Massachusetts Camp-Meeting.
By James Edson White
From a private letter from Mrs. White we gather some interesting items in regard to the meeting held at Groveland, August 22–28. Although in very feeble health, Elder White and wife felt it their duty to attend the eastern camp-meetings. Elder White was then suffering from a partial shock of paralysis, which left him in a prostrated condition. He kept his bed most of the time, and when he did attempt to walk, even across the floor, it required some one to steady his steps. Mrs. White was also suffering from an obstinate cold, and was taking treatment at the Sanitarium at Battle Creek. After several earnest seasons of prayer they took the cars for the east, trusting in the strong arm of God as they had so often done before. Arriving at the camp-ground, Mrs. White spoke Sabbath from Rom. 8:35–39, dwelling with great freedom upon the establishment of the Christian church, showing that Paul was hunted from place to place by the bigoted Jews, who would give him no rest, but stirred up both Jews and Gentiles to persecute and kill him. Paul knew what it was to preach Christ and him crucified, under difficulties. Yet as he looked over his trying experience he faced future trials and threatenings like a bold soldier of the cross of Christ and exclaimed: “For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Just such opposition those who keep the Sabbath of the fourth commandment may expect to receive. The spirit and power of God rested upon the speaker and upon the people, and when a call was made for those to come forward who especially desired the prayers of God’s people, more than one hundred and fifty responded. Many were seeking God for the first time. “As we saw the youth of ten years, the young men and women, the middle aged, and those whose hair was white with age, in humility seeking Jesus, all joining with tears in the petition for pardon of their sins, we thought, ‘There shall be more joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, than over ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance. If there is joy in heaven there should certainly be inexpressible joy upon earth.’” Sunday forenoon Elder Smith spoke upon the Eastern Question, which was just the subject upon which all wished to hear. The cars and three steamboats were engaged in bringing their passengers to the ground, until the crowd of interested listeners was greater than that of the previous year. In the afternoon Mrs. White spoke to the thousands assembled, on the subject of temperance, with more than her usual freedom and clearness of voice. Every seat in the mammoth tent was filled, and circled around the outside was a living wall of thousands who could find no room under the canvas. Before stepping from the stand, she was solicited, as on the previous year, to speak the same words spoken that day to the Temperance Club at Haverhill, the next Monday eve. But on account of an appointment for that evening at Danvers, where Elder Canright was holding tent-meetings, it was impossible to accept the invitation. At five in the afternoon, as the immense concourse seemed unwilling to leave the grounds, Elder Smith addressed them on the subject of the Mark of the Beast. Again that evening a large and attentive audience was addressed by Elder Haskell, and the great day of the meeting was over. Many had listened to the truth; and the day of final reckoning will reveal the results of that day’s meetings. May the seed sown spring up and bear fruit to the glory of God. Monday morning Elder White spoke with considerable feeling upon the necessity of more careful and circumspect living, and more perfect faith and thorough trust in God. The greatness of the work for this time, and the necessity for determined effort to carry it forward in the strength of God, was the burden of his remarks. Mrs. W. spoke again, especially to the young, after which a call was made for those to come forward who did not have the evidence of their acceptance with God, and who desired prayer in their behalf. Two hundred responded to the call. This was a most interesting occasion, at the close of which thirty-nine were baptized. At six o’clock Mrs. W. took the cars for her appointment at Danvers, where she spoke to an interested audience of nearly one thousand. At the close of the camp-meeting Elder White and wife accepted the invitation of Elder Haskell to return with him to his home at South Lancaster, where we leave them for the present, hoping to hear more in the future.