Eastern Camp-Meetings by John Nevins Andrews

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 12, 1871

Eastern Camp-Meetings.

By John Nevins Andrews

Perhaps I have failed to do my full duty in that I have not hitherto reported the labor of Bro. Littlejohn and others at these meetings. But the business of the Conferences which have come in connection with the camp-meetings, and the duties of the meetings have together so fully taxed my time and strength that I have thought it hardly possible to write anything. Besides I did depend upon the Conference secretary in each case to give an immediate report.

Our meeting at Kirkville, N. Y., was a very profitable season. Our brethren were on hand the day before that appointed for the commencement of the camp-meeting, and so got nearly all their preparations completed in advance of the meeting; and they were able also to dispose of much of the Conference business on that day of preparation. This promptness had much to do with the success of the meeting. All the meetings in K. were characterized by deep solemnity, and the Spirit of God was present to search the heart and to lead many to deep repentance for their departures from him. The word of God was very precious to those who listened, and to those who preached. Quite a large number sought God for the forgiveness of their sins, or that he would heal their backslidings. We had a precious season of baptism. Bro. C. O. Taylor buried in baptism some fifteen persons. We were favored with the presence of Eld. Rogers of the S. D. Baptist denomination, whose society and whose testimonies we greatly enjoyed. One meeting ended with a solemn covenant on the part of all present that they would be faithful to the cause of Christ all the days of their lives.

Bro. L. and myself had hardly time to reach the meeting at Richmond, Vt., at its commencement. Our brethren at this meeting were not all prompt to be on the ground at its commencement. And by the neglect of the R. R. companies the tents failed to reach the ground till sixth day afternoon. These unfavorable circumstances threatened serious injury to the meeting. But God appeared for our help. The meeting increased in interest as it progressed. When sinners and backsliders were invited forward, at least eighty persons, mostly of the unconverted, obeyed the call, and all but one of these arose and spoke. Quite a number found Christ.

At the close of the Richmond meeting, we found ourselves greatly exhausted, and on reaching the hospitable home of Bro. A. W. Smith in Manchester, N. H., we were glad to stop and spend a few hours in sleep before proceeding on to the camp ground at Amherst, N. H. On the second day of this meeting we were made glad by the arrival of sister White, accompanied by her son Willie. Her labors at this camp-meeting were of much value to the people of God.

We much regretted the absence of Bro. White, whose responsibilities at Battle Creek made it inconsistent that he should be present. We had a profitable meeting, though not so free and encouraging as in New York and in Vermont. Our brethren of the New England Conference deserve great credit for their promptness in raising means in response to the several calls in behalf of the cause of God. Yet two things which cannot be thus commended ought here to be named: 1. Very many did not come at the commencement of the meeting, but deferred this till the second, third, or fourth day. 2. As the New England Conference is composed of four States, sectional feelings to some considerable extent have crept in, and there is a lack of unity of feeling, which stands in the way of the prosperity of the work. I trust that the bare statement of these two evils will cause that they be put away.

From Amherst, we came to the camp-ground at Pishon's Ferry in Skowhegan, Maine. It is now the morning of the first day of the week. Our meetings have been marked with solemnity, and have increased in interest up to this point. Those who have preached the word of God have enjoyed a good degree of freedom, and those who have listened have given evidence that that word has found way to their hearts. A considerable number of backsliders have sought God with humble confession, and some of the unconverted have here set out to seek Christ. We hope for a large attendance and an excellent meeting the present day. And we trust that this camp-meeting and State Conference will result in much good to the cause of Christ in the State of Maine.

J. N. ANDREWS.

Skowhegan, Maine, Sept. 3, 1871.