It is necessary to begin work on the Ohio camp-ground, Monday morning, Aug. 26, in order to have all in readiness by Wednesday evening, the time appointed for the meeting to begin. We do not want to be behind in the preparations this year. In order to have everything in complete readiness, we call for volunteers. We expect the camp-meeting committee will all be on the ground Sunday night, ready to begin business early Monday morning. They must not be left to do this work alone. I have written many personal appeals, and now make a general call. Churches, send representatives to assist us. Scattered brethren, come and assist us. Several teams will be wanted. The Conference is not able to hire; there are no brethren at Tiffin. Should be on the ground Sunday night or Monday, if possible.
Let all those who can come with teams, or to assist in any way, write to me immediately.
H. A. St. John.
Clyde, Sandusky Co., Ohio.
IOWA AND NEBRASKA CAMP-MEETING.
By E. W. Farnsworth
THE Iowa camp-meeting will be held at Oskaloosa, Mahaska Co., about one mile south-west from the depot, on the road to Beacon. As the time for this meeting is drawing near, there are a few things to which we would like to call the attention of our brethren. It is evident that this meeting will be an important one. Our Conference year has been longer than usual, consequently there will be much more business to attend to. We expect that Bro. Haskell will be present, so that our brethren may hope to receive much valuable instruction in all parts of the T. and M. work. This is greatly needed, and we believe all our brethren will avail themselves of the opportunity. We expect, also, that Bro. Butler will be there. And if Bro. and Sr. White feel that it is consistent with their many other burdens to stop with us on their way East, we most earnestly desire that they will do so. At our late quarterly meeting a resolution expressing this invitation was unanimously passed. In all probability our meeting will be longer this year than usual; either it will commence about Wednesday and close one week from that day, or it will commence Friday and hold over two Sabbaths. We will speak definitely of this soon.
Our camp-meeting in Nebraska will be held at Seward, Seward Co. This is thought to be the most central point for all our people in that State. We request Brn. S. Rider, from Blue Valley, A. J. Cudney, from Seward, and Bro. Williams, from Weeping Water, to act as camp-meeting committee for this place. Our meeting in Nebraska will be an important one for the cause there, and we earnestly desire to see a general attendance from all parts of the State. This meeting will commence Thursday morning, Sept. 26, and close Tuesday morning, Oct. 1.
We feel that we cannot urge our brethren too strongly to attend these meetings; they are becoming more and more important to our people. And we see plainly that those who take the most pains to attend these meetings, are, as a class, making far greater advancement than those who do not attend. We hope our brethren and sisters will make a greater effort than ever to bring their unconverted children, and their interested neighbors and friends. Every year at the close of the meeting we hear our people saying, “I wish my children, or I wish my neighbors had been here. I am sure they would have been converted,” and probably they would. Come, dear brethren and sisters, and bring those you wish to see converted. We shall not have many more camp-meetings on earth; we need to improve the present time. We hope the General Conference will not leave us without help in these Western meetings. We trust our people all over the Conference will make these meetings a subject of earnest prayer. We shall need a large measure of God’s Spirit with us. We hope to see a humbling of hearts before God by all of our people.
We shall have a large assortment of books at all these meetings, both for the T. and M. society and for private sales.
E. W. FARNSWORTH.
OUR CAMP-MEETING.
By A. S. Hutchins
As the time is very near for the annual camp-meeting gathering of our brethren and sisters in the State of Vermont, we are led to ask, Are we all preparing to enjoy this privilege? We may not expect to see every Sabbath-keeper in the State present on this occasion; but may we not reasonably look for a larger number of those whose hearts beat in love and gratitude to God for light upon the last message of mercy, than has attended any previous meeting of the kind in this State?
We enjoyed a very precious season in camp-meeting last year. Those who were not present certainly sustained a great loss; and will it not be so this year? Reports from other States, so far, show an increasing interest in camp-meetings. God is blessing his people and adding precious ones to the number of believers.
The meeting is to open Sept. 11, on the same day of the month that it closed last year. The time of that meeting afforded the most favorable weather that we could have had. At the time of our meeting next month, the summer will be past, and the hurry of harvesting will be over. God has crowned the labors of the husbandman with success, and, as a people, we have enjoyed a good measure of health; and shall we not manifest the gratitude of our hearts to him by assembling ourselves on this occasion to worship the Lord of hosts together?
