THE CAMP-MEETING AT CLYDE.
By Jos. Clarke
This meeting, held from Aug. 12 to 16, was well attended by brethren and sisters from most of the S. D. A. churches in Ohio. At this busy season of the year it was a sacrifice with some, but it was cheerfully made, and all were richly repaid. There were nine tents upon the ground, one of them a double tent; and when we consider that the churches in Ohio number but ten, with a membership of less than one hundred and eighty, we must see that the attendance upon this meeting was large, as no doubt from two hundred and fifty to three hundred interested persons attended regularly upon these meetings. No doubt the efforts lately made by Brn. Van Horn and Burrill with the tent in the vicinity of Melmore, greatly helped to give interest to the meeting, and to swell the number in attendance. The evening meetings were very largely attended by people in the vicinity, who gave good attention, and generally acted with decorum. On Sunday evening, it is thought that two thousand people were present. The meeting was held in a delightful grove of tall, stately trees (mostly beech), and near the town of Clyde, where superior advantages for travelers are found, as the Cleveland and Toledo road is here intersected by another from Sandusky, running south through the interior of the State. The ministers in attendance were, Brn. J. White, J. N. Andrews, I. D. Van Horn, and A. O. Burrill. Br. White was prevented by sickness from coming to this meeting, which was much regretted; still the Lord was with his people, and the preaching of the word was with power. Much was said by the ministers upon the importance of holy living, and all felt that this testimony was to the point. The importance of temperance and sobriety as opposed to surfeiting and drunkenness, was clearly set forth; also the scenes of the Judgment, and its present bearing upon us; the accountability of all, the watchcare of angels in marking the most secret acts of human life; the record of all, and the unerring justice of God in the case of each individual, were displayed in very forcible language; also the mercy of God in offering pardon to all. The people of God were deeply affected, and returned home with new courage, and stronger resolutions to live out the truth. Backsliders were aroused, in some cases, to new life. Much importance is attached to this meeting. It is to be hoped that many will remember the good impressions made, and will arise to new life. Too much praise can hardly be awarded to the devoted brethren who labored during this meeting in keeping order, and in supplying the wants and seeing to the interests of all. Some of them hardly had time to hear a discourse. The exhortations of our Swiss brother, who came only eight weeks before from his native land, with no knowledge of our language, alone repaid us for attending this meeting. Few, indeed, could refrain from tears at the devotion and zeal of this young brother who has come hither to learn our language, and to associate with our people, that he may become imbued with the spirit of the work, and be able to translate our works into the German and French. Truly, God's work is wonderful. Brn. White and Andrews are worn with labor, yet they worked with all their vigor of intellect to assist us. May the Lord reward them. They have an important work, and it is evident that God is their refuge. The Conference was held in rather an informal manner, as few of the churches had full notice of the time of holding the Conference. A report of this session of the Conference will be found in REVIEW No. 11. The general impression that this meeting leaves upon us is, the nearness and reality of the coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven; the awful solemnity of the Judgment now progressing; the terrible fate of transgressors; the greatness of the reward of the righteous; the necessity of watchfulness and prayer; the necessity of not merely seeking, but agonizing, striving, to enter in at the strait gate; the necessity of sacrificing upon the altar all our possessions, whether of wealth or of influence; and the necessity of holiness of life, to win the favor of God. All that was said and done was reasonable and scriptural.