CAMP-MEETING AT DES MOINES, IOWA
By George I. Butler
FROM June 9-14, the annual camp-meeting of the Seventh-day Adventists of the State of Iowa, was held upon the new fair ground about three miles west of the center of the city. Between five hundred and six hundred camped upon the ground. It was a beautiful location for such a meeting, the place where the large State fairs are held, at the capital of the State. A fine grove, green sod, commodious buildings, and beautiful scenery were some of the pleasant circumstances connected with our meeting. It was probably the largest gathering of those who observe the Sabbath of the Lord ever assembled in the State of Iowa.296 Eld. Uriah Smith, one of the editors of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, came Thursday afternoon. Eld. White and wife and Eld. Haskell, came Friday afternoon, so we had an abundance of able help from abroad. The brethren and sisters were greatly rejoiced to meet these faithful laborers and leading workers in the cause, and listen to their words of instruction. The preaching pertained almost entirely to practical instruction in true godliness and holy living and the importance of working in the Master's vineyard, working for him who has done so much for us. The dangers of worldliness, pride, the gratification of appetite and passion, and the indulgence of a spirit of fault-finding, murmuring, and gossiping, the evils with which the Christian world is cursed, were plainly set forth. These truths affected the hearts of many present. The last days are specially perilous because of the prevalence of these sins which eat like a canker and destroy their spirituality. On the Sabbath, quite a large number came forward for prayers, and meetings were held after the preaching service in the tents, till nearly night. These meetings were profitable. On Sunday, the weather was very threatening in the forenoon, and in the afternoon we had one of the severest storms I ever witnessed on a camp-ground. Several tents were blown down, and it was with difficulty that our large tent 60-90, was kept up. The ground was drenched with water. But God mercifully preserved us from serious damage. In some places in the State it took the form of a tornado, and great loss of property resulted. Of course this hindered the outside attendance, which otherwise would have numbered thousands. Some came out in spite of the bad weather. On Monday we commenced in the morning in the early meeting to talk of the cause and its institutions and the importance of our people sustaining them. As the meeting progressed, the good Spirit of our God came in, and our hearts were made to feel light in the Lord. At nine A. M., as we met for social meeting, we had a most precious season. Sister White was led out in speaking, and the blessing of Heaven came down upon us. It was by far the best meeting of all. The hearts of the whole congregation were moved. Backsliders who had almost wholly given up, wept like children and broke down before God in penitence and confessed their sins and returned to their allegiance. "The hearts of the fathers were turned to their children and the children's hearts to their fathers." It was a precious meeting indeed. It continued right along and swallowed up the time allotted for the usual preaching exercises, till afternoon. Between one and two hundred went forward for prayers, and many precious testimonies were given. Afternoon, after a discourse on baptism, twenty-six were buried with the Lord in the miniature lake upon the grounds, by Elders Washburn and Farnsworth. Camp broke up early next morning with a good social meeting and the ordination of our beloved brother, I. J. Hankins, to the work of the gospel ministry. The Lord witnessed to this act by his Spirit. And so our meeting closed. Our brethren went home encouraged in the Lord. Our ministers went forth with good hope to labor with the tents for the conversion of souls. Six tents will run this season in the State. May God bring many to his truth. Our Tract and Missionary work stands the best financially it ever did. The debt of several hundreds of dollars which has hung over us for years, is all paid and a balance of hundreds in the treasury to be used in the good work. The districts are mostly out of debt. Truly we have cause to thank God and take courage.