The Vermont Camp-Meeting.
By I. D. Van Horn
THIS meeting was held at Prospect Park, a place formerly used for a fair ground, about two miles from Montpelier. The attendance of the friends of the cause was about the same as in former years, upwards of 200 camping on the ground, and the churches throughout the State were well represented. Besides the ministers and the licentiates of the Conference, there were present Elder G. I. Butler, Sister White and the writer. Brother Boynton was also present and took charge of the canvassing work. Sister White endured the labor at the New England camp-meeting well, and coming on with us here she was able to bear her testimony in her usual clear and pointed style. She gave four discourses, had good freedom, and seemingly without much weariness. The rest of the preaching was done by Elder Butler and the writer. The principal burden in all the preaching services and social meetings was to impress the people to come up to a higher standard of piety and devotion to the cause of God. Much was said to show the wants of the cause, and to urge young men and women to give themselves to the work and help bear the burdens. Brother Boynton was active in his branch of the work, and infused such a spirit of zeal and energy into the hearts of those who attended his classes that some ten or twelve who had never canvassed any resolved to enter the field, and six who had worked some, determined to put forth greater efforts. The special seasons for seeking God on Sabbath and Monday were crowned with some success. The Lord came near and the tender spirit gave evidence of consecration of heart to God. A few made a start for the first time, and on Monday went forward in baptism. There were eight baptized, and it was a solemn and affecting scene. On Monday morning Brother Butler presented the wants of the Missions in Europe, and of the International Tract Society. This theme, which is always inspiring, raised the spirit of the meeting, and when the friends were called upon, in a short time, pledges were taken amounting to upwards of $1,200, and about $250 of this was paid. The outside attendance on Sunday was not as large as in other places. Those who did come, except a few roughs, paid good attention, and some were deeply impressed by the truth. One man, who has been a minister of the gospel for nearly thirty years, the last fourteen of which he was an Adventist, came out decidedly on the truth, and at our closing meeting, Tuesday morning, declared himself determined to keep the Sabbath the remainder of his life. This man is Elder M. Durfey, of Worcester, Vt., about six miles north of Montpelier. Thus closed our good meeting in Vermont. May God bless the cause there. We have just received word by letter from Worcester, Mass., that six have started to keep the Sabbath as the result of the camp-meeting in that place, and some half dozen others are investigating the subject. No doubt this interest is due largely to the thorough canvass made in the town and vicinity before the meeting. A strong plea for help has come up from that place.