Conejo Church

(1889-1901)

The Gospel Messenger  Mar. 19, 1889 p. 188 Vol. 27, No. 12

From California.
   The series of meetings in the Conejo Valley, Ventura County, lasted ten days, with increasing interest to the last. Bro. Witmore's earnest and uncompromising way of presenting the Truth resulted in building up the members more firmly in the faith of the Gospel, and the bringing in of six more precious souls to work for the Lord in his kingdom! The last two were baptized on the last night of the meeting, about the hour of ten o'clock.
   On Saturday, March 2, we met in council with the members, and found them all in union and love, and in unanimity of sentiment in regard to organizing a new church district, to embrace the territory of Ventura County and adjoining territory, most convenient to that locality.
   An election was held for a minister, which resulted in the choice of Bro. Geo. F. Chamberline. Bro. Brandt was elected to the office of deacon. We hope the dear brethren will, by the grace of God, be qualified to magnify their office to the good of the church. The newly-organized congregation now has twenty-five members, including the two ministers and two deacons resident there. Bro. C. Wine is a minister in the second degree, so the congregation is now in good working order. Several more members soon expect to locate there, and we can say to brethren who contemplate coming to the coast country, you will find a good country there, with warm-hearted brethren and sisters. Laud is comparatively cheap and very productive.
   The writer having been chosen as overseer of the above congregation, and having many other duties to see after, takes this opportunity to say that if there is an elder anywhere who contemplates coming West, we would like for him to think of this little band of brethren and sisters, and locate among them. Only such as are efficient in word and doctrine, and fully identified with the distinctive features of the general Brotherhood, and full of love and humility, can be a success in communities where there is so much to contend with. For particulars, write to Bro. C. Wine, Timberville, Ventura Co., Cal.
J. S. Flory.