Information about tickets next week.
A. S. Hutchins.
To Churches in Ohio.
By H. A. St. John
The Ohio Conference, to be held in connection with the camp-meeting, is soon to come. There are certain matters of business that you should attend to without fail before that Conference convenes. Please listen to a reminder:—
1. Elect your delegates, one for twenty members or under, and one for every additional fifteen members.
2. See that each delegate has proper credentials, furnished by the clerk.
3. Make, and bring, a Church Report.
4. Make, and bring, a Financial Report and Pledge.
5. Organized churches not connected with the Conference should bring a written appeal for admission into the Conference.
6. Unorganized companies of Sabbath-keepers should elect a delegate to present their condition and needs.
7. Appeals for change of church name, or anything else, should be in writing.
8. All reports, and documents of whatever nature, should be put into the hands of the Conference secretary, E. H. Gates, as soon as brought upon the ground.
9. If no one can come from your place, send reports, appeals, etc., by mail, in good season, to E. H. Gates, Tiffin, Ohio.
10. If any lack the proper blank credentials or reports, write me immediately, at Clyde, Sandusky Co., Ohio, stating what is wanted, and how many.
11. Let all endeavor to pay up s. b., and let the treasurer bring the money to camp-meeting.
12. All who have pledged for tents are expected to pay at this meeting.
13. Church clerks, bring your church books to the Conference.
14. S. B. treasurers, bring your s. b. books to the Conference.
If Prof. C. W. Stone is with us, he will probably act as inspector of church records, and instructor of church officers.
Now that duty is plain before you, where will the failures be? H. A. St. John.
To the Ohio T. and M. Society.
By H. A. St. John
OUR next annual meeting is near at hand. Let there be a general rally of T. and M. workers.
It is expected that the State secretary will have a tent of his own on the ground, as recommended in the REVIEW.
District secretaries and church librarians should have their account books with them for reference.
Church librarians should make an inventory of the number and value of publications in their hands, and put it into the hands of the district secretary in season for a summary at the annual T. and M. meeting.
Come prepared to furnish yourselves with the new blank books arranged for the T. and M. society officers. We expect a supply for you.
We hope for the assistance of Bro. Haskell, who will inspect old books, and instruct in the use of the new. H. A. St. JOHN.
Tents For Camp-meeting.
By A. S. Hutchins
Could I hear from brethren who wish to rent tents at our camp-meeting at once, I could order some for that purpose. One friend, not a Sabbath-keeper, writes me that he wants a tent for himself and family, and wants it pitched and ready for use when he arrives. He says, “I want to be on time.” That is right.
Let every tent in the State come up to the meeting, and let as many as can, come prepared to accommodate those who have no tents. Souls are embracing the truth who will come to enjoy this precious season with us. Address me here fifteen days from date. A. S. HUTCHINS.
Marshfield, Vt., Aug. 8.
Request of Camp-meeting Committee.
As the time draws near for the eastern camp-meeting of Michigan, no doubt many are anxious to attend. Those not connected with us, as well as many of our brethren, are not able to furnish themselves with tents of their own; but if the committee were able to offer tents to rent at reasonable rates, the attendance would be much increased. Now to meet this want your committee request those who have family tents, and do not expect to attend, to kindly donate the use of them to the Conference for this meeting. Let those sending tents mark them plainly with full directions how and where to return them. Mark size of tent on outside. Those willing to comply with the above request, and also those wishing to rent tents, will please write immediately to Wm. Potter, Orion, Mich.
Those sending tents should write immediately, that we may know how to answer those wishing to rent. Ship the tents, without further notice, by freight, to Wm. Potter, Orion, Mich.
CAMP-MEETING COMMITTEE.
New England Camp-meeting.
By Stephen Nelson Haskell; C. W. Cummings; J. O. Tucker
The New England camp-meeting will be held at Shaw Sheen grove in Ballard Vale, Mass., on the Boston and Maine R. R., main line to Portland, Me., six miles from Lawrence and Lowell.
