p. 474 | THE CAMP-MEETING

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 27, 1881

THE CAMP-MEETING.

THE California Camp-meeting for 1881 was held in East Park Grove, just outside the city of Sacramento. The ground and shade were all that could be desired. Beside the large tents 95 family tents were on the ground. The arrangement was complete, and the camp presented a neat and inviting appearance. The 50-foot tent was divided into 15 rooms for lodgers ; this was unfortunate, as it was much needed for separate meetings.

Street cars ran to the Park, affording good accommodations for a limited amount of travel, and the proprietors were courteous, and granted us favors. But the cars were insufficient for the multitude. The ground was a little too far out of the city for a large attendance—and especially for a regular attendance.

The meeting commenced with a large number of our people present, which was partly owing to the chartering of cars. This is an excellent plan where it can be adopted. But it was unusually cold. By a strange freak of the weather the snow plows were called into use on the Central Railroad this side the summit, Oct. 14. In the morning ice was found in the camp. On Sabbath the weather changed, the wind blowing from the southeast—the rainy quarter. However, very little rain fell, but it thundered, and this seemed more of a surprise than the ice. After this the weather returned to its normal condition.

The meeting started off in a very encouraging manner. Considering that the churches have had very little ministerial help during the year, their condition, as indicated by the interest in the preaching and social meetings, was gratifying.

The preaching was very largely of a practical character. But it was hard work to reach the hearts of some. The most painful feature of the meeting was the trifling spirit manifested by some of the young people in the early part ; but by a well directed effort, this was changed, and a good work was wrought for the young.

Sister White arrived upon the ground Thursday night, and all were agreeably disappointed in the amount of labor she was enabled to do. After her severe sickness it was anticipated that she would not be able to speak much ; but she spoke most of the afternoons until the last Sunday, the 23d. Some of her discourses deserve special mention. That of Sabbath, the 15th, on the duty of parents, was equal to the best efforts we ever knew her to put forth. Also that on Luke 10 : 27 ; considerable many from the city heard, and were deeply and solemnly impressed. By request she spoke on temperance on Sunday, the 23d. This was by far the largest meeting of all. The large tent would not nearly seat the people, and Sister White was in her happiest vein. We never heard her give a more clear and impressive discourse on the subject. And the people seemed to appreciate it. Beside this her counsel was of great value throughout the meeting.

Besides Sister White the speakers taking part in the meeting were Elders I. D. Van Horn, S. N. Haskell, W. M. Healey, E. A. Briggs, J. D. Rice, and the editor of the SIGNS. Credentials were given to six ; Elders Van Horn, Healey, Rice, Briggs, and Israel, will constitute the ordained help for the year, no providence preventing. Ten received licenses, and we have reason to hope that most of them will engage actively in the work. Three of them are in some way connected with our publishing house in Oakland ; these, of course, cannot devote much of their time to laboring, except in local work. But there is opportunity for much work in Oakland and San Francisco.

The business meetings in all branches were conducted harmoniously, and with excellent feeling. The financial condition of the Conference and the Tract and Missionary Society was found to be such as to give great encouragement to all friends of the cause. Two things are clearly proved to our mind ; the Seventh-day Adventists in this Conference are liberal in support of this good cause ; and, the management of the business matters of the Conference and the T. and M. Society has been exceedingly judicious.

It has been well known that the churches of San Francisco and Oakland were largely in debt on their meeting-houses. These debts they were unable to pay. San Francisco is missionary ground ; those who embrace the truth there mostly leave the city, as it is difficult to keep the Sabbath and get employment there. This always keeps the church weak, though it is an important point, and must be held. The circumstances were considered at this meeting, and, though no public call was made, over $7,000 have been given up to this writing, Monday morning. This will be a great relief, and bring new courage to the workers in those churches.

One enterprise of great importance was inaugurated at this time. Steps were taken to establish a school by Seventh-day Adventists in California. A committee was appointed to carry this intention into effect as soon as possible, to meet the present want, also to examine and report in regard to a permanent location. A vote was taken to invite Prof. Brownsberger to come and take charge of it. This is a matter over which the minds of the brethren have been much exercised for some time, and we cannot express our gratification that our desires in regard to it are likely to be speedily fulfilled. Prof. Brownsberger has experience as an educator, is enthusiastic in his work, and enjoys the fullest confidence of our people.

The morning meeting, Oct. 24, was one of deep interest. Sister White gave instructions concerning the duties of church members, and pointed out some common wrongs, which have been the cause of the trouble in which some of the churches have been involved during the past year. She also gave a highly interesting account of the trials through which they passed in establishing the work in this State, and starting the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. She urged the duty of all who now embraced the truth to take hold and bear burdens in the publishing work and other enterprises, as those did who embraced it years ago.

At 9 o'clock a meeting was held preparatory to baptism ; after some remarks a large number came forward to take their stand on the Lord's side. A long train of wagons was started for the water, about a mile and a half, while many people took a nearer road on foot. We found a body of clear, cold water, formed by artesian wells ; thirty-two were baptized. They were of all ages, from ten years to old age. Some who never before made a start were of this number. Several had been baptized by antinomian teachers, and were converted out of that faith and baptism by careful study of Romans 6 and 7. It was a good day to many souls.

At 2 : 30 the S. S. Association convened. This was the last business up to the time of sending this report to the press, the Conference business remaining to be finished.

It is due to the daily papers of Sacramento, the Record-Union and the Bee, that we make mention of the reports which they gave of our meetings. In every respect they were fair and liberal, and we could not have asked more than they were willing to do. In addition to daily reports in both papers, the Record-Union gave a comprehensive synopsis of our faith, our publishing interests, missionary enterprises, camp-meetings, etc. Also a complete census of the encampment, giving the name and residence of each camper on the ground. The arrangement of the camp, the order preserved, and the earnest but sober appeals to the people, were so strongly in contrast with most of the camp-meetings conducted by other denominations, that the entire meeting commanded the respect of all who came onto the ground, and all were faithfully presented by the city papers. By this means a wider influence has been given to our work, and a wider interest created in it, than ever before in this State.