The Missionary by E. R. Jones

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 1, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 37.

The Missionary.

By E. R. Jones

Nevada Camp-Meeting.

THE camp was pitched on a level plat of ground in the limits of Carson City, a town of about 5,000 inhabitants, the capital of the State. There were twenty tents besides the large one. The meeting had not been previously advertised, and as the cotton town quickly and silently arose in their very midst, many inquired, "Who are they?" "Where did they come from?" "What are they going to do?" etc. The bills soon explained the matter, as they were quickly scattered everywhere. About fifty of our people camped on the ground, quite a proportion of whom had newly come into the faith; this gave an additional interest to the meeting, as they eagerly sought for and rejoiced to gain a better understanding of the truth.

At the opening service there were four or five hundred present from the city. Many of these came from mere curiosity, and having had that gratified, attended little afterward. The second evening the congregation settled down to those who wished to hear what we had to say. The number of these increased from evening to evening, and the interest deepened till the very last. Judges, lawyers, and the governor of the State attended some of the evening services. The city became mightily stirred up over the things that were being preached at the camp. There had been colporter work done in the city for some time previous to the meeting, and a few had become interested. They and others with them now became fully established and took their stand on the truth.

The forenoon of each day was devoted to giving instruction in Sabbath-school work, the keeping of church records, and in Bible study. Brother Loughborough had these in charge, and most excellent instruction was given. Upwards of sixty services were held during the meeting; of these twenty-three were discourses given by Brethren Loughborough, Colcord, Briggs, and the writer.

The devotional services which at first did not seem to be all we could desire, improved till the very last, and at the close were sweet seasons of waiting before the Lord. The Sabbath-school each Sabbath was no insignificant feature of the meeting. Brother Loughborough superintended. There were about seventy in attendance each Sabbath, and the lessons were well learned. In classification, arrangement, and interest it was a model school. The contributions amounted to $22.50.

All were well pleased with the meeting, and anxious to have another next year. They unanimously voted to request the California Conference to so arrange. They subscribed about $400 for this purpose. Monday morning as the meeting closed, fourteen were baptized; one was baptized the day previous. The cause in Nevada is certainly advancing, much to the encouragement of all our people there. They are liberal toward the cause, which is a feature common to all mining districts, and warm-hearted and enthusiastic in the work. Brethren Briggs and Colcord remain in Carson to still further the interest by a protracted effort in the tent.

Anxiously are the brethren looking for the full development of the work in Carson City, and earnestly are they praying to God for its success. E. R. JONES.