The Missionary by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Oct 25, 1883

The Missionary.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

Indiana Camp-Meeting.

THIS was the second camp-meeting which this Conference has held this year. It was held at Bunker Hill, in a grove of large beech trees, which are quite numerous in some parts of the State. The friends of the cause came from different parts of the State, so that the campers numbered about 600. The meeting commenced Monday night, according to appointment, although the laborers from abroad did not arrive until Wednesday. A good spirit was in the meetings from the first. The business meetings were harmonious, and there was manifested a disposition to progress as the work moves forward.

This is a young Conference, and hitherto it has not been considered one of great numerical or financial strength. In 1870 Eld. S. H. Lane, a young man of twenty-four years, came to this State to labor. In the fall of that year they held their first camp-meeting, where were present nearly all of the brethren and sisters in Indiana. There were three family tents pitched on the ground and about thirty Sabbath-keepers. This was their commencement. They have had but little labor outside of the help at their annual camp-meetings, but the Lord has blessed them in their efforts to get the truth before their fellow-men. At the present time their Conference numbers about 700. There were sixty-seven tents on the ground. Five churches were received into the Conference, with a membership of 94. There were five ordained ministers and ten licentiates; these all, except Eld. Lane, have developed and been ordained in the State. There are twenty-nine churches and fourteen meeting-houses. Their tithe has been partly used in building these houses of worship, so there has been paid in to the Conference treasury about $3,100 in any year. The demoralizing influence of thus using the tithe is being felt in the Conference.

The subject of Bible-readings in connection with their colporteur work was freely discussed, and the plan fully endorsed by the Conference. A large delegation from this State will attend the Institute to be held at Battle Creek, commencing Oct. 30. The brethren and sisters manifest a strong desire to avail themselves of all advantages offered, that they may become successful laborers in the cause of God.

Resolutions were passed in favor of entering the large cities to establish the work, holding tent-meetings through the summer, preceded by colporteur work, and closing up with a camp-meeting in the fall. Thirteen "Tract Distributors" will be placed in as many prominent depots in the State. Two brethren will enter Indianapolis to labor as colporteurs. This is one of the largest railroad centers in any inland city in America. One hundred and twenty-four trains enter and leave the Union Depot each twenty-four hours.

The subject of foreign missions was presented and met a ready response, notwithstanding they propose to establish their work the coming year in the large cities, which will be at quite an expense. Pledges (including about $2,000 paid) amounted to over $5,000. Four hundred dollars of this sum was pledged and paid a few days previous to the camp-meeting. This was a larger sum than any Conference east of the Rocky Mountains has raised this season, excepting Michigan, which pledged $8,000.

Upon the Sabbath about fifty came forward for prayers. Many of them for the first time made a start to serve God, that Sabbath being the first they had ever kept. Twenty-one were baptized on Monday. Tuesday morning the meeting broke up, with the ordination of Doctor Hill and D. H. Oberholitzer, which make seven ordained ministers in this young (we cannot say weak) Conference; judging from present indications, she stands among her sister Conferences next to Michigan in every respect but numbers.

The speakers on the ground were Elds. I. D. Van Horn, S. H. Lane, Henderson, Reese, and Bartlett, Mrs. E. G. White, and the writer. The Spirit of God gave great freedom to Sister White in speaking.

The brethren returned to their homes much encouraged, feeling that they had met the Saviour at this annual gathering. We can only add, May God bless this Conference. S. N. HASKELL.