CAMP-MEETING IN DISTRICT 1.
By H. W. Cottrell
The Virginia camp-meeting was held August 9-19, at Richmond, in a beautiful grove, situated at the terminus of the electric line, about four miles from the city. On the grounds were six fine springs of pure water, boiling forth from the hillside, and the owners of the ground gave the free use of these to the campers. During the extremely hot weather, which reached a temperature of one hundred and six degrees, this privilege was greatly appreciated. The Lord had a tender regard for the people, hence there was little or no sickness on the grounds caused by the heat. Besides the Conference laborers, Elders M. C. Wilcox and A. E. Place, Prof. F. Griggs, S. N. Curtiss, and the writer, assisted in the meetings. There was a fair attendance from without. Our people were well represented, considering the size of the Conference. Many were in a low spiritual condition, but Christ revealed himself to a number of persons who had backslidden, and they were enabled to rejoice in the Lord. Several who were not professed Christians were converted, and seven adults accepted the Sabbath truth during the meeting. Those who presented the word in public were favored with the Spirit of the Lord, and so spoke with power. The last few days of the meeting were days of special rejoicing on account of the manifest presence of the Lord. Elder R. D. Hottel was again elected Conference president. He has the confidence of the people, and is doing good work. At this meeting plans were completed, which, if executed, will rid the Conference of debt within about one year. The hearts of the people are full of courage, and the prospects are bright for a prosperous year, both spiritually and financially. The Vermont meeting was held on the same grounds as last year. There were fifty-five tents erected, and about three hundred of our people in attendance. The ministers present from outside the Conference were Elders Moon and Wilcox, and the writer. Professor Griggs spoke in the interests of the district academy; C. C. Nicola, M. D., represented the New England Sanitarium; and S. N. Curtiss labored in behalf of the canvassing work. From the first, the spiritual interest in the meetings was excellent. The revival work was well looked after, and many who had backslidden were reclaimed. A goodly number were converted, and thirty-one persons were baptized. I was informed that only three of these were re-baptisms; so we praise God that so many young hearts surrendered to his invitation, and yielded their lives to him. The tithe during the year met the outlay, and left a small sum in the treasury. Special contributions received the last day of the meeting, for home and foreign work, amounted to $374.26, which was very encouraging for this Conference. They have quite a strong force of workers, and all are of good courage. Elder J. W. Watt was re-elected president. Brother Watt has the confidence and moral support of the people, and the outlook for work in this State is encouraging. The meetings in District 1 were so appointed that they overlapped one another, hence none of the general laborers could remain through the entire time. Elder Wilcox and Brother Curtiss attended the first part, and Elder Moon and myself the latter part, of each meeting. Elder G. E. Fifield assisted during the forepart of the Maine meeting, and Elder G. E. Langdon all through. Dr. Nicola and Professor Griggs were also present. This meeting being held considerably to one side of the Conference, the number of our people in attendance was unusually small, and very few others came in. The various interests of the cause were considered at this as well as at each of the previously mentioned camps, the Sabbath-school work receiving special attention. At this gathering, the work did not take much of a spiritual turn till the last Sabbath of the meeting, at which time a goodly number, nearly all discouraged ones, were reclaimed. Elder H. C. Basney was re-elected president. There is something rather sacred as well as historical in connection with the work in the old State of Maine; for it was the scene of Elder and Mrs. White's first experience as they led out in the initiatory work of the Third Angel's Message.