p. 125 | Eastern Tour by James White

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 4, 1870

Eastern Tour.

By James White

We have reached home after an absence of eight weeks, during which time we have attended six camp-meetings. We much regret that want of time prevented us from giving weekly reports. The meetings on our eastern tour have been as interesting and profitable as any we ever attended, and would have been reported if we had had time. Our labors have been too great for us; and we decide that we should not hold more than two camp-meetings a month, especially if we are to commence in May and continue into October. Others have reported some of the eastern camp-meetings, and as most of them are now so far in the past, we will detain the reader with only a brief reference to them.

NEW YORK.

The brethren made very liberal preparations for the camp-meeting in the State of New York. All was done with a liberal hand; and yet the many large tents were occupied to the full extent. There was great freedom enjoyed in preaching the word, and the people listened with marked attention. Backsliders and common sinners moved forward to seek the Lord, and we trust much good was done. The most discouraging feature in the cause is the inefficiency of most of our ministers in the State of New York. This is not for want of mind and means to improve and grow into strong men, so much as a lack of devotion and energy to throw themselves into the work. We hope for better things for time to come.

We have only two general branches of work for our ministers: first, to go out and convert men to the truth; and, second, to labor for the churches where they most need help; visit the scattered ones, and keep up our system of benevolence with the churches and all the scattered ones. But it is a fact that some of our preachers are accomplishing next to nothing in either of these branches. And we ask, Why should our conferences support such ministers? We propose that in future our auditing committees in the several conferences make close examinations into what ministers really accomplish, as well as to the time they are occupied.

MASSACHUSETTS.

Having appointed two other camp-meetings in New England, one in Vermont, and one in Maine, whereas there was only one last year, we expected but a small meeting in Mass. this season. But we were disappointed to find it larger than last year. Our friends from Boston and other parts turned out nobly, and the meeting possessed more real interest than last year. The meeting enjoyed the labors of Brn. Andrews, Waggoner, Littlejohn, White, and sister White and others. Here the New England Conference was organized, embracing, Mass., N. H., Conn., and R. I., which will be self-sustaining.

At this meeting our Willie was taken sick of a fever from over-labor and exposure, and ran quite low; but has recovered from the fever, and is slowly gaining his strength. This was a very severe case, which added to our care and toil. But God heard our prayers and delivered us. Let his name be praised.

VERMONT.

Here, too we looked for a small meeting, of no very great importance, and consented to have Brn. Andrews and Littlejohn leave us to go to Oneida N. Y., and Bro. Waggoner to Maine. But judge of our happy surprise to find this one of our most important meetings, and very respectable in numbers. Labor, watching with our sick boy, and tedious traveling, had much exhausted us by the time we reached the camp ground in Bordoville, Vt. But the work of that meeting was before us, and we nerved ourselves for it. And God helped us. There was an ear to hear the word. Our people had come from Canada East, and from all parts of Vermont. And they had brought many of their relatives and friends with them to hear the reasons of our faith and hope. God gave us the word for the people.

Here we met old friends, and enjoyed happy interviews not soon to be forgotten. What is most needed in Vermont and Canada East is labor that shall build up the churches, and gather in souls. That Conference is able to support its ministers who labor to bring in souls, or to build up the churches, and keep up their system of benevolence. Those who cannot do either of these branches of labor are no longer needed by the Conference. But little can be done for the French mission in Canada at present. When things in the Vermont Conference are put in good working order, that Conference will be able to sustain one or more of its French ministers on a French mission in Canada. Until our people bring their tithes and offerings unto the Lord more liberally, nothing can be expected from our missionary treasury in the future to sustain a mission among the French in Canada.

There are wealthy farmers in Canada East and in Vermont who should see to this matter, instead of dividing their large possessions among their children, to load them down with care, and with the responsibilities of making a right use of this property, which they alone can properly bear. But let our ministers wake up to the importance of the work, and let them, under the directing hand of God, put forth efforts, judiciously, which are proportionate to the importance of our time, and they will see our people ready to sustain them in all such efforts. What we need most of all, is a devoted, efficient ministry. Then our people will be encouraged, and the cause will be built up, and will prosper everywhere.

MAINE.

When we reached the ground in Skowhegan, Me., we were much pleased with the situation, and happily surprised to see the ample preparations made. There were seats sufficient for 4000 people, around which were pitched twenty-four tents. There was a general turnout of the scattered brethren in Maine, and on the seventh day there were more than 1000 persons on the ground. On first-day there were not far from 3000 present, who gave the best attention to the word spoken. The meeting in Maine was a success, notwithstanding the discouraging influence of some on the ground who should help and not hinder. But the cause in Maine is outgrowing these things, and all are cheered with the hope of better days.

JAMES WHITE.