Those coming over the Boston and Albany R. R. will change cars at Worcester for Boston, and those coming through Concord and Manchester, N. H., will come through Lawrence. Those coming through Fitchburg will go through Boston, as the Stony Brook R. R., from Ayer to Lowell does not accept return tickets. Those coming from Providence and New Bedford will go to Lowell via the Boston, Clinton, and New Bedford R. R. Return tickets will be given over the above-mentioned roads via Boston to Worcester over the Worcester and Nashua R. R.; to Providence and New Bedford via Lowell; and to all points on the Boston and Maine R. R. The Boston, Lowell, and Nashua R. R. does not accept return tickets.
In Lowell and Boston passengers will have to change depots. The depots are about a quarter of a mile apart. Cars leave for the camp-ground from the Boston and Maine depot in both cities.
This will be the most important meeting ever held in New England. Eld. D. M. Canright and others from the West are expected. To all of our brethren we say, Come, and bring your tents. Each family should have a tent to accommodate its own members and others, but accommodations will be provided for such as are unable to procure them. Come, bringing your unconverted children and neighbors. We expect a general rally of all the friends of the cause in the New England Conference.
S. N. Haskell, N. E.
C. W. Cummings, Conf.
J. O. Tucker, Com.
Christ, the Foundation and Sanctuary of the Christian
CHRIST'S strength is the strength of the Christian. If we would stand, Christ must be our foundation; if we would be safe, Christ must be our sanctuary.
MINNESOTA
Sauk Center, Aug. 6.
Eight have signed the covenant, and we believe that several more are keeping the Sabbath, and will come out after a time. Last Sunday and evening, the Methodist minister gave two discourses upon the Sabbath, taking the ordinary course, yet finally telling his audience that Christ “never gave a command for keeping any Sabbath;” that there is not in the New Testament “a thus saith the Lord for a seventh-day Sabbath, nor a first-day Sabbath, nor any other Sabbath.” He then proceeded to establish a first-day Sabbath on the authority of Christ, the apostles, and the early fathers. Last evening we reviewed him at the tent, before about a hundred quiet and attentive listeners. His effort has helped us greatly.
Sunday afternoon, a gentleman from Chicago, apparently very intelligent and candid, came to our tent and said that he had met one of our brethren a few days before, and incidentally learned a little concerning us, and wishing to learn more, he came to us, as the representatives of our faith, to make inquiries for information. We spent an hour very pleasantly in giving him an outline of our position and the extent of our work, and gave him some reading matter. He appeared pleased with the interview, and seemed to be desirous to learn the truth in regard to our views, and what we are doing.
We shall remain here a few days, until the hurry of harvest is over, before we enter a new locality. D. P. Curtis. N. Battin.
Wasioja, Dodge Co., Aug. 5.
I have been laboring here and at Dodge Center for the last four weeks, visiting through the week and holding meetings on the Sabbath. I find quite a number of families that are deeply interested. The church has been strengthened, and others have accepted the faith. The church at Dodge Center now numbers forty members, who are earnest workers in the cause of God. A little more than one year ago the Concord church was re-organized at Dodge Center with seventeen members, who went63to work in earnest for the Master. They now see their numbers more than doubled, and the blessing of God rests upon them in an especial manner.
This church has adopted the “tithing system.” At the last quarterly meeting, their S. B. was all paid up and many of them had paid one or two quarters in advance. They have in their T. and M. department a good assortment of our publications, and are $25 or $30 ahead, and are entering into the V. M. work with a zeal that is truly commendable.
Of late their hearts have been made to rejoice by the manifestation in their midst of the healing power of God. The health of one of our sisters had been failing for some time, notwithstanding the treatment she received from the best physicians in the country; and it was apparent to all who knew her that unless the Lord should help she must soon go into the grave. At the close of the services, Sabbath afternoon, July 13, she called for the elders of the church and several of the brethren, and sisters, and friends, when prayer was offered in harmony with James 5:14, 15. The power of God came into our midst, the disease was rebuked, and the sister arose and praised God. The Lord blessed the elder of the church wonderfully, and we all felt that it was good to be there. A sister present who had been very feeble in health for a long time, but who entertained skeptical views in regard to the manifestation of the Spirit in these days, when she saw this manifestation of the power of God in our midst, threw away her skepticism, and immediately the blessing of the Lord rested upon her, and she was nearly overcome. The work of healing commenced with her also, and she was led to praise God for his goodness. Nor did the work stop here; a feeble brother received his share of the blessing, and of the healing power of God. I present this that others may take courage. The doers of the word, and not the hearers only, shall be blessed.
