The Camp-Meeting at Oneida, N. Y.
By John Nevins Andrews
This meeting convened according to appointment, Thursday, Aug. 4. For the transaction of the business of the State Conference, the delegates of the several churches, and a portion of the brethren from different parts of the State assembled the previous day, and spent that day and a portion of the first day of the Camp-meeting in Conference business. And toward the close of the camp-meeting, there were several sessions of the Conference, to conclude its business. The remainder of the time was wholly given to the proper services of the camp-meeting. The grove selected for our camp-meeting was only large enough to seat the congregation, and so nearly all the tents were pitched in the adjoining open field, in the form of a large open square which surrounded the grove on three sides. There were nearly thirty tents, besides the sixty-feet tent, which was seated for use in case of rain. There was a good attendance of our people, considering the fact that they are so widely scattered over the State. Our hearts were made glad at the commencement of the meeting by the arrival of Bro. and Sr. White, and Bro. Littlejohn, who came to labor with us. We were also glad to see Bro. Waggoner, who was on his way to labor in Maine. Early in the meeting, we had the privilege of welcoming several of our Seventh-day Baptist brethren and sisters, who continued in attendance through the most of the meeting. We were happy to form an acquaintance with Eld. Rogers, of Leonardsville, and Eld. Backus, of Scott, and Bro. Spaulding, of Leonardsville. We hope to renew this acquaintance in time to come. The first discourse was preached by Bro. White, on the glorious advent of the Saviour. It was a cheering discourse. Sr. White followed, in words of powerful exhortation. In the evening, Bro. Littlejohn preached a very searching discourse on, “Blessed are the pure in heart.” Aug. 5. After the usual social meetings, Bro. White preached on, “Are there few that be saved?” He called attention to the various devices of Satan by which very many will be involved in ruin. In the afternoon, Sr. White spoke in a forcible and searching manner on the work of Christian experience. In the evening, the writer spoke on, “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” The meetings on Sabbath, Aug. 6, were excellent. In the forenoon, Bro. Littlejohn spoke with great freedom and clearness on the order of events in the Judgment, from Eccl. 12:14. He showed that the Ancient of Days must sit in Judgment before the Son of God descends to execute the judgment in making his saints immortal. He called attention to the great words of the little horn, spoken at the very time that the Judgment of the Father is in session, and showed that these words have their striking fulfillment in the action of the present Romish council, in clothing the Pope with the attributes of Deity. In the afternoon, Sr. White spoke on the days of Noah, and showed that there is a most wonderful similarity between those days and the ones in which we live. After this discourse, many came forward for prayers. At 5 P. M., Bro. Ertzenberger gave an interesting recital of his own experience, and that of the brethren in Switzerland. In the evening, the writer spoke on the subject of the Sabbath, from Ex. 20: 8–11. Sunday, Aug. 7, a large congregation was in attendance. Bro. Littlejohn spoke with great clearness on the seventh-part-of-time theory. Those who heard him handle this wide-spread heresy, could but exclaim, “How forcible are right words?” In the afternoon, Bro. White presented a general outline of the reasons of our faith and hope. He was listened to with good attention by the large congregation present, as he set forth the unpopular doctrines which we cherish as the truth of God. In the evening, the writer showed that as the universe was once clean with no stain of sin upon it, and as sin owed its origin to Satan, so the time will come when God will have a clean universe again, and when sin and sinners shall have been consumed in the devouring fire, and only holy beings left alive, and then God shall be all and in all. Monday, Aug. 8, was devoted mainly to the cases of those who had started to seek God. In the forenoon, the subject of baptism was presented by Bro. White. In the afternoon, after further remarks from him upon the same subject, some twenty-five persons were examined, and accepted as candidates for baptism. After some delay occasioned by a failure to look out beforehand a proper place for the administration of the ordinance, quite a number repaired to the water to witness the ceremony. In the meantime, a most extraordinary tempest arose. The rain fell in torrents, and the wind blew a fearful gale. Those at the water found shelter in a barn near by. And after the fierce gale and heavy rain, a good season was enjoyed at the water in burying some twenty-four persons in the watery grave. But those who remained upon the ground, did not escape the terrific storm. Five or six of the tents were blown down, and the gale drove the heavy rain into and under many of the tents, and the ground was greatly flooded with water in many places. The pole of the large tent was broken. But no one was injured, and though great kindness was shown us by the people of Oneida in inviting many to their houses, yet the most were able to remain upon the ground for the night with some degree of comfort. The next day was spent in profitable services designed to close up our meeting. In the evening, Bro. Littlejohn preached on our position and work, to the edification of many. On Wednesday, Aug. 10, we separated with many feelings of regret that our meeting must close. One evil which cursed our meeting, was the act of a considerable number in leaving before its close. We hope never to see this again. Come to the meeting, brethren, prepared to stay, or come not at all. We received great kindness from the people of Oneida, and as many desired to hear further, it was decided to pitch the tent in that place, Aug. 19, for a course of lectures. God grant great success to his word! We have been greatly indebted at this meeting to Bro. White for his excellent instruction in our business meetings. On the whole, we have had a very profitable meeting. God help us to hold fast the good received.
J. N. Andrews.
South Lancaster, Mass., Camp-ground, Aug. 20, 1870.