THE NEW YORK CAMP-MEETING.
By M. C. Wilcox
This meeting was held from August 30 to September 10, on the Wayne County fair ground, at Lyons, a beautiful little town in western central New York. Though devoid of shade, the site was excellent for the time of year, and the little dust at the beginning of the meeting was laid by timely showers. About seventy-five tents were pitched, and nearly five hundred persons were in attendance, a goodly representation coming from all parts of the State except the northern and eastern. The following churches were admitted to the Conference: Vienna, 25 members; Norwich, 17 members; Sidney, 11 members; Gorham, 17 members. The name of the Lancaster church was changed to Alden. The Conference is in a good financial condition. The tithe for the last year amounted to $11,608, being three thousand dollars more than that of the previous year. First-day offerings had an increase of eight hundred dollars, and the annual offerings, four hundred dollars. Five hundred dollars (tithe) was voted for the support of a laborer in foreign fields, and eleven dollars a week, during the school year, for a teacher in South Lancaster Academy. Resolutions on the following topics, all of which were considered in Conference meetings, were passed: The support of the Missionary Magazine; earnest and aggressive work with the Signs of the Times, Sentinel of Liberty, and our pamphlets and tracts; the Berean Reading Circles; ten-cent-a-week plan for the support of foreign missions; the general plan for lifting the debt on our educational institutions; the necessity of greater interest in the canvassing work; the duty of ministers, church elders, and librarians to seek out and develop talent lying dormant in our churches; and the organization of young people's societies wherever practicable. These resolutions were freely, fully, and enthusiastically discussed, especially those referring to aggressive missionary work. The remarks of the general laborers were not only interesting and instructive, but were cheering testimonies of actual experience in the field. One brother had just driven from Virginia. Before starting, he purchased a number of copies of the Quarter-Centennial issue of the Signs of the Times, at a cent a copy, and had only eighty-five cents left after paying for them. By the sale of these papers he paid his expenses on the way, and had ten dollars in his pocket when he reached Lyons. Several other testimonies just as interesting were given. The following general laborers were present: H. W. Cottrell, superintendent of the district; Professors P. T. Magan and Frederick Griggs, representatives of the educational work; I. H. Evans, in the interest of foreign missions; Allen Moon, of the Religious Liberty work; S. N. Curtis, manager of the New York branch of the Pacific Press, in the interest of the publishing and the canvassing work; and the writer. A free discussion upon these various lines of work brought out valuable instruction and many helpful suggestions, which were all well received. The preaching was practical, the evenings being devoted to the special truths of the message, in which subject the townspeople were interested. Many discouraged souls were revived, those who knew not the Saviour found him, and there were about twenty-seven baptized in the river near by. The Conference officers for the coming year are: President, Geo. B. Thompson; Vice-President, A. O. Burrill; Secretary, T. E. Bowen; Treasurer, F. E. Price; other members of the Executive Committee, J. W. Raymond, S. B. Whitney, and Geo. R. Lesch. Tract Society: President, G. B. Thompson. Sabbath-School Association: President, A. O. Burrill; Secretary, Delia Thompson. The following persons received credentials: G. B. Thompson, F. Peabody, S. B. Whitney, D. A. Ball, H. L. Bristol, J. B. Stow, Geo. R. Lesch, J. W. Raymond, A. O. Burrill, P. Z. Kinne, C. O. Taylor, H. H. Wilcox, F. Wheeler. Ministerial licenses were granted to B. E. Tefft, T. E. Bowen, B. E. Fisk, Earnest Raymond, W. J. Boynton, F. H. Hicks, and Mrs. Lulu Wightman. Missionary licenses to Mary Millington, Rose F. Mead, and Mary E. Simkin. On the whole, it was an excellent meeting, which the writer greatly enjoyed, not alone for the freedom of spirit manifested, but for the privilege of renewing old and making new acquaintances. At times the Lord specially interposed to hold in check unruly elements, and to heal the sick. More earnest prayer would have brought more power. God permits difficulties to come upon us that we may learn how to seek him through the difficulty, and so develop persevering, living faith. The old Empire State is a great and fruitful field for the labor to which God calls his people. If they hold Heaven's blessings for themselves alone, they will wither and die. If they yield themselves to God's will, he will baptize them for service. He pours out his Spirit upon his people for no other purpose.