Camp-meeting at Newton, Iowa.
By George I. Butler
Our camp-meeting closed to-day. It has been much the largest gathering of this kind ever held in the State of Iowa. Thirty-three church and family tents were up besides the large sixty-foot preachers’ tent. Prominent brethren called it the best camp-meeting ever held in Iowa. The weather was very unfavorable. It rained every day of the meeting, and some days so hard that the ground was covered with water. The weather was so bad that it would have nearly ruined any other meeting I ever attended. But it did not seem to discourage anybody very much, and I feel safe in saying that I never saw the brethren leave a camp-meeting in better feeling than this. Cheerfulness, hope, and courage, generally prevailed. They feel that the cause is onward, and they are determined to have a part in it. The people made sacrifices in attending this meeting, coming long distances with teams, some from the extreme north-eastern part of the State, some from the south-eastern part, and some from Nebraska. The camp-ground was more central than any we ever had in the State before. But there were not many Sabbath-keepers near. The preaching was practical and searching, designed to impress upon the people the importance of illustrating their faith by works and taking that broad view of the work which the Bible gives it, viz., a world-wide message of warning of the great day of wrath. Is our message a true one? Then it is the most important the world has ever heard. Probation is soon to close. The righteous are to be gathered home, and all the wicked of the earth are to be slain. How important, then, that we bestir ourselves as a people. These things were dwelt upon largely, and the people seemed to feel the importance of the work as I have never seen them before. They showed this by their works; for when an appeal was made for means to sustain the new printing enterprise on the Pacific Coast, now being established by Bro. White, upward of three thousand dollars were subscribed. Upward of two thousand five hundred were also subscribed in shares and donations for the Health Institute at Battle Creek, and about five hundred for the purchase of a new tent for the Iowa and Nebraska Conference, so that probably they will have four tents running the coming season. We confess surprise at the readiness with which the friends of the cause subscribed for the various enterprises. More than this six thousand dollars could have been obtained, as the people had a heart to give. Monday night, we were glad to greet sister White, who came east to attend camp-meetings, while Bro. White remains in California to attend to the important work of establishing the printing work on that coast. Tuesday morning, as she spoke of the good work going on there and of the importance of taking broad views of the work, the hearts of the people were touched, tears flowed freely, and all hearts beat in unison with this forward movement of the Lord’s servants. We are sure our people will feel thus all through the land. After these remarks, the people desired to subscribe more for this good object than they had previously, and about eight hundred dollars additional were pledged, making up the sum above mentioned. Bro. White need have no fears but that our people will rally to his support and raise all the means he needs to put this enterprise on a solid basis. The business proceedings of the Conference were of much interest. Nine new churches were admitted, making a total membership of 850, with S. S. amounting to $287.60. When we consider all the past workings of the cause in the State, and the absence of some of the older laborers, the growth of the Conference is exceedingly encouraging. The brethren and sisters are heartily united. Not a jar of dissension exists among them concerning the great principles of the present truth. The tract and missionary work is moving right forward, largely increasing each quarter, as the reader will see by the reports of its proceedings. Some of the young men begin to feel the burden of the work, and are moving out to labor for God. This is encouraging. Bro. C. A. Washburn and Charles L. Boyd were set apart to the ministry by the laying on of hands. The Spirit of the Lord came down with great power, as if witnessing to the work. Oh, how anxious we are to see those whom God can use move out in the cause. The Spirit of the Lord is moving upon hearts here and there to work for him, and we are glad to see some respond. While there will probably be four tents running in the State the coming season, most of those laboring with them will be young in experience. It now seems probable that Bro. R. M. Kilgore will be called away from the State to labor in New England, where two tents are lying idle. Iowa means to show her gratitude for the help she has received in days of adversity, though she could afford employment for hundreds of laborers, and regrets to part with any who can bring souls to the truth. Our religious meetings were good. Quite a number made a start for the first time. Some twenty-five were baptized. The Lord be praised for our good camp-meeting. Its influence will be most encouraging upon the cause in the State. We expect the work to move forward with greater power in the State than ever before. When the friends feel that interest which they have manifested, how can we but hope for the cause to move onward. May God still prosper the Iowa Conference. GEO. I. BUTLER.