Upper Columbia Camp-Meeting.
By Editor
THIS meeting was held at Dayton, Washington Territory, May 31 to June 6, on the same ground that was occupied last year, on the creek flats, in a cottonwood grove. As there is yet considerable snow on the mountains, there is more water running around and through the camp than there was last year; the creek runs in a number of channels. The water is excellent, and the shade good. Were the soil and climate the same as in California it would not be safe to camp on this ground a single night. Some parts of the ground were quite wet, yet it is not considered dangerous here. The weather was remarkably fine during the entire time of the meeting. The attendance was smaller than it was last year, just as we expected. However they think we were only partly right in looking for the next camp-meeting to be far to the north. They expect to need one in the neighborhood of Walla Walla, and another somewhere about one hundred miles northward. We hope their prosperity may be such that their expectations will be realized. Sister Colcord, who has labored zealously in the cause of the missionary work in this Conference, has been severely sick. But it was thought best for her to try camp life, and a couch was prepared on the cars, and from the cars she was carried to the camp across the creek. She was able to render good service in assisting those who had to attend to the business, though she was not able to leave her tent to attend a meeting. But she improved in health all the time. Meeting opened Wednesday evening; speaking from 1 Peter 4:7. On Thursday morning Bro. Colcord was taken with a severe chill; this prostrated him very much, and on Sabbath afternoon he had another, which so reduced him that he was not able to preach during all the meeting. He attended all the meetings over which he was called to preside, which was more than he was really able to do, without speaking at all. Eld. Jones was present and shared with us the labor of speaking; but Eld. Colcord's sickness made this one of the most laborious meetings of the kind we ever attended. Quite a number of the brethren were slow to arrive, not a large proportion being present at the very commencement. This was unfortunate, as it delayed the business, and made it necessary to transact a large amount of business on Monday. However it was all disposed of in good order, and to the satisfaction of all. The election of officers for the Conference and all the Associations was unanimous, and heartily so. We never saw a better feeling existing over the selection of officers. The social meetings were not more numerous than could be profitable, and were generally spirited. In the spirit of devotion there seemed to be an advance on last year. On Sabbath afternoon the sermon was from Heb. 2:10. The feeling was deep in the congregation, and a quite general movement was made to renew their consecration to God and to his service. As there were very few on the ground who were not professors, only three were baptized, though others requested baptism, to be attended to elsewhere. Baptism was administered in the camp, about 25 or 30 yards from the large tent. Considering the size of the meeting, the book sales were unusually good, amounting to $60. It seems singular that in these northwestern Conferences it is impossible to obtain canvassers. In other fields they are successful with our works, and we believe there is no better field for enterprising canvassers than this. The outside attendance was larger this year than it was last, and the preaching was listened to with close attention. All were respectful, and the order was uniformly good. The brethren did not wish to have the care of a provision stand, and the privilege was obtained by a citizen of Dayton. On Sunday he had a good run of custom, as a large number of people was on the ground, who, of course, wanted something to eat. But on Monday he had to pay a fine of $25 for violating the Sunday law of the Territory! This law was recently enacted, and is very stringent. In the Conference report will be found reference to an offer by the citizens of Farmington, Whitman Co., W. T., for aid to establish a school, an Academy, in that village. The place is on the Idaho line, about 40 miles north of Lewiston. The offer was liberal, but after very carefully examining the matter it was decided that the brethren of this Conference are not prepared to undertake such a work, especially as the terms of the offer required the immediate commencement of a building. But the discussion of this subject brought out a plan which is feasible, and we hope it may be acted upon. A vote was taken recommending that a school, such as present wants may demand, be opened in Walla Walla, and that the meeting-house be used for that purpose. The church there has become weak, most of the brethren having gone away, so that there are few male members left. It has been feared that the house would become useless, if the moving spirit continued to prevail. Walla Walla is as central as any place that can be selected, and if this vote is carried into effect it will insure a profitable use of the house, and it may be the means of resuscitating this church, and perhaps save the oldest S. D. A. Church in this country from being obliterated. Immigrants are literally pouring into Eastern Washington and Oregon, induced to come by the opening up of the country by the building of railroads, and the facilities offered to get land. We judge that most of them become settlers on land, as a gentleman who told us the Chinese were a curse to the country, as we noticed the large number employed constructing the roads, also informed us that white laborers could not be procured, and of course the railroads could not be constructed, unless at a very slow rate, were it not for the Chinese laborers. Considering that the railroads are very desirable, and much needed to open the country to settlement, we could not appreciate his logic. But the moving mania seems to seize all classes, and our churches are seriously affected by it. The opening of new countries is tempting, but we believe that many of these moves are unprofitable in every respect. The inducement to take up land has been quite strong, but Brother Colcord has resisted it, and given his whole being to the work of the message. What he has lost in worldly gain he has gained in the affections of his brethren, and the confidence of all classes in him as a preacher of the advent near. The financial standing of the cause in this Conference is encouraging, though not nearly all are coming up to their duty in the matter of tithing. Much credit is due to the vigilant labor of Sister Colcord, for the good result already attained. Knowing the discouraging effect of debts over religious enterprises, she has labored, as Secretary of the T. and M. Society, to keep the work moving, and keep it free from debt. Her efforts have proved quite successful, and a feeling of confidence is established throughout the Conference, which will insure the enlargement of the work unless there is a sad neglect of duty on the part of the members. The field is growing, and the labor of the missionary societies should increase to keep pace with the growth of the country. Not much attention has been paid to the Health and Temperance work during the past year, the brother whose hands it was committed not being able to attend to it. At this meeting it was given to Elder Jones and wife, as President and Secretary of the Association, who are expected to bring it up in the year to come by establishing clubs, and increasing the interest and spreading information among the churches. We are all learners on the subject of living according to the laws of health, and we have all considerable to learn on the subject. Our meetings have been too nearly like common temperance meetings, having little reference to health further than it is related to abstinence from intoxicants. Our club meetings should be schools of instruction in hygiene; a means of spreading the best health and temperance literature; and examples to the world of a higher standard of temperance work than is elsewhere presented. The Presidency of the Sabbath-school Association was given to Bro. Gibson, a new hand, and it is hoped he will make the work a subject of study, and bring all the schools in this Conference up to the very highest state of efficiency. He will be assisted by Sister Beck as Secretary, who is not a new hand. We close this writing (June 7) under the shade of the trees as the tents are being taken down. There were twenty-four tents on the ground. We soon take the cars toward Portland, on our way to Salem, Oregon. One feature may be mentioned which speaks well for the future of the cause: the brethren and sisters left the ground very much encouraged. There was no excitement on the ground at any time, but a deep feeling of satisfaction with the meeting and the prospects of the work seemed to prevail. We bid them adieu, expecting never to meet with them again, as the labor of this meeting has confirmed the resolution we had formed, no longer to take double burdens upon us, in acting as preacher and editor at once, but to do that which we can do according to our health and strength, without laboring under a continued feeling of weariness. But we shall ever remember the friends of Upper Columbia, and hope to meet them in the land of rest.