p. 569 | The New England Camp-Meeting

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 16, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 36.

The New England Camp-Meeting.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

THE camp-meeting held at New Bedford, Mass., for the New England Conference was, in some respects, the most interesting, and we trust the most profitable, ever held in this Conference. Owing to the shortness of the notice, there were not as many present at the commencement of the meeting as would otherwise have been, but they continued to come through the second week, until at the close, the Conference was well represented. A tent was pitched in New Bedford last summer, and quite an interest awakened among the people.

New Bedford is settled largely by men of wealth, such as sea captains and retired merchants. It was formerly a great whaling port, known all over the world. The citizens pride themselves in the morality of their city. There is a strong temperance element there. Whether the common vices of sea-port cities exist or not, it is true that they do not appear upon the surface as in other similar cities. It contains about thirty-five thousand inhabitants. Fairhaven, just across the river, was the home of Elder Joseph Bates, the first active preacher and publisher of present truth. He also had been a sea captain for many years, and expended a fortune thus acquired in the First Angel’s Message; so when he embraced the Sabbath, he was in poverty. Still he wrote and published. He was a man of faith, and so firmly believed the truth which he advocated, that not unfrequently he would be reduced to almost a penniless condition; but his strong faith in God was such that he never became discouraged. So it may be said that this section of the country was the birthplace of the Sabbath reform of the Third Angel’s Message.

The outside interest in the camp-meeting was excellent, and it was the very best class of citizens that attended. Quite a number embraced the Sabbath, how many we cannot tell. Over one hundred dollars’ worth of books was sold. Having seen notices of the meeting in the Boston papers, individuals came from distant cities for the purpose of inquiring respecting our faith. Some of these took their stand upon the truth, and were baptized. There were sixteen baptized at the close of the meeting. Most of them were converted during the meeting.

The claims of the one-hundred-thousand-dollar fund for our foreign missions were presented Monday morning, and over two thousand dollars was pledged in a few moments, after which between one and two thousand dollars was pledged for home-mission work. The interests of the South Lancaster Academy were also presented, and steps taken concerning

the enlargement of the Home building. This met the hearty approval of our friends, who pledged themselves to stand by whatever move the directors thought it advisable to make. The Conference report showed an increase of over one hundred members during the past year. Two new churches were received into the Conference, and other companies have been raised up during the year. The interest in New Bedford was such that Elder E. W. Farnsworth, with other workers, remains for two weeks, hoping to organize a church in that time.

The speakers from abroad were Elders Butler, Smith, and Farnsworth. Elder Goodrich was also present. During the past year he has been laboring in this Conference. As far as growth in numbers is concerned, our brethren feel that they have much for which to thank God. It was decided by the Conference that a mission should be opened in Lynn, the coming year, that the one in Boston be reopened, and that the Providence mission be continued. These are expensive missions, but the brethren manifested a willingness to do all in their power to carry them forward.

One feature of interest that characterized the meeting was that those who came remained to the close of the meeting, Tuesday morning, August 31. The grounds and also the large pavilion were lighted by an electric light. The meeting was held in the city, near the sea-coast. The weather was fine, with the exception of it being a little rainy. At times the Spirit of God rested down upon the encampment in a most marked manner. On the Sabbath about one hundred came forward for prayers, and nearly the same number on the Monday morning following. All felt encouraged. The expression that “This is the best camp-meeting I ever attended,” was often heard.

There were daily reports of the meetings published in the leading Boston and New Bedford papers.

S. N. H.