Iowa Camp-Meeting by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 13, 1871

Iowa Camp-Meeting.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

Wednesday, May 31, we went from Monroe to the camp-ground, fourteen miles. A good location was well fitted up, and many friends were already on the ground. Thursday, other tents came in till there were some twenty-five tents pitched in a large circle, the big tent completing the circle. The stand and seats were arranged inside the circle. Everything about the camp was kept neat and orderly during the whole meeting. Wednesday afternoon, there was a heavy rain which gave some a thorough wetting; with this exception, the weather was dry and pleasant all through, though rather warm some of the time. Between four and five hundred brethren and sisters were present, being a good representation from all the churches in southern and western Iowa. Probably it was the largest camp-meeting we have yet held in Iowa.

All seem to be hopeful and strong in the work. The efforts made in this State to divide and scatter the people of God have not only utterly failed, but have resulted in establishing the work more firmly than before. Each year several new churches are added to the Conference. On the whole, we regard the cause in Iowa as being in a healthy condition. For this we feel very thankful to our God.

Meeting began Thursday morning with preaching. From this on, the time was well filled up with sermons, prayer meetings, social meetings, prayers in the tents, &c. No special excitement of feeling was manifested at any time, yet there was a deep and solemn feeling among all on the ground. Excepting Sunday, the preaching was mostly practical, and solemn appeals were made to sinners and backsliders. Sabbath morning, about seventy-five came forward for prayers; and on Monday, others came to seek the Lord. Before closing we enjoyed a sweet season in baptizing seventeen souls, most of whom had made a start at this meeting.

Sabbath morning, we were made glad by the arrival of Bro. and sister White, who were detained till this time. They both spoke several times with their usual freedom, and their testimony was well received. We were glad to hear their encouraging words respecting the Health Institute, the Publishing Association, and other branches of the work. As an evidence of their love for, and confidence in, this part of the work, and those who manage it, the friends promptly pledged about $3,000 for the Institute and Association. God is using these institutions as a mighty power in spreading his truth; and all who love the message will do all they can to sustain them.

On Sunday, there was a good attendance from without, and the word spoken by Bro. and sister White was well received. They both had good freedom. Many of the Sabbath-keepers in this section having lately embraced the truth, had never heard them. We think that their visit will result in much good to these friends. Thursday morning our meeting broke up, and Bro. and sister White, Bro. Littlejohn, and others came with us to our home in Monroe, where we enjoyed entertaining them till the next day. Then we came on with them to their home in Washington. While waiting at Ashland for the cars, we went out on the bank of the Des Moines river, and there under the shade of a great tree we partook of our hygienic dinner with a relish which health reformers only know.

But now our camp-meeting is closed; its work is done; its record is made; our tents are struck; and again we are scattered to our homes to resume the stern duties of life! How rapidly the events of life are passing, and the Judgment is drawing on! Are we improving these opportunities so as to be prepared for that solemn test? May the Spirit of God keep fresh in our minds the important truths we have just heard, and aid us to live them out, that we may be saved by them.

D. M. Canright.

Washington, Iowa.