PENNSYLVANIA CAMP-MEETING.
By S. H. Lane
The State camp-meeting and Conference of Pennsylvania was held at Erie, June 6–16. The camp-ground was situated in the heart of the city, being only one block from the union depot. I never before saw a camp-meeting held so near the center of a great city, but the location was a success. The campers did not enjoy the luxury of a grove, but the weather was so cool that no inconvenience was experienced. Some work had been done in the city during the last few years, and an interest existed before the meeting. Erie is a city of fifty-three thousand inhabitants; and a few faithful souls had already accepted the truth and exerted a good influence, and there seemed to be no prejudice apparent. The camp-ground being so conveniently located, the attendance was large, the pavilion being well filled on every pleasant evening and Sunday. Erie is at the extreme western part of the State, and the attendance of our people was not so large as it would, in all probability, have been had the camp-ground been more centrally located; but on account of the interest existing in the city, it certainly was a wise thing to hold the camp-meeting at that place. From the first, it was evident that the Spirit of the Lord was present to cheer, strengthen, and build up our people, as well as convince and impress favorably all who attended. The camp-meeting effort will be immediately followed by the labor of a company of workers. The Pennsylvania Conference is certainly prospering. At the session of the annual Conference, the report showed that one hundred and fifty members above all losses had been added to the Conference. Three new churches have been organized, and admitted to the Conference. During the last two years there has been an increase in the tithe of nearly $4,000,—$1,700 year before last, and $2,300 the present year. Two new church houses have been erected, and $19,000 worth of books have been sold during the last year, through the tract society and the faithful canvassers. Four young men were ordained to the ministry at the camp-meeting one year ago; and on Sabbath, June 15, three earnest young men were set apart to the gospel ministry by prayer and the laying on of hands. The occasion was a solemn one. Many in the congregation responded with tears and hearty amens to the ceremony of the occasion. The brethren ordained were Morris Lukens, C. S. Longacre, and J. H. Schilling. During the revival service on the last Sabbath, about fifty came forward for prayers and consecration. I never saw such an occasion so void of excitement; indeed, no one was asked to come forward. A brother quietly asked that the front seat be vacated, and the first sister who came forward, without a word being said, knelt down on the straw at the edge of the large platform. Others came and knelt beside her and at the front seat, each one praying, and many weeping. Then other seats were vacated and filled, and silent prayers, mingled with tears were offered, perfect silence pervading the tent. This was a scene so impressive that every heart in communion with God felt as if the Spirit of the Lord was present in a wonderful manner. After a few minutes of silent prayer, some arose, while others still remained in prayer. When nearly all had arisen, some one, without an invitation, arose and began to testify. When nearly every one had testified, the meeting closed. Occasionally a verse was sung, mostly unaccompanied by the organ. Several not of our people were present, and some said, “We never saw the like of this, surely the Lord is with this people.” Although the music at the camp-ground was good, the occasion seemed so sacred and the consecration so deep and fervent that even music from many instruments would seemingly have been out of place. It was indeed a wonderful movement, and so out of the ordinary that it attracted much attention, and was thoroughly enjoyed not only by our own people, but by those not of our faith who were in attendance. Elder R. A. Underwood was elected president for another year. The brethren were unanimous in their choice. He has the confidence of the brethren and sisters; and there is no apparent reason why, with a strong corps of young men fast developing into ministers, and with an earnest corps of officers, the Pennsylvania Conference may not prosper even more abundantly than in the past. The laborers from outside of the Conference were Elders A. F. Ballenger, G. B. Thompson, and E. J. Hibbard, and the writer. The South Lancaster school interests were represented by Professor Griggs, and the health interests by Dr. Herr, of Cleveland, Brother Lucas, of the Battle Creek Sanitarium, and Sister Bowles, a nurse from Philadelphia; and the canvassing interests were represented by Brother S. N. Curtiss, of New York City, and the State agent, Brother Painter. The children's meetings, the young people's meetings, canvassers' and Sabbath-school meetings, as well as the sessions of the Conference and tract society, were not only interesting, but very profitable. The Conference voted to pay a second tithe to the General Conference, and seemed determined to help the work at home as well as in fields abroad, as never before; and if all carry out the good resolutions made, the work will be prosperous during the coming year, through the blessing of the Lord. The Conference has several score of large family tents, the majority of which have flies. Most of these tents have been purchased during the last year, and one seldom finds a Conference better equipped than is Pennsylvania. We trust the coming year may be more prosperous than any preceding year has been. S. H. LANE.