The Indiana Camp-Meeting.
By George I. Butler
THIS meeting commenced, according to appointment in the REVIEW, last Thursday morning in a fine grove four and a half miles west of Kokomo, Ind. There were sixteen tents on the ground besides the large one. There was a larger attendance of brethren and sisters than at any previous camp-meeting held in the State by our people, and many of them were this year on the ground in season, and quite a good portion remained till the close. In this respect, there was quite an improvement on last year. There were quite a number present from those places where the tent has been this season, who have embraced the truth, and several intelligent people who have heard of us and learned something about us by reading, who came to see for themselves what sort of a people we are. One circumstance rather interested me. A gentleman who has been reading the REVIEW for some months past desired to know more about us. He was a leader of the Sunday-school of the Presbyterian church, and a member, and a business man, who lived a good many miles from the place of our meeting. He had become interested in the Sabbath question by reading, and his minister became somewhat alarmed lest he should imbibe our views, and had a long talk with him before he started for our meeting. The minister finally told him he was very glad he was going to the “Advent” camp-meeting, for he was very sure he would get so disgusted that he would want nothing more to do with them. He came, and before he left he took his stand for the Sabbath, and spoke in our meeting with tears. It will be a pretty large step for him to go home and put up the sign over his lumber yard, “No lumber sold here on Saturday. The seventh-day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.” But we trust he will have strength of God to do it. There are no Sabbath-keepers near him. Thus, there are honest souls scattered through the world who are looking after the truth, and for a people who are in earnest in religion. An old gentleman, for many years a United Brethren preacher, also attended, to observe our demeanor, who, also, took his stand for the Sabbath. And the very reason why both of these did so, was because they thought they discerned more piety in our midst than elsewhere. These circumstances, which doubtless will increase among us, show the importance of our meetings being seasons of deep religious interest, and characterized by earnestness and deep piety. People’s attention is being called toward us, and it will be so more and more till the end. The condition of the cause in Indiana is, on the whole, encouraging. Brn. S. H. Lane and Jones, who have labored in the State the past summer with the tent, have seen some thirty embrace the truth, and labor seems to accomplish as much there as elsewhere. There are many openings in all directions, and earnest invitations to fill them. Meeting-houses can be more easily obtained than in many places, and the people are very ready, as a general thing, to turn out to meeting. But there are some hindrances in the way also. The debating spirit seems to be very prevalent, and a theoretical belief of the truth seems much more natural than a practical exemplification of the same. And here has been the great difficulty in this State in the camp-meetings. The people love to attend meeting and hear preaching, and seem easily affected in a measure; but to get them to move in any way, to act, to manifest a spirit of devotion, to take part in doing the duties and bearing the burdens, and to share in the sacrificing part, has seemed to require a great effort. In our meeting just closed, the effort was made and pressed home upon their hearts and consciences with all the force we could summon, to make the people see the importance of this part of religion; to realize that, without this, all profession was a mere form of no real consequence. The people listened and paid good attention, but I feared after all we should see no real move. But Sabbath afternoon, after hard labor, God seemed to give force to the truth, and the hearts and consciences of many were touched and broken, and tears and contrition and deep feeling were manifest with many. A large number came forward for prayers, and quite a number took a start. After that, a very perceptible improvement was noticeable in the spirit of the meeting, and everything seemed more free. There are good brethren and sisters in that small Conference who are determined to do all they can. But some have not learned yet what sacrifice means. Great allowance should be made, because the cause is young in the State, and because of the influence of early teaching. Many people seem to think that the holding of theoretical dogmas of a certain kind to battle and argue over is about all there is of religion. But these must be made to feel that a devotion and spirit of sacrifice powerful enough to renovate and purify the heart must be had, or their religion is of no practical benefit. The whole bent of the meeting was to impress this upon the mind, and I feel sure it found a response in many hearts. Quite a number expressed themselves that it was the best meeting ever held in the State. There is great chance for improvement in the arrangements of the camp-ground itself, so that hogs and other animals might be kept away at a distance, and more strict and orderly arrangements might be effected. These will doubtless be attended to as their experience in these things increases. All camp-grounds should be fenced for protection in such matters. The brethren in this State are as well off pecuniarily as most other Conferences, and rather better, I should judge. They are beginning to learn to sacrifice; but have something still to learn. Upward of $1,000 have been subscribed for the school in all, only a part of this at the camp-meeting. About $160.00 were pledged for the T. and M. Society. Conference funds were sufficient for all their needs. $250.00 were voted to the General Conference Fund. On the whole, the prospect in Indiana is hopeful if the friends of the cause will carry out their vows, and will really feel the importance of bearing their own burdens. May God make this young Conference a strong one ere long, and we fully believe he will, if all feel that interest in the work of God that they should. GEO. I. BUTLER. Kokomo, Ind., Sept. 22, 1873.