The New York Camp-Meeting.
By George I. Butler
This was a small meeting in comparison with that of last year. In fact, it showed that there was more or less discouragement upon the part of the friends of the cause; though, no doubt, the absence of some can be laid to the hurrying time of year. But there has been great need of thorough, practical labor in the State among the churches, and the absence of it for so long a time has, in some measure, left a sad impression upon the hearts of the people. The workings of the Tract and Missionary Society, however, have partially changed this. We hope all the friends of the cause everywhere will scan the annual report of the New York T. and M. Society this year, and compare it with that of last year. And if there are those who have little faith in this tract enterprise, we wish them especially to notice the matter. It has been thought by many that there would be a reaction in this enterprise, and some have prophesied its abandonment. It has seemed to some that the system might be carried out perhaps in small Conferences, where the friends of the cause were near together; but could not in large ones, where they were much scattered. So far as the latter is concerned, this Conference covers far more ground than any other, viz., the States of New York and Pennsylvania, and the churches are very much scattered in it. And, although the Society was organized here first, excepting New England, instead of a reaction, there is a great advance in success; the proportion of success being this year far greater than last. Hundreds of subscribers have been obtained for our periodicals, and thousands upon thousands of pages of tracts and books circulated among the people; and quite a number of souls have embraced the truth in consequence. In several places where tracts had been largely circulated, an interest to hear has been created among the people, and when three or four lectures had been given, the people called for light upon the Sabbath question, and churches were soon raised up of believers in the present truth. It is safe to say that greater encouragement was caused among the brethren by the efforts of the Tract Society, than from any other source the past year. In no State were there greater obstacles to be encountered in the adoption of the present system than in this Conference. Local societies had been established largely, previous to this, and in some places this had been done twice; so there was a general feeling of soreness in being called upon to change to the present plan. But the leading brethren took hold earnestly in the work, and the report soon to be published shows the result. The Tract and Missionary Society in New York has proved a success, and so it will everywhere, when the brethren and sisters take hold of it with a spirit of sacrifice. The result encourages them to still move forward. The business meetings of the Conference were characterized by union and interest. The resolution passed last year, in regard to paying only for such labor as was according to the recommendations of the Conference, was strictly carried out in settling. And there is gratifying evidence that some of our ministering brethren are more ready to labor in new fields than formerly. Two new churches were added this year. Credentials were withheld from two who had been in the employ of the Conference the past year. Very plain and practical remarks upon ministerial labor, and the necessity of a spirit of sacrifice, were made by those who came from abroad to labor during the camp-meetings, which were well received; and an evident spirit to improve was manifest. On the whole, we think a prospect of better days for this great field is evident, and the brethren generally expressed themselves as greatly encouraged. Some $3,700 were pledged for our school, which was doing quite well for the size of the meeting. The brethren and sisters of New York love the truth, and are determined to be faithful to it. Our social meetings were a success. The unity and importance of our present work were pressed upon the attention of the people. The preaching was practical and pointed, and was well received. Sabbath day, a large number came forward for prayers, and our meetings were solemn. Monday, also, we made a special effort for the people, with good results. Several started for the first time in the way to life, and quite a number of those who had long been keeping the Sabbath, but felt that they were too cold and at too great a distance from the Lord, made a new consecration to him, and with tears of contrition confessed their backwardness, and their determination to be more faithful. Seven were baptized. We were glad to form the acquaintance of Bro. Jacob Wilbur, of West Hoosick, N. Y., who attended our meeting till the close. He has been a minister among the first-day Adventists for several years. He became a reader of the REVIEW over a year since, and began to keep the Sabbath a few months ago. He was greatly strengthened and encouraged by our meeting, and said he never saw so much of the power of the Spirit at any meeting before. He gave us many good, humble, sensible testimonies in our social meetings, which seemed to have the ring of the true metal. Bro. Wilbur has fully made up his mind that this is the work of God. We supplied him with publications, and expect he will go with the tent to listen to a course of lectures soon; and we hope he may yet be useful in some part of this great work. Altogether, the New York Camp-meeting was a success; much more so than we dared to expect at its commencement; and we feel sorry that there were not twice as many present to enjoy its benefits. Those who remained at home suffered a loss. Bro. Haskell was with me and labored faithfully in bringing about the good results of the meeting. St. Johnsbury, Vt., Aug. 14, 1873.