Camp-Meeting at Aroostook, Maine.
By A. O. Burrill
THIS meeting was held ten days in Mr. Putman's grove, within the corporation of Houlton, which is the county seat, and a thriving village of about four thousand inhabitants, and a center for trade for many miles around. The grounds were all that could be desired. Excursion trains were run on Sundays. It had been said that a camp-meeting could not be held over Sunday, but I never saw a more orderly people. I do not remember hearing even an indecent word during our ten days' encampment. Our camp-meeting committee, although inexperienced, had everything in good condition and in time. Instead of having a provision stand, they had a groceryman and a baker call at each tent, taking their orders and delivering as they requested. I think I never before saw anything work as well. This saved much labor for some of our brethren. I am well pleased, and think our people will find it will work well in other places. The expenses were readily met, and as Moses said, "Let neither man nor woman make any more work," so we said, "Bring no more money for expenses." About one hundred camped in sixteen tents. The large 80-foot tabernacle was well filled on both Sundays. The preaching was such as to cause deep searching of heart, which was manifested in confessions. The importance of fitting ourselves to labor in some capacity was emphasized, and from this meeting more than one dozen will go out to give a portion or all of their time to the work of canvassing for our papers and books. Quite a number expressed their intention to attend the Academy at South Lancaster the coming year. The brethren in that portion of the State pledged fully one thousand dollars with which to advance the cause. This, considering their circumstances, was quite liberal, and would be a good example for some of our older brethren in other portions of the State to imitate. The papers all spoke kindly of our work, and gave candid reports of our camp-meeting. From the first it was apparent that the devil was fearful of his craft. One of his servants sent a full supply of his literature to a man not of our faith, and this man returned it by express to the sender. Letters were written, warning the people against us and our work, but they only served to make friends to the truth. Several embraced the truth and such an interest was awakened that some of the workers remained to follow up the work. There are about two hundred and fifty SIGNS making weekly visits to this portion of the State. These subscriptions have all been taken by inexperienced canvassers, who are gaining an excellent experience. Our work is crossing the line, and extending into the province of New Brunswick, which seems to be a promising field of labor, and our brethren seem to be waking up to extend this blessed work among that people. Brethren Whittier and Leighton are to visit Washington County, which borders on New Brunswick and the Atlantic, carrying the light into this region. A. O. BURRILL. 113 Pearl St., Portland, July 10.