CAMP-MEETING AT MILTON, OREGON by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · June 17, 1880

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 55, No. 25

CAMP-MEETING AT MILTON, OREGON.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

BY ELD. S. N. HASKELL.

THIS meeting commenced according to appointment, and continued over two Sabbaths and first-days. No pains had been spared to make the grounds pleasant and attractive. Elds. Van Horn, Jones, and Raymond were present, also Eld. Colcord and wife, who arrived in time for the meeting. Eld. Colcord’s assistance in preaching was appreciated by all present, and both he and his wife seemed to win their way to the hearts of the people.

The spiritual interest of the brethren was not what we had hoped to find it. Having had but little labor during the past year, and there having been no experienced brethren to properly instruct them in the nature of this work, and some other circumstances having been unfavorable, they were not as well prepared to appreciate such meetings as they would otherwise have been.

At times the Lord drew especially near, and his presence was sensibly realized. On Sabbath, May 22, it seemed that the powers of darkness gave way and the Spirit of God moved on all hearts. As Sister White appealed to the congregation to seek God and have a living connection with him, a general move was made. About one hundred came forward for prayers. Among these were the gray-headed, the middle-aged, the youth, and the children. A heavenly influence pervaded the grounds. On several occasions after this there were similar manifestations.

Much interest was taken in the Bible-class, and in instructions in the tract and missionary work. Nearly all who had not previously become members of the tract society, joined at this meeting. A reserve fund was started, and a few pledged between five and six hundred dollars for the same.

A paper was circulated by Bro. Wood, on the last day of the meeting, for the purpose of raising means to defray the expenses of Eld. Colcord and wife to Oregon, and in a short time enough was pledged to meet their expenses in full. This showed that the brethren appreciated his coming to labor in their midst. From what I know of the feelings of our friends on this coast, there is no locality where the same interest and appreciation would not be manifested toward any minister who should come to them with the sanction of the General Conference Committee.

It was thought advisable, under the circumstances, to divide the Conference. Eld. Colcord was chosen president of the North Columbia Conference, which lies east of the Cascade Mountains, including Idaho. He was also chosen president of the T. and M. society and of the Sabbath-school Association, and his wife secretary of the T. and M. society.

A health and temperance organization was also effected, with Bro. William Russell as president, and Bro. William Smith as secretary. Ninety-five signed the pledges, eighty-six of whom were full members, seventy-four having signed the teetotal and twelve the anti-rum and tobacco pledge, leaving only nine pledge members.

At no place on this coast which Sister White has visited, has her testimony been more needed than here, and we trust that here it will accomplish no less good in the end. A very interesting Sabbath-school was held each Sabbath, nearly all on the ground taking part in it. The lessons were well learned considering the limited time devoted to their preparation.

At the close of Sister White’s remarks on the last Sabbath of the meeting, thirteen youth and children arose, expressing a desire to become Christians. A portion of these were baptized by Eld. Colcord Sunday night. Circumstances prevented quite a number of others from going forward at this time, who will do so at the first opportunity. The most of them started for the first time to serve God.

From eight hundred to one thousand persons were present each Sunday, and gave good attention to the word spoken. There was, also, quite an attendance from outside, every evening. We trust that much good will be the result of this meeting.