The Indiana Camp-Meeting
By J. S. Washburn
THIS meeting was held this year in a beautiful grove, near Peru, Miami County. The camp ground was all that could be desired, and the weather was almost perfect. Elder R. A. Underwood and myself arrived at the camp ground Friday evening, July 31, and found the meeting progressing well, with an excellent outside interest. The meeting Sabbath morning, August 1, was excellent, the theme of Elder Underwood’s discourse being the grand old truth of Daniel 8:13, 14. A deep impression was made, and many came forward to seek special help. In the afternoon the matter of the moving the General Conference headquarters and the building of a sanitarium and school in Washington, D. C., was presented, and as the brethren and sisters saw the wonderful, direct leadings of the Spirit of Prophecy in this matter, and God’s remarkable providences meeting the faith of the brethren who believed God when he said “Move out of Battle Creek,” and again, “Move on to Washington,”—when the people saw that directly connected with this move as a result of it (see Sister White’s article in the REVIEW of July 28) was to be the outpouring of the latter rain, so long promised, a deep spirit of thanksgiving and praise was felt by all, and truly we enjoyed a shower of the glorious latter rain. Those who were present will not soon forget the thrill of joy and courage that came into all hearts as we saw that the pillar of cloud had risen and was leading us directly, and that we were now within a step of the great consummation of all things. Elder Daniells arrived Sunday morning. There was an excellent interest Sunday and Sunday night, and the meetings increased in interest and power steadily. The ringing trumpet call—“a certain sound”—was given by Elder Daniells. The power of the Holy Spirit was wonderfully manifested in his discourses on the pouring out of the latter rain. The old Advent Message, with all the light received since the early days, was proclaimed, and the power of the message was manifested, and we look for greater things yet than these. One interesting feature was the earnest talks of the Doctors Selmon, who with the Doctors Miller are about to start on a long journey to their inland China mission. Surely the prayers of every reader of the REVIEW will go with them into the heart of this dark heathen land. Up to the present writing (Aug. 6), about four hundred are encamped on the ground, and others are still coming in. A stirring sermon on the signs of the imminent nearness of the second coming of Christ was preached this evening by Elder Rees, the President of the Southern Illinois Conference, but for many years a worker in Indiana. Before leaving today for the Ohio camp ground, Elders Daniells and Underwood made a plea for cash donations and subscriptions for the purpose of establishing our institutions free of debt in Washington, and also for the Conference Industrial School in Boggstown, Ind. The good old plan of calling for those who desired to help, to rise and state the amount they desired to give, was followed, and it was truly a most excellent testimony meeting. Little boys and girls six years of age stood on their seats and waited eagerly their turn to pledge or give cash with the older brethren and sisters. This was a blessed revival meeting. The sum of $1,285.00 was thus donated in a very short time, $819.50 to Washington and $465.50 to the school, and all felt that this was only a beginning of much greater things—that there would be many who would double their pledges; many just coming on the grounds would help, and that the many who are missing these good meetings—those who are at their homes—will catch the same spirit of joyful giving, and we shall see much greater things than these. All felt that this is the beginning of better days for Indiana; and, when we see the deep joy, the thrill of new hope; that comes to our people with this new move on into the path of God’s glorious light, we know this move will send a thrill of joy and courage to all our people in this country and in all the world. Truly— “The trump of God is calling
The wilderness marching host,
Away from the desert sinful;
Receive ye the Holy Ghost.”