Earlier text: THE POVERTY OF THE POPEA CAMP-MEETING IN NORTHERN MISSOURI.
By George I. Butler
After carefully considering the condition of the cause here, and consulting with many of the brethren in this section, we have concluded it would be well to close up the tent season with a camp-meeting and a general gathering of the friends of the cause in Northern and Central Missouri, and as many others as choose to come. On account of the extreme wet weather, the hurry of planting, and the bad roads, our camp-meeting was very small last June. Many circumstances had a tendency to make it a season of great anxiety and perplexity, though we feel, on the whole, it was a profitable meeting. But very few, comparatively of the friends of the cause were present in this section. Past failures of crops made it very hard to obtain means with which to go. This fall things will be much more favorable. Crops are quite good; fruit and grain quite plenty. We greatly need a stirring and inspiring meeting to rouse our dormant energies, quicken our zeal, and to bring into our hearts more of the religion of Jesus. We are suffering greatly because of our lack of these good things. The reports are most inspiring. In most parts of the field, the cause is advancing as never before. This is soul-cheering. What are the causes which hinder its progress in Missouri? We want to tell the people what the causes are, that a better state of things may be reached. And here comes the difficulty. There are few large churches in this Conference. But many little companies and lone families are scattered here and there, and it would take six months to visit all these singly. It is very important, therefore, to have a large meeting, where many of these can be brought together and hear the stirring message that God has given for these last days. These little companies and lone Sabbath-keepers greatly need such help; the cause in Northern Missouri needs it; and if God's good providence will permit, we will have such a meeting. The Prairie Valley church, the largest and strongest in the Conference, have generously offered to supply all the feed for teams for our brethren who come from a distance, and to care for those who may need care. They have also offered to bring those who come on the railroad to the place of meeting. The season will be rather late, and the nights may be cool. It will be safest to have the meeting near a large church, so that if the weather should be bad provision could be made for the comfort of the feeble. We have therefore concluded to have the camp-ground on the place of Bro. Mallory, where meetings have been held before. This meeting will be held mainly to benefit our people, and to encourage the hearts of the scattered ones, who have not the opportunity often of hearing preaching. We cannot now announce the exact time for this meeting, as we cannot tell when we can have the tent; but it will not be far from the first of October. Let all of our brethren remember this is to be a camp-meeting, not merely a tent-meeting. Many of the Prairie Valley church will camp on the ground. We want to see a general rally of our brethren through all the central and northern parts of the Conference, and as many others as can consistently come. We expect this will be much the largest camp-meeting ever held in the State. The season of the year will be favorable; the weather and roads in this section are usually good at this time; farm work will not be driving; and the people need a general gathering. It will be the time for a general quarterly meeting of the Tract and Missionary Society; and we want to take a new start in this important work. Come, brethren and sisters in Missouri, make your plans to attend this meeting. Break up your old habits of staying at home, and rally anew to the work. Let us pray to God mightily to raise the cloud that has so long hung over this great State. Let us come determined to drink anew at the fountain of truth. The Lord is coming. The work is advancing. Let us not lag behind. More next week. GEO. I. BUTLER, Pres. Mo. Conf. BAPTISMAL SCENE AT THE NEW ENGLAND CAMP-MEETING.
By Stephen Nelson Haskell
Language would fail to give a correct description of the baptism on Monday P. M., Aug. 27. Imagine yourself on the western bank of the broad Merrimac river, while the tide is receding. On your left, a short distance up the river, is seen the city of Haverhill, with its towering spires, while upon the right lies the quiet village of Groveland. Before you is a boat landing, some ten rods from the shore, to which it is connected by a narrow walk. A steamer lies at this landing, upon which are hundreds of passengers, waiting to witness the baptism. A few rods farther to the right a vessel has anchored for the same purpose. There are also three fishermen’s boats filled with interested spectators. The beach, about fifty feet wide, is thronged with people of both sexes, kept back by the efficient police. Back of this beach rises a bank sixty feet high. The side is covered with people both sitting and standing, who keep their places with some difficulty on the steep, grassy bank. The summit is crowned by a solid line of spectators. All is quiet; no sound of human voice is heard, save that of the administrator of the rite, and the song of praise that bursts out occasionally from hearts softened by this impressive scene. The administrator solemnly leads one after another into the still, smooth water, where they are buried in the liquid grave. There goes the man whose head has blossomed for the grave, whose years have reached three score and ten. And there goes the rosy child of scarcely ten summers, while the choir sing, “Let youth in its freshness and bloom come.” Young ladies and gentlemen, and those of middle life,—persons of all ages and conditions of life, to the number of 39 persons,—follow the example of their divine Lord, and are buried in baptism. The scene was more affecting from the fact that one year ago that same week, in the same place, the same administrator had baptized 3 persons; and many of those who were now baptized were members of the same families. This evinces how great is the influence of a true Christian life over the household. The water was remarkably clear and still, and among all the number immersed, there was no symptom of strangling, or other unpleasant demonstrations. All passed off peacefully, and solemnly. Not a sneer or jest was seen or heard in all that vast assembly upon the land and water. God was there; and the spirit of the Judgment seemed to rest upon the people. At the close of the service, when the benediction had been pronounced, they quietly dispersed, with as much solemnity and decorum as if they had been attending a funeral. To Brethren in Kansas.
