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The Missionary

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Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · Aug 30, 1883

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 9, No. 33.

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The Missionary.

By I. D. VanHorn

Virginia Camp-Meeting.

THE first camp-meeting of this new Conference was held at the time and place appointed. There was a much larger meeting of the friends of the cause, and of the outside people of the surrounding country than was expected. Full one hundred and fifty camped on the ground. On the Sabbath there were about two hundred and fifty beside our own people in attendance all day. On Sunday there were from a thousand to fifteen hundred on the ground. Much prejudice existed against our holding a camp-meeting in the vicinity of New Market, so much that it was difficult to obtain ground on which to hold it. But we are happy to state that this prejudice gave way, and several invitations were made for us at our next camp-meeting to occupy ground on their land free of charge.
When we consider that the United Brethren were holding a camp-meeting within seven miles of our camp, and in an established place for meeting for years, and that for all this our meeting was larger than theirs, we had great reason to praise God.
The brethren and sisters responded readily to the plain, pointed truths and instructions given in the sermons preached, and the testimonies borne at other meetings. We can say, They did well, when we consider the customs of the country, and that this was their first experience in holding a camp-meeting. The sweet, melting Spirit of the Lord was so manifested at times that we all felt that he approved of our effort.
There was life and interest in all our social meetings, and especial interest was taken in the children's meetings. The brethren seemed to take hold better in the direction of speaking and praying in meeting than in giving of their means to support the cause. But we feel assured that they will soon learn this part of the work too, and will become as ready to make sacrifices as in other Conferences. May God help them in this important duty that his precious cause may not suffer for want of means.
As the Conference had been organized but about four months there was no business connected with our camp-meeting. However, seeing the wants of the Tract and Missionary Society and the need of a Reserve Fund, an effort was made to raise one, and pledges were secured to the amount of $350. The camp-meeting expenses to the amount of a little more than $100 were promptly raised and paid.
The efforts made for sinners and backsliders were successful, as between thirty and forty responded by coming forward. The tears that flowed freely and the testimonies borne by these showed that the Spirit of God was at work on their hearts. On Monday, the last day of the meeting, the ordinance of baptism was administered by Brother Corliss to seven willing candidates. It was a very solemn scene and many were moved to tears.
On the whole this camp-meeting was a success, and all the friends of the cause were much encouraged. We left them satisfied that the Third Angel's Message is the same in the South as in the North, and the same everywhere.
Galion, O., August 16, 1883. I. D. VANHORN.