SACRAMENTO CAMP-MEETING.
By Stephen N. Haskell
THE camp-meeting held in East Park, Sacramento, broke up Tuesday morning, Oct. 25. It continued twelve days, holding over two Sabbaths and first-days. The weather was fine and the attendance good. Sr. White's presence gave much courage to the hearts of our brethren, and her testimony was appreciated by all. At the commencement of the meetings the cool mornings were a little uncomfortable, but this was remedied by placing two large stoves in the tent, and in a few days the weather became warm and pleasant.488There was preaching three times a day, most of the time, and thirty-five discourses were given. Of these eight were given by Sr. White, besides which, she gave testimony in many of the social meetings; notwithstanding this she came out of the meetings stronger than she was when they commenced. For this we felt to praise the Lord. Upon each Sabbath about seventy-five came forward for prayers, and of the thirty-two baptized many were the fruits of the camp-meeting effort. A goodly number of others took their stand upon the truth which were not baptized. Two ladies upon the first Sunday came sixteen miles to attend the meeting and became much interested. The following week they came again with other members of the family, a portion of whom remained over until Monday, were baptized, and joined the church. The interest manifested by the citizens of Sacramento was good. A strong desire was expressed that there should be a tent-meeting held in that city. The names of over twenty who expect to meet upon the Sabbath were taken, and Bro. and Sr. McClure, with Bro. Scott, remained to arrange for meetings and to visit and learn the extent of the interest. Our brethren showed a commendable zeal in subscribing means to remove the embarrassment from the Oakland and San Francisco meeting-houses. Without any public appeal, but by simply presenting the matter before some thirty of our brethren, the sum of $10,000 was pledged, enough to cover the indebtedness of the two houses, and about $1,000 was paid on the ground. This is as it should be. The Lord's house should be free from encumbrance. The tithes paid the Conference last year was sufficient to meet all Conference expenses, but our increase of laborers the coming year will require a large increase of means over last year. The prophet says, "Bring ye all the tithes into the store-house, that there may be meat in my house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall be room enough to receive it." These words are true, and if our brethren are faithful in this and other respects, with the six ordained ministers and ten licentiates and colporters, of whom nearly all will be active laborers in the field, we shall expect to see a harvest of souls this coming year such as California has never before witnessed in any one year. I trust it will be so. God works when we place ourselves in his providence where he can work. The book-sales at the stand showed an increasing desire on the part of our brethren, to read and inform themselves on present truth. They amounted to over $700. I know of no other Conference camp-meeting which has ever exceeded this unless it be that of Michigan—the largest in the country. There were two hundred and twelve subscribers obtained upon the ground for our periodicals. The distribution of ministerial labor suggested and thought to be advisable, was something as follows: Elders Briggs and Israel to visit Nevada City, Grass Valley, Newcastle, and that section of the country; Elders Van Horn and Healey and Bro. Hurley arrange for tent-meetings in Alameda; Eld. Rice return to Lakeport; Bro. and Sr. McClure and Bro. Scott remain for the present at Sacramento. Brethren Morrison and Brorsen labor in Tulare and Fresno counties and vicinity; Brethren Lamb and Benton return to Salinas where they have been laboring. Brethren Mitchell and Smith labor in the vicinity of Woodland as the providence of God opens the way, and Bro. Palmer continue in the ship-work. On the first Sunday of the meeting about three thousand were present from the city and surrounding country who paid good attention to the word spoken. On the second Sunday it was estimated that about six thousand were present. The quietness and good order of the meetings and the preaching were the common topic of the city. Arrangements are already in progress for a school on this coast. The preliminary steps were taken at the camp-meeting, and committees were appointed to seek a location, correspond with teachers, etc. The advantages of having a denominational school, where our children can have proper influences thrown around them, and where those about to enter the ministry can have a short course of study upon those subjects wherein they are most deficient, was discussed and appreciated by our brethren present. The Park Association granted the use of the grounds free, and the Street Railroad Company, when notified in season, furnished special cars to take our friends to the Park without charge. Our brethren returned to their homes greatly encouraged to press on in the work of present truth. S. N. HASKELL.