By J. Lamont
Dists. Nos. 9, 10, and 13, Kansas Tract Society, attention! Brethren and sisters, have you seen the appointment in this week's paper for your general meeting? Will you be there? Will you bring your children and unconverted friends with you? Shall we have a good meeting, and receive a rich blessing for our own souls? And shall the meeting be a means through which the Lord can bless others? “And they all with one consent began to make excuses. The first said,” etc. Have you too much land, or too many cattle? Are you the men here spoken of? I think not. When the people had “a mind to work,” the broken-down walls of Jerusalem were soon rebuilt. We must build the wall around God’s precious present truth for these last days. Have we not “a mind to work”? The fall and winter, the best seasons of all the year for our work, are just before us. There is a great work to be done; and it can and will be done, if we, in the strength and wisdom of the Lord, lay hold of it. We wish this meeting to be first, a profitable season to those who attend. Secondly, we wish to plan the T. and M. work for the fall and winter in these districts. Thirdly, to determine where ministerial labor can be expended with the best prospects of success. J. LAMONT. DANVERS, MASS.
By C. W. Stone
The good work still continues, and though a large camp-meeting held by the Methodists has been in progress four miles from here, during the past week, yet our tent has been well filled all the time. Thursday evening, Aug. 23, the tent was used by the Danvers Reform Club for a temperance mass meeting. Mr. E. A. Morse, of Canton, near Boston, the proprietor of the “Rising Sun Stove Polish” I think, a man who has sat in the legislature of the State, a man of means, influence, and culture, delivered an address. The meeting was well advertised, and the tent was crowded full, with about two hundred outside—our common number, in fact. The address was of a very lively nature, full of sharp points and good illustrations. We were glad to hear him speak of tobacco-using as one of the chief stepping stones to drunkenness, and express his convictions that tobacco-using temperance men, and Christians praying through tobacco-stained lips, are inconsistencies. Last Sabbath forenoon, thirty-three expressed their mind to keep the Sabbath. We know of about forty who are decided. Sunday evening, Eld. Canright spoke upon the mark of the beast. He had great freedom, and the warning message seemed to confirm those who had decided, and to help others to decide. Eld. C. has spoken the truth with great plainness. Last evening, sister White came from the Groveland camp-ground, and spoke to the people here. A shower lasted until meeting time, but the people would come, as Eld. Canright had given the appointment the day before; and our tent was soon filled and surrounded, as usual. Sister White addressed the people for seventy minutes on the duty of loving God with all the heart. Though worn and weary, and not yet recovered from her severe cold, her weariness left her, and her voice became clear, while she held the audience in deep stillness in and around the tent from first to last. The rain ceased, the clouds dispersed, and the stars shone forth brightly. The result is good. People to-day express great satisfaction with the testimony she bore. Eld. Canright has sold a large number of Bibles, which is good evidence of the power of the truth. We have taken up a collection every Sunday evening. These, with donations received, amount to $62. The people want to pay something, and they are so accustomed to seeing the contribution box come around every time they go to church that one very aptly remarked, “We shall begin to think these are not religious meetings if you do not take up a collection before long.” Smethport, Pa., Tent No 4.
