CAMP-MEETING AT DUNLAP, IOWA.
By George I. Butler
This was larger than either of the other meetings that have been held in the State of Iowa this summer. Thirty tents were pitched, and about four hundred persons encamped. The grounds were not well calculated for a camp-meeting, furnishing but little shade, and being situated in a bend of the Boyer River, and almost surrounded by it, giving little opportunity for retirement. It is difficult to find suitable groves for such meetings in that section of the State. This meeting was composed mainly of those who had not previously attended our camp-meetings, and many were present who had but recently embraced the truth. Quite a number came from Nebraska. We also had a large representation of our Scandinavian friends. Bro. Hanson was present, also Bro. James Sawyer, to speak to them in their own tongue when other services were not in progress. Bro. and Sr. White attended this meeting, also Bro. Farnsworth, Bro. Boyd from Nebraska, Bro. Bartlett, and the writer. This meeting was not so free as our meetings at Fairfield and Indianola, though larger; yet we think it was a very profitable meeting for the cause in that section of the State. The instruction given was very much needed, and we trust it will be highly prized. Bro. and Sr. White reached the ground Friday afternoon, accompanied by Bro. W. C. White and wife, comparatively in good health and spirits. Their testimony had never before been heard by most of these present, and of course their presence added much to the interest of the meeting. Bro. W. gave a valuable discourse Sabbath, bearing on spiritual gifts, with many interesting incidents connected with their manifestation among our people, bringing out new thoughts to most of us concerning the unity of the Bible and God's method of instructing his people through Christ and his angel, and those to whom he is pleased to manifest himself. We were reminded during his stay with us of his recent article on “Growing Old Gracefully,” and judge he is making quite a success of this. He spoke with freedom on other subjects. We had an excellent Sabbath-school, led by Bro. W. C. White, with good words of instruction from several others on this important subject. Sister White had her usual freedom on important practical subjects. A large number came forward for prayers on the Sabbath, and on Monday also, and many good testimonies were given. Sister W. talked to the people Monday forenoon almost continuously for three hours, and such excellent practical instruction on the way to live out the principles of our holy religion in the common walks of life, it has rarely been my privilege to hear. While it was known that the speaker was wholly unacquainted with most of those she was addressing, we were also aware of the fact that her instructions were exactly adapted to the circumstances of the occasion, and could but feel that God specially directed her mind. We hope her remarks may never be forgotten by those present. Bro. and Sr. White are a father and mother in the cause. They feel the physical effects of their hard labor, and ought not to be called upon to bear heavy burdens of perplexity. Younger soldiers should take such burdens, and let these veterans in the cause long have the privilege of meeting with God's people, to encourage, counsel, and instruct them. Their experience in this work has been invaluable, and may be a source of great profit to us all. Our congregation on Sunday was about a thousand. We took up the temperance work in earnest, and with encouraging results. Two hundred and seventy-three signed the teetotal pledge, giving up alcohol, tobacco, tea, coffee, and all such stimulants. Eighty-one signed the anti-rum and tobacco pledge. Six hundred and forty-five have signed the teetotal pledge at the different meetings recently held in this State; and if we add to this the number of signatures obtained at the two meetings held in Missouri, we have in all eight hundred and eighty-nine. Many of these persons were enslaved by cups and pipes, and we trust the temperance influence will be strengthened by these meetings. The canvassers on the ground Sunday secured subscribers as follows: REVIEW, 15; Good Health, 16; Signs, 10; Instructor, 15; College Record, 59. Total, 115. Total number of subscribers secured at the three meetings in Iowa, 331. At this meeting we obtained pledges on the reserve T. and M. fund, amounting to $250, making in all about $700 at the three Iowa meetings, besides nearly $200 to the tent and camp-meeting fund. On Monday, we had a pleasant baptism, administered by Elds. Farnsworth and Hansen, on which occasion twenty-two were baptized, making seventy in all who have been baptized at the three meetings. We had a good farewell meeting Tuesday morning,—the best one of all. Much of the time several were waiting an opportunity to speak. All expressed much gratitude for the benefit received during the encampment. Quite a number were present from Nebraska and Dakota, some of whom came one hundred and fifty miles with teams. Bro. and Sr. White expected to go to Dakota from this meeting. Thus closed the last of six camp-meetings which I have attended, in Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa. They have been seasons of hard labor and anxiety, but we trust they have accomplished good. The three held in Iowa have been of great good to the State. From 1000 to 1200 Sabbath-keepers have attended them, many of whom we never saw before, and who had never enjoyed such a privilege. If we had before doubted in the least the advisability of holding such meetings in different sections of the State, our experience this year would have settled the question. I believe more has been done by these three camp-meetings to improve the spiritual condition of the cause than could have been done by two ministers laboring six months in each of the separate churches. Our meetings when very large become unwieldy, and many do not get that benefit from them they would from smaller meetings. It is cheaper to take camp-meetings near the people in central localities, than to force the people to go long distances; and the meetings reach many who most need them, and who would not go far to attend them. God has blessed us greatly in these meetings, for which we hope to ever be grateful. May we all remember the truths we have heard. Fairfield, Iowa, July 4, 1879.