Illinois Camp-Meeting by Dudley Marvin Canright; W. H. Littlejohn

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 20, 1871

Illinois Camp-Meeting.

By Dudley Marvin Canright; W. H. Littlejohn

FRIDAY morning, June 9, we arrived on the camp-ground at Northville, Ill. All were sorry that Bro. and sister White could not be with us; yet we hoped the Lord would meet with us, and own our meeting. The brethren had taken extra pains this year in fitting up the camp-ground, and they succeeded well. We are glad to see taste and order manifest in everything that is done for the Lord’s cause. We believe the Lord is pleased with this, if we do not carry it too far, and come to glory in it.

This Conference is small; hence the attendance was not large, about eighty to one hundred Sabbath-keepers being present. Many in the northern part of the State will attend the Wis. camp-meeting. We found the meeting in progress under the care of Brn. Andrews and Stewart. We took hold and helped them the best we could. With the exception of Sunday, when there were from one thousand to fifteen hundred persons present, there was not a large attendance from without; so our preaching was mostly practical. The word seemed to be readily received. Our prayer-meetings were good and profitable. The business of the Conference was transacted with perfect harmony, and showed an encouraging condition of things. About $650.00 were readily subscribed for the Health Institute and Publishing Association. Others in the State will probably raise the sum to one thousand. The preaching brethren have used great economy in their expenses, and God has blessed their labors. A goodly number have been brought into the truth. We think the friends of the cause in Illinois have reason for encouragement. They should make a greater effort to liberally and promptly keep up their Systematic Benevolence funds, as they are much needed at present.

Sabbath afternoon, a large number came forward to seek the Lord. Among them were many who had never made a profession before, some of whom had been infidels till the present truth reached them. The Spirit of God was present, and many were melted to tears.

Monday morning, we went a few rods to Fox river where Bro. R. F. Andrews baptized seventeen souls. Scarcely ever has it been our privilege to witness so lovely a baptism. The weather was fine; it was a delightful place; it was our parting meeting; the Spirit of God was present, and our hearts were united in love. At the close of the baptism we all knelt together on the bank of the river and poured out thanksgiving and prayer to our blessed Lord for the blessings we had enjoyed while on that sacred camp-ground. Such privileges as these are green spots in the memory of weary pilgrims while toiling hard for eternal rest. Their memory always cheers us and encourages us to struggle on for the heavenly land.

As we were not to attend the Laporte camp-meeting, it gave us one week for rest; so we came on to the Wisconsin camp-ground at Milton Junction. Here all quiet and alone we now have our tent pitched under the trees on the bank of Clear Lake where we intend to spend a week in recreation and study. Nothing could be more acceptable to us just at present. We hope not only to enjoy it, but to profit by it.

D. M. CANRIGHT, W. H. LITTLEJOHN.

Milton Junction, Wis., June 14.