By J. G. Saunders
We came to McKean Co., Pa., pitched our tent in a farming community three miles below Smethport, and held our first meeting, June 19, with a congregation of forty, which soon ran up to one hundred and fifty. During the week, we had from sixty to one hundred. Those that came seemed deeply interested. Fifteen decided that the Sabbath of the Lord was binding, and they were under obligations to keep it. We received strong invitations to come to Smethport, with the tent. This we concluded to do. The interest here was greater and the attendance larger, averaging from one hundred to two hundred and fifty. Here we had no disturbance. Twelve pledged themselves to keep the commandments, and a greater number acknowledge the force of our arguments, and say they believe we are right. Among them are the best lawyers in the town, and also doctors. An infidel offered to give us a building lot on which to erect a meeting-house; another man would give $50 in work on it, and so on. Smethport is the county seat of McKean Co., and the inhabitants are good and intelligent. If a good, efficient laborer should come here, one that has had experience in the work of the message, by the help of God he might raise up a large church. We closed our meetings here the 25th inst., by forming a class of twenty-three Sabbath-keepers within a distance of three and one-half miles. Five of the above number belonged to the Port Allegany church. Some of those that have taken their stand will have sore persecutions for a while, and they need the prayers of God's dear children. Bro. Geo. D. Ballou and wife left here August 17, for N. Y. And I go to Norwich, ten miles from here. INDIANA
By S. H. Lane; A. W. Bartlett; L. Caldwell
FROM the Kokomo Camp-meeting we came immediately to Darlington, a town containing three hundred inhabitants, located eight miles west of Thorntown. We have pitched the tent in this place, that we might assist the Sabbath-keepers at Thorntown as well as preach the truth to this people; for we realize that much is lost by not following up our work, no matter how well begun. Our congregations have increased from eighty to three hundred, with an average of two hundred in attendance. The interest is good, and we feel encouraged to believe that a good work will be done here. May the Spirit of God accompany the word spoken. S. H. Lane.
A. W. Bartlett.
L. Caldwell. NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA.
By B. L. Whitney; M. H. Brown
Wellsville, N. Y., Tent No. 1.
As mentioned in our last report, on Tuesday evening we reviewed Eld. Bradley’s discourse on the sleep of the soul. The tent was filled, though there was meeting in three of the churches at the time, and the entire congregation gave the closest attention for one hour and forty minutes, while we replied to his arguments and brought out the plain testimony of the Scriptures on this important question. The fact that we entirely avoided any reference to his ungentlemanly personalities had a very favorable influence upon the minds of the people generally, and has helped to give us the respect of the community. There is a deep interest here, which is, we believe, increasing. We have good congregations every evening, though of course not as large as at first. Some have commenced to keep the Sabbath, and many are convicted on this point whom we believe will yet take their stand with us. The spiritualists have been making some efforts of late in the vicinity, and a meeting in the Opera House is announced for one evening of this week. What the influence will be we cannot tell, but we pray that God may overrule for the advancement of his truth. B. L. WHITNEY. M. H. BROWN. We have preached here thirty-six times. There are now, Aug. 24, over twenty keeping the Sabbath. The interest is widespread, and there is a prospect of a large work being done here. We are visiting the people, and praying with them at their homes. We have good courage, and our faith is strong. We claim the promise made by the church at our camp-meeting,87 that the laborers should be upheld by their prayers. J. H. COOK.
L. D. SANTEE. Five weeks ago Eld. Pardee Butler (Disciple) sent a notice to our church that he would preach to us on Sabbath, Aug. 18, to show us the folly of bearing the old Jewish yoke of bondage—the Sabbath—if we would give him the use of the house we occupy. We decided to let him make the attempt, and to have him reviewed by Bro. Smith Sharp. As the house was too small, a grove was cleared and seated, and a stand erected. The weather was fine. The attendance was large, there being at least four hundred present, among whom were several ministers of other churches, who took notes of both sermons. Eld. B. took the usual position taken by the Disciples, was very careful in dropping the moral law to have it fall as lightly as possible, and said one day had no pre-eminence above another, and that there was no Sabbath; and closed by announcing his next meeting on Lord’s day. Eld. Sharp followed after a half hour’s intermission. He spoke with much freedom, showing that the Sabbath was kept by God’s people from creation down to the exode. He showed a clear and unmistakable distinction between the two laws, one being perfect and the other imperfect. We are happy over the result, feeling that one more great victory is gained for God’s truth. Many of our Disciple brethren admit their complete discomfiture, and feel that they have gained nothing. We give God all the praise. “Holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” Heb. 12:14. Precious Jesus! Oh! like thee,
Pure and holy would I be;
Have thy graces in me shine,
Impress of thy love divine. O thou love-inspiring Guest,
Come, and reign within my breast.
Come, and cleanse me from all sin;
Let thy heavenly radiance in. Let me feel thy presence sweet,
While I worship at thy feet.
