The Northern New York Camp Meeting
By S. B. Whitney
This meeting was held in Brushton, August 26-31. Considering the shortness of the notice and the scattered condition of our people, the attendance was encouraging. Fourteen tents were filled to their utmost capacity, some to overflowing, and numbers occupied rooms in the village. We were disappointed in not having ministerial help from abroad, only a few of our conference laborers being present, but the Lord graciously supplied the lack of laborers by working for us in a wonderful manner. Evidently his people had been seeking him at home, and felt the need of his presence; for the work of drawing near to him began at the first evening's service, and continued through the entire meeting. This developed a spirit of deep penitence for past backslidings, and with that came the faith to claim the forgiveness of sins and the righteousness of Christ, which brought the notes of victory. It was the general verdict that no such meeting had been held in this part of the State for the last twenty years, at least. Here I met dear old pioneers in this work, several having passed the age of fourscore years, with some of whom I became acquainted over forty years ago. Apparently these aged soldiers are as strong in the faith of the coming of the Lord as ever. Their testimony had the true advent ring, and added much to the interest and strength of the meeting, while their own souls were cheered and comforted as they saw the old-time spirit of consecration and devotion coming back to the church. As one result of the meeting, eight souls, ranging from mature age to tender youth, were baptized into the death and name of Jesus. Another feature of the occasion, which furnishes a reason for its success, was the frequency with which a grove of cedars near by was visited by the campers, as is attested by the manner in which the path leading to it was trodden. Still another, showing the favoring providence of God, is the fact that the week of our meeting was the only really fine one of the season in these parts, and was about as nearly perfect, as to weather, as is possible under existing conditions. The farewell meeting was held early in the morning of September 1, at which nearly all the campers were present. S. B. WHITNEY.