My heart is cheered, and I never felt more like consecrating myself to the work of the Lord than at the present time. I want to see God’s people come near to him by prompt obedience, that they may receive the blessing. Pray for us. L. H. Ellis.
Monticello and Sauk Rapids.
Sabbath and first-day, July 6 and 7, I spent with the church at Monticello. Seven were added to the church, and all pledged on S. B. The Lord was with us.
Aug. 3, I was with the church at Sauk Rapids. The brethren present took new courage, and intend to do more for the cause in the future.
Since camp-meeting, labor has been performed and meetings held, with fair interest, in the vicinity of Monticello, and at Brockway. Subscriptions have been obtained for two copies of the Signs. H. W. Babcock.
MAINE TENT.
By J. B. Goodrich; S. J. Hersum
East Washburn, July 29.
Since our last report, the interest has steadily increased. Some have come from eight to fourteen miles to attend our meetings, and after hearing two or three discourses have returned home to keep the Lord’s Sabbath. Thus our tent-meeting here has opened a large field for future labor.
We have quite thoroughly canvassed the Sabbath and law questions, and so far as we are able to learn about twenty-two have decided to keep all the commandments of God. We remain here another week, and hope to see others start in the service of God. The people have come six miles on Sunday, when it rained hard, to attend our meetings; and when we expected to see but very few out, there were two hundred. But Satan will try to hinder all he can from obeying the truth.
Our brethren in this county, who so liberally took hold to buy the tent, are seeing some additions to their numbers. Pray for us. J. B. GOODRICH. S. J. HERSUM.
MICHIGAN
Allegan and Douglas.
On Sabbath, July 6, and Sabbath and Sunday, July 13 and 14, I was with the church at Allegan. On the latter of these two days, the regular quarterly tract and missionary meeting was held. The attendance was large when we take into consideration the fact that the meeting took place in the midst of the harvest. Eld. U. Smith was present, and Bro. J. M. Baker was ordained elder of the church. The labors of Bro. Smith were appreciated, and added greatly to the interest and profit of the meeting.
On Friday, July 19, I went to Douglas, where I spent the Sabbath and Sunday. The church in that place is small, but active and well united.
Just as we were getting on board the train on Monday to depart for home, we found that one of our sixty-foot tents was in the depot, which Eld. E. R. Jones then intended to pitch in Douglas immediately. We trust that his labors will be fruitful of good results.
W. H. LITTLEJOHN.
Tent No. 1, Douglas.
We are now in the midst of the Sabbath question. Our congregations are perceptibly smaller, yet a goodly number give evidence of being deeply interested. Some who never kept the Sabbath before met with us last Sabbath, and took part in our meeting and asked to be remembered in our prayers. We are fully persuaded others will keep next Sabbath. Have sold several dollars' worth of books. Last Monday night at midnight a squall of wind struck our tent, and drove in one side. The little damage it did us was quickly repaired, and we held meeting on Tuesday evening as usual.
We have hope and courage.
E. R. JONES. E. P. DANIELS.
Tent No. 2, Greenville, Aug. 9.
Our meetings at Greenville still continue, with some encouraging features. Our congregations average about the same. The interest is apparently deepening. Some have decided for the truth; others are convinced; many are investigating.
Our courage is good, and our hope is in God. Brethren, pray for us.
D. H. LAMSON. H. M. KENYON.
Romeo.
We have been here six weeks and have had a very even interest. On favorable evenings we have seldom had less than one hundred and fifty hearers, while our Sunday evening audiences have numbered nearly five hundred. We have preached the truth very plainly, and so far as we can learn nearly all who have attended our meetings are convinced; but they are very slow to decide to obey. A few, however, have taken a stand for the truth, and we have strong hopes of others. We have had a pleasant visit from Brn. Fargo and Potter, who think we should remain here until the time of the camp-meeting.
