The Kansas Camp-Meeting.
By George I. Butler
I wish to say a few words about this meeting which the reader will see is appointed in this week's Review, near Centerville, Kansas. The place selected for the meeting is as central as any for all parts of this large Conference. The church near that place are anxious to have it there, and promise to carry passengers to and from the railroad, free, and provide for teams. The grove chosen is near Waymire crossing, on Big Sugar Creek, one mile south of Centerville, ten miles north-west of Mound City, fifteen miles south-west of La Cygne, and eighteen miles east of Garnett. Passengers coming on the cars should come on the Ft. Scott and Gulf R. R., and stop at La Cygne in the day-time, Wednesday preceding the meeting. The trains from the north and south generally meet there about noon. Teams will be there to take all who are there at that time to the meeting. It would be well to address a letter to Smith Sharp, Centerville, Linn Co., Kan., beforehand, so that it may be known how many are coming. Will not those who have charge of the northern Missouri tent, ship it to Smith Sharp, La Cygne, Kansas, by freight, so that it may be there in ample time? The present condition of affairs in this Conference makes it very important for the well-being of the cause that there should be a good attendance at this meeting. Indeed, it may well be doubted if there is not a more general interest manifested than there has been for the last two years, to attend, and take hold to lift in the work, if there is another appointed very soon. The General Conference has had a deep interest for the good of the cause in that weak Conference, for years, sending laborers, season after season, at an expense of thousands of dollars to itself. Bro. and sister White made a visit there, almost at the hazard of their lives, when the Conference was organized, having previously (the same season) attended eleven other camp-meetings, when they were just about worn out with hard labor, for the purpose of inspiring hope and courage, and showing their interest in the work there. But we are sorry to say there has not been that response on the part of all the brethren there we had hoped to see. But little has been done to support the local labor in the Conference, to say nothing of what has been sent in from abroad. This year, the General Conference has sent in no laborers to carry on the work there, partly because there are enough on the ground, who could and would labor, could they be properly supported, and partly because the brethren have not generally felt the burden of the work in their own Conference. If our brethren in particular localities do not feel the burden of the work in their own Conferences, the General Conference will try to help where they do. Here is far more encouragement to try to help those who will take hold with us than those who will not. God will be more ready to bless in such places. We speak thus frankly because we want the brethren to realize that they have reached an important point in the progress of the cause there. We know that money is scarce, and times are hard, but that need not hinder people from going to meeting, or manifesting a proper degree of interest in the work. We repeat, this meeting is an important meeting, and we hope there will be a special effort made to attend it. The people are used to traveling long distances in that new country. When worldlings can go hundreds of miles on buffalo hunts or land speculations, Christians can go some distance to worship God if they have an equal interest. Come, friends of the cause, rally from all parts of the Conference, and inspire courage in all our hearts by your earnest interest. Take hold, and we will do what we can to start the work forward. Start out in earnest this spring. You have two tents purchased, and men enough to run them. Sacrifice something for the purpose of properly supporting them. We are most happy to say there are those who feel a most commendable interest in the work, and are doing what they can for its advancement. With these we deeply sympathize, and we earnestly hope all will imbibe the same good spirit. Monroe, Wis., April 23, 1873.