THE NEBRASKA CAMP-MEETING.
By W. W. Prescott
In addition to the usual number of large meeting tents required for various purposes, there were two hundred and fifty family tents pitched in Lincoln Park, near the city of Lincoln, in which eleven hundred persons were encamped during the Nebraska State camp-meeting. The great drought had not dried up the desires of the people for spiritual food. In addition to the regular laborers of the Conference, there were present, during a part or the whole of the time, Brethren C. W. Flaiz, W. A. Spicer, C. C. Lewis, David Paulson, L. A. Hoopes, D. W. Reavis, D. Nettleton, and W. W. Prescott. There was a spirit of freedom in the meeting from the first, and an evident longing to receive whatever message the Lord had for His people. The great drought of the summer broke on the first Sabbath of the meeting, and there were heavy rains almost every day during the week. One evening the ground was almost flooded, and the large tent was blown down; but the next day's services began with an earnest praise service; the damage was soon repaired, and the work went forward. As the experience needed for this time and work and the abundant provision made for us in the gift of Jesus were earnestly presented to the people, and opportunities were given for souls to give themselves to the service of the Lord, there was a marked response. Many who had departed from the Lord returned to their first love, and others yielded for the first time to the gracious invitation. The unfavorable weather prevented any attendance from the city, except a few on the last Sunday, but a good work was accomplished for those on the ground, and many hearts rejoiced anew in the glorious truth of the Lord's soon coming and the power of His indwelling presence now to save from sin. Eighty-seven were baptized. From the reports rendered to the Conference the following facts are gathered: membership of the Conference, 2,500; number of churches, 65; number of churches added during the year, 2; number of workers in the employ of the Conference, 47; all the various funds, such as First-day offerings, annual offerings, etc., showed a large increase over the previous year, the donations to missions being nearly four times as large, but the tithe showed a falling off. The Conference had freed itself from debt, and was able to settle with all its workers, and still have a small surplus in hand. The donations during the meeting were liberal, the collection for the Skodsborg Sanatorium being $256.66. It was voted in the Conference to pay a second tithe for mission work, and to encourage a more general adoption of the ten-cent-a-week plan. The work for the children and youth received special attention, both during the meetings and in the plans for the future. In addition to the usual youth's and children's meetings, special meetings were held in the interest of the church-school work and Union College, and Brother G. M. Brown was chosen as permanent superintendent of the church-school and the Sabbath-school work, and Brother Luther Warren was placed in charge of the organized work for the young people. No changes were made in the usual officers of the Conference. The meeting closed with a general feeling of hope and cheer, and thankfulness for the privileges enjoyed.