p. 18 | The Iowa Camp-Meeting by B. L. DIEFFENBACHER

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 21, 1903

The Iowa Camp-Meeting

By B. L. DIEFFENBACHER

In the Review of July 7 quite a full report was given of the business proceedings of the Iowa Conference during our last session at Colfax, May 28 to June 7; but nothing has appeared giving the spiritual part of the meeting. To many of us it seemed the most spiritual meeting ever held in Iowa, so far as our knowledge goes. During the three days' meeting for the workers, which preceded the regular meeting, each laborer sought to put away everything that could separate from God, that he might be baptized anew with the Holy Spirit for the service.

It rained almost continually from the beginning of the workers' meeting till the close of the camp-meeting. For two days all railroad traffic from both east and west was cut off from Colfax. Many of our people who expected to attend the latter part of the feast, did not come when they could, and therefore could not come when they would. May it not be thus in the gathering to the wedding feast of the Lamb.

From outward appearances it would seem that this stormy and rainy period was a most deplorable condition of affairs at this time when God's people were to assemble. Satan would have been pleased had we made the conditions

even more disagreeable by grumbling and fault-finding. “Howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.” For the ten days we were shut in from the outside world by the hand of God, that by prayer and supplication we might put away sin, and be of one mind, of one accord.

The camp-meeting was held on the Chautauqua grounds, less than a mile from the city. Situated on the hilltop, the abundance of rain soon ran off, and left the grounds in a fairly good condition.

Elders Geo. I. Butler and S. N. Haskell were with us several days. These aged and tried servants of the Lord came to us full of faith and hope, and their messages were full of courage and good cheer. This being Elder Butler's home State, he was received with extended arms and open hearts, especially by those who had known him in former years. We pray that the power of our God may continue with these aged servants till Jesus comes.

Elder Luther Warren came on the grounds during our workers' meeting, and remained throughout the camp-meeting. His labor was more especially bestowed upon the young people, of whom about one hundred and fifty were present. He spoke once each day in the large pavilion. The converting power of God was with his servant from the first, and as the Spirit of God did its office work in reproving “of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment,” there was a turning to God with fasting and weeping. The heart was rent, and not the garment. Sins were confessed and put away. The hearts of the fathers were turned to the children, and the hearts of the children to the fathers.

The first Sabbath was a day of gloominess, a day of clouds and storm from the elements without. But God's people were shut in with him, his glory overshadowed them. The Sun of righteousness had driven the storm clouds from the soul, and the whole congregation with but few exceptions moved forward toward the mercy seat. This blessed work continued until the close of the meeting. As this regenerating work went on in the large pavilion in the hearts of parents, the sons and daughters were separated from the large congregation and taken to the youth's tent. Here the converting power of God rested upon the youth, the “hope of the third angel's message.” As this melting, convicting power of the Spirit came upon them, convincing of sin, they gathered in companies of from three to five in different parts of the tent, pleading for victory over besetting sins. Glorious victories were gained by many. The wearing of gold, feathers, and flowers, that outward adorning of the body to satisfy pride, was put off, and the Lord Jesus Christ was put on with no provisions for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. Rom. 13:14.

Such earnestness was manifest on the part of the youth to be free in Jesus that the meeting on two occasions continued until after midnight. After the last service Sunday night the youth went to their tent for a parting service, while the older ones remained in the large pavilion. This youths' meeting was one never to be forgotten by those present. Those who had gained glorious victories over besetting sins, and those who longed for deliverance, could be seen here and there in little companies in the wood surrounding the tent, and also in the tent, pleading for complete deliverance from every sin. And from the testimony borne, and the sweet peace resting on the countenance, it was evident that God had given the heart's desire. Each told of the bands with which Satan had bound them, and claimed the victory in Jesus' name. This meeting continued until two o'clock in the morning, and thus the meeting closed with the shout of those who had obtained the mastery.

May God help us as ministers and people in our churches to put no stumbling-block in the way of our consecrated youth; but together may we press forward in the glorious work of the third angel, and at last have a triumphant entrance into the city of our God. Forty-four were baptized as the result of this meeting. B. L. DIEFFENBACHER.