CAMP-MEETING IN DAVIESS CO., MO.
By George I. Butler
This meeting was held upon Bro. Mallory's farm, where several meetings of like character had been held years before. The meeting was not so large as the one held in the southern part of the State. Nineteen tents were pitched, including the large one, and upwards of one hundred and fifty camped upon the ground. Some were disappointed in not seeing Bro. and Sr. White. Bro. Rogers was the only minister of5the Conference who attended. Bro. Hollenbeck, who was on his way back to Iowa, was present, and helped much in the singing and otherwise. Bro. Farnsworth labored earnestly and acceptably for the interest of the meeting. This was not so free a meeting as the one at Nevada City, because there was not that degree of union existing among all the brethren which existed there. Some members living a few miles from the meeting attended very little, and took no part. But most of those present took hold well, and received the blessing of Heaven. The Lord helped in the preaching, and truth was presented which will be a savor of life unto life, or of death unto death, to those who heard it. This was a season of labor and anxiety to those who had charge of the meeting, but truth and duty were made very clear. It seemed as if God was willing to pour us out a great blessing, if all would fully surrender to him. But we did not have that general move in the Conference that we wished to see, though several of the meetings were excellent, and hearts were melted by the tender Spirit of God. On Sunday a large crowd of outsiders were present, but a storm in the afternoon broke up the interest of the meeting very much. I gave two discourses on the health and temperance question, which were well received by nearly all. Sunday morning we obtained one hundred and fourteen signers to the teetotal pledge, which was full as high a percentage of those present as at the southern meeting. We regretted that some of our leading brethren would not cast their influence with us in favor of this movement. We also made special efforts to present the subject of s. B. before the brethren; and after preaching on the subject, we circulated a paper to which a large number subscribed, sacredly pledging a tithe of their income to God. But some of our leading brethren were as loth to take part in this enterprise as they were to act on the temperance question. What a sad commentary upon the effect of worldly wealth on the minds of those who profess the truth, that it is so difficult to get those who are well off to pledge a tithe of their income to God; while those who are comparatively poor are nearly always willing to do so. But I find this is apt to be the case. The cause of God is languishing in Missouri because those who can sustain it, will not. Ministers are going to work with their hands, assigning this reason, that they cannot receive a decent support. How can God bless, when the people will not sustain the cause with their means? How can Sabbath-keepers expect ministerial labor unless they will help sustain those whom they desire to have labor for them, so that their families can be properly supported. We had an interesting Sabbath-school, which was superintended by Bro. Farnsworth. We also had a meeting for the purpose of considering the subject of education, and our College at Battle Creek. I had freedom in speaking upon the importance of improving the mind, and of preserving it in the best condition to render life useful. We must create a love for education among our people, where it does not already exist. We want the youth among us to be capable of reasoning correctly, being well posted in all true science, and above all, in God's holy truth. How can this work be accomplished without such a school as ours? The T. and M. work was also considered. Bro. E. A. Dean, director of district No. 1, resigned because he is to be absent several months. Bro. H. H. Fisher, of Gallatin, was appointed to take his place. We were favored with a good organ to assist in the music, by the kindness of Bro. Mallory's daughter-in-law, which was much appreciated. Our meeting closed Tuesday morning, nearly all feeling in the best of spirits. May God bless the cause in Missouri. GEO. I. BUTLER. Fairfield, Iowa.