The Grand Island (Neb.) Camp-Meeting
By A. T. Robinson
“The best camp-meeting I ever attended,” was the frequent testimony borne by those who were present at the Grand Island meeting, which opened on September 3, following a workers’ meeting of ten days, and closed Sunday evening, September 13. A council of the foreign publishing committees had been called to meet at the time of the camp-meeting, which brought together an unusually large number of laborers from abroad. Besides the Nebraska Conference ministers, there were present Elders J. N. Loughborough, I. H. Evans, N. P. Nelson, E. T. Russell, W. C. White, Luther Warren, Judson Washburn, W. A. Colcord, L. A. Hoopes, H. Shultz, Lewis Johnson, H. R. Johnson, F. H. Westphal, and Theo. Valentiner; also Brethren J. Sutherland, C. Meleen, Fred Johnson, A. Swedberg, and C. A. Thorp. These brethren spent much of the time in an important council relating to the foreign publishing work, a report of which will be given by others. Their presence and influence were greatly appreciated. The week preceding the camp-meeting between forty and fifty ministers, colporteurs, Bible workers, and canvassers were on the ground to assist in the erection of the camp. We held services together twice each day, and realized much of the presence and blessing of the Lord. On the Sabbath of the workers’ meeting, the members of the Grand Island church met with us, and we had a most precious season of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. Several of the ministers said it was the best Sabbath they ever spent. When the camp-meeting opened, this same spirit came into the larger congregations from the very beginning. Revival services were held nearly every day, and many souls were made free in God. The services of one forenoon were given to the consideration of the removal of the headquarters of the denomination to Washington, and to the foreign missionary work. At the close of the forenoon service a call was made for means, and a trifle under one thousand dollars was raised, in cash and pledges. Later in the week the missionary enterprises of Nebraska were considered, when over six hundred and fifty dollars was donated for the different objects presented. Elder Warren, while preaching on the last Sabbath morning of the meeting, appealed to the people to give themselves to the work of God, and nearly the whole congregation signified their willingness to do so. As he spoke of the education of our children and the training of our young people, the Spirit of God moved upon the congregation mightily, and many came forward and laid upon the speaker’s desk money, pledges, and jewelry. It reminded one of the “heaps” concerning which Hezekiah of old made inquiry. Among the pledges were some for cows, horses, and lands. This was a most wonderful meeting; but, as is often the case, and worth remembering by every one who works for the salvation of souls, the victory was first obtained by a few persons, crying to God for deliverance, with their faces upon the ground. It is when God’s servants feel the death agony of souls upon them that souls are born into the kingdom of God. “Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to come forth?” “As soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.” The words of admonition, counsel, and reproof spoken by Elder Loughborough made all feel to thank God that a few of the old pioneers in the message are still with us. God grant that they may be permitted to continue to bear their testimony, as a reminder that “this generation” has not passed without the Saviour’s words being fulfilled. The meeting was held in a beautiful, shady park, almost in the center of the city, which had been placed at our disposal free of charge. The weather was about all that could be desired, except it rained on both Sundays of the meeting, which greatly interfered with the attendance from the city. The attendance from the outside, afternoons and evenings, was fairly good. An excellent impression was made upon the people of the city, and we were requested by prominent citizens to come again next year. About one hundred and seventy tents were pitched upon the ground. Separate services were held in German, and in the Scandinavian languages, for the youth, and for the children. An excellent interest was reported by those in charge of the various meetings. On Sunday morning a large number of those encamped upon the ground repaired to a lake near by, where forty-four souls were buried with their Lord in baptism. Several of the brethren from abroad left on Sunday, and on Monday most of the people left for their homes. The laborers all go from this meeting with renewed zeal and courage, and hopeful of great results during the coming year. A. T. ROBINSON.