Every day and every hour,
Let me feel thy wondrous power. Let me sink into thy will,
All thy righteous law fulfill,
Like my Saviour, meek and mild,
Holy, just, and undefiled. While I tread life's thorny way,
Love thee more from day to day;
Then my Lord will take me home
When the welcome morn shall come. Home, to dwell among the blest,
Where with Jesus we shall rest,
Taste the heavenly bliss so sweet,
Cast our crowns at his dear feet. Soon we'll reach the golden shore,
Be with with Christ forevermore;
Loud the songs of victory sing,
Alleluia to our King. MOUNDVILLE, MO.
By J. G. Wood; D. W. Reavis
We commenced meetings at this place the 24th inst. and have given eleven discourses. The congregations had been large for a country village. The people are very sociable, and seem to be interested. Last Sabbath, while holding social meeting with the brethren from the Drywood and Nevada churches, the tent was blown down by a severe storm, resulting, however, in no serious injuries. We feel our dependence upon God, and desire to be remembered at the throne of grace. J. G. Wood.
D. W. Reavis. KANSAS
By J. Lamont; Geo. Kennedy
North Otter, Greenwood Co.
We closed our meetings at Valley about two weeks ago, and moved the tent to this place. Some of the best families in the Valley neighborhood have taken hold of the present truth. One of us has attended the Sabbath meetings there each Sabbath since the tent was removed. The interest at North Otter is good. We are now on the Sabbath question. Quite a number believe that the seventh day is the Sabbath, and one family kept it as such on its last recurrence. Our P. O. address is Eureka, Greenwood Co. J. Lamont. Geo. Kennedy. TEXAS TENT.
By R. M. Kilgore
We are still at Cleburne. Have now held three Sabbath meetings. At the last, sixty-five persons were present. Several who have just begun to keep the Sabbath took part with us. The Spirit of the Lord was present. Many were affected to tears. About thirty are now keeping the Sabbath and turning away from their sins, and some are seeking the Lord for the first time in their lives. The opposition against us is strong, and every effort is made to scare the people away from the tent. The best arguments they have are brought to bear against us, such as, “He is a Yankee;” “he has come here to preach nigger equality;” etc. While some of the ministers are preaching such tidings, we are preaching an entirely different gospel. Let God be thanked. AFTER our good quarterly meeting at Soliloquy, I pitched the tent at Front Royal, Warren Co., where I remained six weeks. The congregation was fair most of the time, and many seemed convinced of the truth; but the world has such a hold upon them that only a few promised to obey. There were three or four, however, who thought they could endure being looked upon as singular, for the truth’s sake. One was baptized. We hope they may so adorn their profession as to induce others who are friendly to unite with them in the service of God. J. O. CORLISS. The week just past has been full of interest to the cause of present truth in this place. Sunday we had another pleasant baptism, and next Sabbath we expect more to go forward. Last Sunday, at the close of a discourse on the mark of the beast, we asked how many were willing to obey the Lord and keep the Sabbath, when about sixty arose; and from what we can learn, some more than fifty adults have decided to keep the Sabbath. Never before has this community been so wonderfully wrought up. While I am writing, I suppose the College bell at Battle Creek is ringing, to call together the students, and I expected to be there, but cannot leave this work till next week. There are many very inviting fields of labor in this portion of the State. Will those indebted to me for books please remit to Battle Creek, which will be my address until further notice? J. B. FRISBIE
By J. B. Frisbie
I am still holding meetings three and four miles east of Adrian. The interest to hear is good, but the school has commenced, and we cannot have the school-house any longer than this week; but another house one mile from that can be had, which will seat about one-half the congregation. We organized a church of nine members last Sabbath, Aug. 25. I have preached twice in the first-day Adventist church two miles north of here, on the law and the Sabbath. Eld. Chase, jun., is to reply to me next Friday. Some are stirred up. Blockville Tent No. 3 Reports Baptisms and Growing Interest
By Charles B. Reynolds
Blockville, N. Y., Tent No. 3.
