The Vermont Camp-Meeting.
By A. C. Bourdeau
Pursuant to appointment in the REVIEW, the Vermont Camp-meeting was held in Richmond, near the village. The meeting commenced Thursday, August 17, and continued to the next Tuesday morning. The camp was in a maple grove, on an elevation near the road to Jericho, and contained seats sufficient to entertain two thousand persons, with a preacher's stand at one end of the center aisle, and a large sixty-foot tent at the other end, surrounded by twenty lodging tents which formed a circle around the entire camp, and which were occupied by a large representation of the friends of the cause in Vermont and Canada. Although the committee had arranged to have all the tents on the ground one full day before the commencement of the meeting, owing to some delay on the railroad, fifteen tents did not reach the ground till the second day of the meeting. Yet the weather was favorable, and all were in good spirits. The brethren within the limits of this Conference, who can do so, are recommended to supply themselves with tents for future camp-meetings. While we were disappointed in not having the labors of Bro. and sister White, we were grateful for the labors of Bro. J. N. Andrews and W. H. Littlejohn, who were the principal speakers during the meeting. Their discourses were listened to with interest and profit. The social meetings were seasons of encouragement to all the brethren and sisters present. In two of these meetings invitations were given to sinners and to those who had fallen into a state of indifference, to consecrate themselves to the Lord, and to come forward for prayers, and from fifty to seventy-five persons responded to the call with penitential hearts, and with tears. On Monday, five were buried with Christ in baptism. Several more design to be baptized at their earliest opportunity. The ninth annual session of the Vermont State Conference was held on the camp-ground, which added to the interest of the meeting. At the sessions which were held on Monday, pledges were made by the friends on the ground—for the Publishing Association, $967.00, for the Health Institute, $351.00, for the Benevolent Fund, $82.00, and for other purposes, nearly $200.00. We are happy to report some improvement in our Conference in meeting the pledges on Systematic Benevolence; but there is room for further progress in this direction. Near the close of the meeting a vote of thanks was tendered for having the use of the ground granted us free from charges, and for the services of the town officers and special constables, who acted well their part, and succeeded in preserving order and quiet on the ground. We have reason to believe that those who have recently embraced the truth at Jericho and West Bolton have been much strengthened and encouraged at this meeting. Brethren, let us try to be more faithful the coming year, that our next camp-meeting may find us more advanced in piety, and with a large increase of numbers. A. C. BOURDEAU.