on this coast. We think we may visit this place again soon. There is an excellent little company of Sabbathkeepers, about six in number, in this place....2BIO 407.5

We are now having the most beautiful weather.—Letter 16, 1874.2BIO 407.6

The visit to Oakland planted some seeds in the minds of James and Ellen White.2BIO 408.1

As the weather improved they were able to get out to other churches; they made a two-week visit to Napa, where James White dedicated the newly erected house of worship.2BIO 408.2