Sabbath, Aug. 25, had a deeply interesting meeting at Jamestown. The work is prospering here despite some bitter opposition. We had a most happy, solemn season at the water, where six—heads of families—were baptized. Several others desire to go forward, who, we hope, will be fully prepared at the next opportunity. We have never had better interest than here at Blockville. Our special afternoon meetings on Tuesday and Thursday proved so encouraging that we have decided to trust God for strength, and have appointed them for every afternoon. Last Thursday afternoon, a dismal rainy day, forty persons were present. Twenty-two testimonies were borne. Four grown persons and one little girl arose for prayers, and with tears avowed their determination to seek and obey the Lord. We had three large congregations Sunday. Some ladies walk three miles to attend our evening meetings. The people are all very kind to us. We have an organ, an organist, and a choir,—a very great help, and one for which we are exceedingly grateful. Several have already commenced to keep the Sabbath. Providence permitting, our first regular Sabbath meeting will be held Sept. 1. Bro. S. B. Craig is a great help and encouragement to me, not alone in prayer and counsel; for his care is unwearied, and by the faithful discharge of every duty and his willingness to help in every direction, he relieves me of much care and responsibility. Thanks, dear brethren and sisters, for your prayers; more than ever we need them. Tent Meetings at Mannsville, New York
By S. B. Whitney
Mannsville, N. Y., Tent No. 2.
The attendance here is good. On Sunday night last we had about four hundred out, and a good audience again last night. Have just introduced the Sabbath question, which we expect will excite still more interest. The brethren attend the meetings very generally, and supply us with everything we need for our comfort and convenience. S. B. WHITNEY. MAINE TENT.
By J. B. Goodrich
We took down our tent at Lovell, Aug. 6. All things considered, we thought it best, as Bro. Webber was called home on account of the death of his sister, and was taken sick himself, so that he could not return. I remained in this vicinity until the 20th. Two were baptized, and sixteen signed the covenant to keep all the commandments of God. We received by donations about forty dollars, and sold about twelve dollars' worth of books, tracts, and pamphlets. Many are convinced we have the truth, but how many will show their faith by their works yet remains to be seen. We still hope for others. Sickness kept many from attending our meetings. Aug. 21, Bro. Morton, Danscomb, Danielson, and the writer took a sail boat, and visited the Sabbath-keepers on an island about ten miles out from the city of Portland, who have embraced the truth from reading. The most of the brethren were away from home. We found ten adults and nine children keeping the Sabbath, who hold meetings every Sabbath evening and afternoon; they seemed firm in the truth, and of course they could tell why they were keeping the commandments of God, as they all embraced them by reading for themselves. Quite a number of them are intending to be at our camp-meeting. We also learned of five more on another island about five miles distant who have commenced to keep the Sabbath, and who meet on that day to worship the Lord of hosts, making twenty-four in all who have embraced the truth of late by reading. I was informed that Bro. Hersey, of Freeport, was down there about one year ago, and left a few tracts, “Which Day?” “Elihu,” and “Who Changed the Sabbath?” “Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days.” Truly the Lord is visiting the islands of the sea, and taking out a people for his name. Who can doubt but that this message is of God, when we see the rapid progress it is making among the people and nations of the earth? May the Lord help us to put away unbelief, and have faith that produces good works; for “faith without works is dead, being alone.” and also a good Bible-class started at Beldenville; and an interest in the third angel's message is being awakened for miles around. Pray for us, dear brethren, that the truth may shine gloriously forth in this place. W. B. Hill. I have been visiting the churches and the little bands of scattered ones. Attended the quarterly meeting at Sand Prairie, Richland Co., June 23. Then I visited the believers at Hundred Mile Grove, Mackford, Poy Sippi, Plainfield, Fremont, Black Creek, Duck Creek, and Oconto. The blessing of the Lord was with us at all these places; and the brethren and sisters seemed encouraged. Eleven were baptized. The scattered ones were strengthened. We feel to thank God for the good done. A part of those at Oconto came out under the labors of Bro. Enoch. I went to Pensaukee, which had been visited by a terrible storm. One of our sisters saw the storm coming, and prayed that herself and family might be protected. Something told her to take her children, and go out. She had but just left the house when it and the barn were torn all to pieces, and everything they had was carried away; but not one of the family was hurt. John Atkinson. Opposition against the truth is bursting forth on every side. At Beldenville, a Free-will Baptist minister is preaching against the Sabbath, with much bitterness. An Episcopal minister at River Falls has rallied to the support of the tottering Sunday, and is publishing articles in its defense in the Pierce County Herald; and next Sunday a Methodist minister speaks in opposition to the fourth commandment at Ellsworth. As Bro. Fulton is at home at present, it keeps me pretty busy to hold the fort at every point, but the good work goes steadily forward. We have now a good Sabbath-school and Bible-class at Ellsworth,