We have had no public opposition so far. Perhaps such opposition would be an advantage to the work.
We may fail to raise up a church here, but do not feel clear to leave at the present stage of the interest.
Brethren, we desire your prayers.
E. B. AND E. S. LANE.
Pontiac, Aug. 5.
We pitched our tent in this place, July 16. The heat was so intense we delayed our meetings until the evening of the 20th, in the meantime advertising, and making preparations for a successful campaign. Our congregations have ranged from two hundred to five hundred, and seem very much interested. We have partially canvassed the prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation, also the life and death question, and yesterday we introduced the subject of the Sabbath. Our arguments were listened to very attentively.
We have sold about twenty dollars' worth of books, and received many favors from friends. Ministers are very quiet, but advertise that they will make everything plain at some future time.
Last Sabbath was a good day for the brethren at Birmingham. About forty were present at the meeting, and many good testimonies were borne; they are all of good courage, although persecution meets them on every hand. We meet with them every Sabbath.
J. O. CORLISS. M. S. BURNHAM.
NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA.
Tent No. 2, Newfane, N. Y., Aug. 6.
The interest here is greater than at any former time. Sabbath and Sunday, the Free Methodist man held a grove meeting two or three miles from here. Saturday evening he spoke in the Baptist church against the Sabbath, and gave out that he would preach on the immortality theme in the grove the next day. Great expectations had been raised on his head as a learned and able man, but these subjects have been canvassed so thoroughly that his efforts were looked upon as a failure by the majority. In his discourse in the grove he stated that all our positions were sophisms and easily demolished, but when I offered my tracts at the close of the meeting, the people flocked around me and wanted them faster than I could hand them out. Sunday evening I reviewed his Sabbath discourse. Had a large crowd, as usual, and the truth gained a most complete victory. Several more have embraced the Sabbath.
Eleven opposition discourses have been given every one of which has resulted in a victory for the truth, and we hope the opposition has ceased, so that we can give our attention more directly to bringing to the point of decision those who are interested. The sympathy of almost the entire community is with us.
Have started a subscription for a meeting-house, and obtained about $1200, and intend to go right to work on it.
Some will be especially gratified to learn that Eld. Williams, a first-day Adventist minister whom I met in Mannsville a year ago, and with whom I have since had some correspondence has come out decidedly on the message and begun to preach it. He is calling for a tent-meeting in the vicinity where he lives, and by invitation has come to spend a few days with me in the tent. S. B. WHITNEY.
Tent No. 3, East Martinsburg, N. Y.
We have been here two weeks, and the interest has been quite good.
Our interest at South Harrisburgh is still on the increase. Eleven adults, persons of good standing in the community, have decided to keep the Sabbath, and no doubt others will join them soon. J. WILBUR. Aug. 6. A. P. BUMP.
Tent No. 6, Lander, Warren Co., Pa.
We have now been here over two Sabbaths. Our congregations have been good from the first, and since we commenced to speak on the Sabbath question, they have increased, until last (Sunday) evening our tent was well filled. God is greatly blessing us with freedom in presenting the truth and in exhorting to obedience, for which we feel to praise and magnify his holy name. Evidently the enemy is stirred, though we have no open opposition.
We expect a good work will be wrought here, and ask the prayers of God's people that God in all things may be glorified and honored. FRANK PEABODY. Aug. 5. J. Q. FOY.
Tent No. 10, Coudersport, Pa., Aug. 5.
We moved our tent to this place, July 31. At first we engaged the court-house square for our tent, but some were very strongly opposed to having our tent there, and we were told to find another place. We did so, and although it is a little one side, it is a beautiful spot. The change has created some excitement, and, on the whole, rather worked in our favor.
The people seem to be really interested. Last evening, although there were services in the other churches, our tent was nearly full.
Sabbath, we met with the friends at Oswayo. The meeting was an encouraging one. There were forty present. Some more had decided to keep the Sabbath. A Bible-class was organized. We also design to organize a Sabbath-school.
We sold, during our meetings at that place, between eighteen and twenty dollars’ worth of books, and obtained eleven subscriptions to our different periodicals.
Bro. A. H. Hall is spending a few days with them there. E. W. WHITNEY. H. E. ROBINSON.
