MEETINGS DURING THE FALL.
By John Nevins Andrews
During a considerable portion of the fall I have had the privilege of laboring in connection with Bro. and Sr. White. Now that I am for a time engaged in work that gives me a separate sphere of action, I recall the past with gratitude to God for its mercies, and desire to hold them in grateful remembrance. I think the series of camp-meetings in Mich., Ills., and Iowa, was evidently in the order of God. They bore much good fruit. They were meetings of deep solemnity, but entirely free from fanaticism or wild excitement. The Spirit of God gave a testimony to his servants, that sank deep into the hearts of the people. Our meetings in Iowa were meetings of great value to those who attended. Though late in the season, we were able by means of the large tent to hold evening meetings with a good degree of comfort. Bro. and Sr. White bore a very searching testimony, which took powerful hold upon those who were especially reproved. The meeting the last evening at Pilot Grove, was a season never to be forgotten. Searching of heart, confession of sins, humiliation before God, and earnest cries to him, took up much of the time. We felt that God was manifestly present in that assembly. The brethren in Iowa had interest to attend the meeting. Difficulties which are sufficient in some parts of the country to keep our people at home, did not suffice to do it there. Some, indeed, failed, but many showed by their acts that they had an interest to attend. We were much interested in the prosperity of the work at Brighton, Iowa, the field of labor of Brn. Cornell and Butler. Here is quite a large company who have stepped out to obey the unpopular truths of the third angel’s message. They have erected, and probably by this time nearly finished, a neat, commodious, house of worship. May no scattering influence destroy this work among the people; and may those who have begun to walk in the path of truth, follow on to know the Lord, till they shall know his going forth prepared as the morning. Returning from Iowa, several days were spent at Battle Creek, in duties connected with the office. From thence we came direct to the N. Y. State Conference. The labors of Bro. and Sr. White during this meeting were greatly needed, and they were not in vain. Our conference is not in as prosperous a condition as it should be. There is a lack of devotion to the work which must be supplied, or ruin to many will be the consequence. Our meeting on Monday and Tuesday was one of deep heart-searching, and solemnity. May its testimonies of reproof, especially that given by Sr. White for lack on the part of the preachers, never be forgotten. After the meeting on Sunday evening, during family prayer, Sr. White was for a short time wrapped in the visions of the Spirit of God. Her solemn testimony on Monday, was a part of what was given her during that vision. We were glad of the presence of Eld. D. T. Taylor of Rouses Point who attended nearly the whole time of the Conference. On Sunday evening he preached a very interesting discourse on “Quench not the Spirit,” 1 Thess. v, 19. J. N. ANDREWS.