Vermont Camp-Meeting by Isaac D. Van Horn

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 10, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 35.

Vermont Camp-Meeting.

By Isaac D. Van Horn

IN the city of Burlington, on the east shore of Lake Champlain, and on a bluff at least one hundred feet above the waters of the lake, on the same ground that was occupied last year, this meeting was held. Besides the two large tents, there were thirty-nine family tents pitched, and not far from three hundred people encamped on the ground.

The ministers from abroad attending the meeting were E. W. Farnsworth, from Iowa, D. A. Robinson, from Massachusetts, A. O. Burrill, from Maine, R. F. Barton, from Kansas, and the writer, from Michigan. After the first week, Elders Robinson and Burrill left for the Maine camp-meeting.

The spiritual exercises were all good, and increased in interest to the close. The close, practical preaching relating to our specific work, had its designed effect on our brethren and sisters; and the doctrinal discourses given evenings and Sundays, told with good effect on the visiting people. We know of three who decided to keep the Sabbath, from what they heard on the ground. Many others in the town, who had become some interested through the influence of the mission work in this city, were almost persuaded to take their stand. This interest will be followed up.

The efforts to arouse backsliders and sinners to a sense of their unsafe condition, brought good results. On the Sabbath as many as fifty responded to the call to come forward. On Monday a similar move was made, and it was ascertained that sixteen candidates were ready for baptism. The ordinance was administered to them in the clear waters of the lake.

The business meetings in all branches of the cause were harmonious. The Conference proceedings were especially interesting. Brother Hutchins, who had served the Conference so faithfully, and for so long a time, on account of his advanced age and feeble health, decided to retire from the responsibility of being any longer president of the Conference. After much consultation and earnest prayer, the minds of all unanimously centered upon Brother I. E. Kimball, a young man of much promise, to fill his place. He was ordained to the gospel ministry in our closing meeting. A most fitting incident connected with this was that the retiring president of the Conference gave the charge to the one chosen to fill his place. All present were deeply affected, and many were moved to tears.

The wants of the South Lancaster Academy, and the English and Australian Missions, were first faithfully set before a select committee, and then before the Conference. Professor Ramsey was here and did faithful work for the school. It was decided unanimously that the Vermont Conference raise, by taking stock, the sum of $3,000, and by donations $1,000 for the English mission, and $1,000 for the Australian mission. Pledges were taken on the ground to the amount of $1,350 for the school, and near $900 about equally divided on the missions.

Thus Vermont, as she ever has done, comes up nobly to the work and shows her willingness to stand by the cause of truth to the end. She has a good working force now in her ministers, licentiates, and colporters. With the blessing of God, much will be accomplished in that Conference the coming year. I. D. VAN HORN. Portland, Maine, Aug. 27, 1885.