The Kansas and Missouri Camp-Meeting.
By George I. Butler
This meeting has just closed, and we trust the interests of the cause in the State have been greatly advanced by it. We judge fully twice as many Sabbath-keepers attended it, as have ever attended any meeting held within the bounds of this Conference before. This good attendance was not because circumstances were more favorable for getting there than in the past; on the contrary, they were never worse. Heavy rains fell the Sunday previous to meeting, when many desired to start, and the streams were up very high, so that a large number had to leave their teams on the way, and take the cars some distance, and then look for other conveyance to the meeting from the railroad; while others, by going long distances out of their way, found bridges where they could cross the swollen streams, and got through. We were much encouraged to see the spirit of sacrifice among the people, which prompted them to make the efforts they did. A good delegation came from Doniphan County, upward of one hundred and fifty miles; and nearly the whole of the little church which I organized in Howard County, last winter, came about the same distance. During the first part of the meeting, there was a great scarcity of ministerial help. Many were much disappointed that Bro. and sister White were not present; and as Bro. Blanchard remained away to labor where there was an interest which had recently been started, and Bro. T. J. Butler was detained away till Sabbath, on account of sickness in his family, there was no one to take the burdens of the meeting but myself, and those who had recently received license from the Conference. But the Lord met with us by his Spirit. The preaching was designed to be close and practical, calculated to call the attention of the people to the real object for which they came together, and to show them what kind of a character they must form to stand the test of the Judgment. Sabbath was a good day. The melting Spirit of the Lord was present with power. Feeling testimonies were given by scores. Some twenty or thirty came forward for prayers, and all felt greatly cheered by the evident tokens of the Lord’s readiness to bless. Sunday, the crowd came, many hundreds in number, and as it was quite rainy, our meetings were not all that we should have been glad to have them; still, we got through the day as pleasantly as could be expected, considering the unfavorable weather. Monday, the day of closing, was profitable. Ten were baptized. Bro. T. J. Butler was ordained to the ministry by the laying on of hands, and our parting meeting was one of great interest. Many testified, with tears, of their determination to be more in earnest in the service of God than they had been in the past. Nearly all spoke of their being more than paid for their labors in coming to the meeting, and all seemed greatly cheered at the brightening prospects before the cause in this section. In the business proceedings of the Conference, there were also omens of good. The brethren seemed to realize more than ever before that they must carry their own burdens, if they would prosper in the Lord. There was more of a coming up, by far, than I have ever seen before, to grasp these burdens, and try to bear them: Our sessions were harmonious and pleasant. There seems to be no good reason, so far as I can see, why this Conference should not prosper if all will be faithful in bearing the burdens which fall to them. Two new churches were admitted to the Conference—Palermo, Doniphan Co., Kan., and Elk Falls, Howard Co., Kan. Others should have made application, either by letter or delegate. The Conference has two new tents ready to run, and men enough within her own limits to man them, from whom we hope to hear good reports the coming season. A great and good field of labor is open before them, which has not been spoiled by bad labor, and from which many invitations come pouring in for help. Why should we not look for good results? We shall expect to see good results, because we have great faith in the future of this cause where the people begin to realize its importance. Burlington, Iowa, June 4, 1873.