Tent No. 5, Ludlowville, N. Y., Aug. 8.
The interest here is now better than at any previous time. We have left all opposing influences to kill themselves, and have tried to preach the plain truth. The result is, that the truth has gained the confidence of the best cultured minds in the place, and already ten have expressed an intention to keep the Sabbath, and we have hopes of others.
Last evening a thoroughly educated Presbyterian lady, who has cared for many of our wants, gave us five dollars toward our expenses, and a subscription paper for our benefit is being circulated by a lawyer whose wife and daughter have begun to observe the Sabbath. Favorable notices of our work are appearing in the Ithaca papers. GEO. D. BALLOU. J. E. ROBINSON.
GOOD LIFE.
By Eliza H. Morton
Trusting in Jesus the Master,
Loving the King;
Hoping there's rest in the future,
Joyously sing.
Living with purposes holy,
Praying for strength;
Into the “mansions of beauty,”
Enter at length.
ELIZA H. MORTON.
Allen's Corner, Me.
IOWA
By G. V. Kilgore
Ogden, Aug. 5.
OUR meetings in this place have closed. Sixty-seven discourses have been given. Twenty-two have signed the covenant. Five of these were obeying the truth when we came here, nine weeks ago. Our tent went to Panora, Guthrie county, last week, and I staid to hold a few more meetings. We enjoyed a good meeting and Sabbath-school on Sabbath.
My address will now be Panora, Guthrie county, Iowa. G. V. KILGORE.
VERMONT
By G. W. Page
Tent No. 1, West Townshend.
TENT No. 1 is pitched in a pleasant location one mile west of the village of West Townshend. Our first meetings here were held on Aug. 4, and were well attended. Over two hundred were present in the P. M. A shower in the evening prevented a full attendance, but about fifty were out. Tracts are taken freely. The people aid in singing, and are kind in many other ways. We hope for a good work here.
G. W. PAGE.
ILLINOIS
By R. F. Andrews
Belvidere, Aug. 7.
Our tent-meeting here is creating quite an interest among the people. The congregations range from one hundred and fifty to six hundred. Our location, the beautiful city park, is all we could desire. The people evidently come to hear, and some of them are deeply interested. We have strong hopes that some seed will fall into good ground. Bro. R. Vickey is with me, and makes an excellent tent master. We ask the prayers of God’s children.
R. F. ANDREWS.
HORSENS, DENMARK.
By John G. Matteson
We have during the past week held meetings in the vicinity of Nortvig, west of Horsens. Six souls have covenanted to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. They were organized into a small church, and Bro. Niels J. Pedersen was ordained elder. Systematic benevolence was arranged. They are rather poor, and cannot contribute much; but God blessed our willing offerings according to the means with which he had entrusted us.
We felt that the Spirit of the Lord was near, and thanked God for the blessing he bestowed upon us, when celebrating the ordinances of the Lord’s house.
Sunday evening I held a meeting at Bjerre, south of Horsens. Here I found a few who liked to hear, and investigate God’s blessed truth. The next day I conversed with them about the kingdom of God. To-day I am on my way to Alstrup.
I am sick and not able to preach at present. Pray for us, that the Lord may strengthen us to labor in his vineyard.
JOHN G. MATTESON.
July 16, 1878.
WISCONSIN
By T. B. Snow; A. J. Breed
Tent No. 6, Kendall, Aug. 8.
We pitched our tent in this place Aug. 2, and have held two meetings, with congregations of about one hundred and fifty. We had good attention and good order. We hope for success. T. B. Snow. A. J. Breed.
ALABAMA
By A. O. Burrell
Atalla, July 29.
Although the Sabbath and the nature of man have been quite fully canvassed, yet the interest is still unabated. Our Sabbath meetings have been well attended, yet but few have decided to obey the truth. We shall remain here for some time.
The old Reviews sent us are given to interested readers. Some of them are placed in the hands of emigrants going West, and will bear fruit. They are very glad to read anything.
Our tent master, Bro. Newman, of Michigan, is having the ague, so I am having everything to do. This, together with the climate, makes it rather hard; but the Lord has strengthened and will continue to aid. Still remember us at the throne of grace. A. O. Burrell.