p. 398 | THE IOWA CAMP-MEETING by George I. Butler

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

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

THE IOWA CAMP-MEETING.

By George I. Butler

BY ELD. GEO. I. BUTLER.

This was the largest meeting ever held by S. D. Adventists in the State of Iowa, upwards of six hundred being encamped upon the ground. It was a most excellent meeting, and we think its influence will not soon be lost. The services commenced promptly Wednesday night, and our brethren were generally present. The business was attended to early, and was soon mostly completed. We were favored with pleasant weather, though we heard of heavy storms all around us.

Our ground was very favorably located near the outskirts of Des Moines, within the city limits. It had formerly been used as a fair-ground, and many of the buildings were of use to us, for lodging and stabling. The shade trees were mostly grand old elms, whose wide-spreading branches furnished abundant protection from storms and sun. Coon River, only a few rods distant, was convenient for baptism. For our people, Des Moines is the most central location in Iowa, and it is, perhaps, the most important railroad center in the State. Our brethren were so well pleased with the ground that they unanimously voted to hold their camp-meeting there again next year.

We were not permitted to enjoy the presence of Bro. and Sister White at this meeting, which was, no doubt, a disappointment to many. Eld. Corlies was the only one from abroad who participated in the preaching. He labored earnestly, and was a real help to our meetings. The preaching was close and pointed, and designed to correct the evils existing among us, some of which had been specially pointed out by testimony from the Lord. The importance of sustaining our institutions by our influence and means was dwelt upon, as well as the necessity of cherishing the light which God has been giving us as a people. An influence has been at work in our State to create questionings, murmurings, and doubt. The nature and tendency of this influence was faithfully pointed out, and this instruction seemed to be well received. God's blessing rested upon us.

Sabbath was spent by most of the ministers as a fast, so great was our anxiety for the Lord to come into our midst. From one hundred to one hundred and fifty came forward for prayers Sabbath afternoon, and the meetings in the tents afterward were excellent. On Sunday our new tent, 60x90, was well filled four times with most attentive audiences, and many stood outside. I think I never saw better attention to the word spoken. Some were very anxious that the tent should remain in Des Moines after the meeting, that a course of lectures might be given. Excellent impressions were made upon many minds, and as the people from the city returned home their conversation was very different from that which occupied them in the morning when they came.

Quite a large sum was raised in money or pledges for the Sanitarium and College, as well as for the tent and camp-meeting fund. Our brethren manifested quite a liberal spirit, which called to our mind the former days when means were raised for our institutions. As free-will offerings were made for the cause of God, his Spirit rested upon us, and many talked of the good meeting we were having.

Nearly all remained till the close of the meeting. On Monday a good move was made to complete the work begun on the Sabbath. Many came forward for prayers and took their stand for the Lord. Forty-three were baptized in the river by Elds. Corlies and Farnsworth. That night we made a special effort in the temperance work. Eld. Corlies gave a temperance lecture, after which we had a canvass of the audience for signers to the pledges. About fifty new names were obtained by this effort, though most present had signed it before. Our parting meeting, Tuesday morning, was an excellent one; frequently four or five were on their feet at once, waiting to speak. The people went home cheerful and happy in the Lord.

We shall probably have five tents in the field this season, and we greatly hope God will bless our efforts for good. Our Conference is in a sound condition financially; we have a good State, an intelligent population; we ought to see many brought into the fold of Christ this year. May God grant us success.