Camp-Meeting in New York.
By George I. Butler
We reached the camp-ground, at Kirkville, Thursday morning, and found things in a good state of readiness. The meeting was larger by far than any I ever attended in that State before. Thirty-two tents were up, many of them large ones. I should judge this meeting was the third in size of those held the present season, Michigan and Iowa alone exceeding it. I should think six or seven hundred, or more, stayed on the ground most of the time. The brethren came on in season, and nearly all stayed through till the close, setting an excellent example in this respect. On Sunday there was a large crowd in attendance, numbering in the afternoon upwards of three thousand people. They maintained very good order through the day. As Eld. Haskell was detained in New England by pressing duties, and as Bro. White was detained in Battle Creek also, the principal labor fell upon sister White and myself. The people had expected Bro. White’s presence, and were much disappointed in his absence, but put up with it, seeing he was unable to come consistent with his views of duty to other parts of the work and with his own health. But the friends of the cause there would be much rejoiced could we visit them. The religious meetings were seasons of interest. The Lord gave good freedom in speaking his word. There has been a feeling of sadness and discouragement on the hearts of the people, because they have seen so little advancement made and so few coming into the truth as the result of ministerial labor. This great Conference has been gaining but little in numbers and financial strength for years in the past. But the T. & M. Society have infused new life into some parts of the work, and some of the lay brethren have been very sacrificing and zealous to work for the cause in this manner. But the discouraging effects upon the cause from so little being done is great. Our meetings started rather hard at first, but the people generally responded to the word spoken, and as the work advanced, the Spirit of the Lord came in. Sabbath was a day of great interest. I have seen no better meetings on the Sabbath at any of our camp-meetings the present season. Many came forward for prayers. God poured his Spirit upon us as their cases were presented to him, and those who came forward gave in most excellent testimonies of humble contrition, and expressed decided determinations to consecrate themselves to God. I have rarely attended so good a meeting. A large part of the afternoon was taken up, and when the general meeting was dismissed, the people were inclined to go to their tents and engage further in worship. There was one feature noticeable in this meeting which I think is worthy of being carried out more than it usually is. The time between the regular appointments is not usually as well employed as it should be. Visiting and chit chat usually take up too much time. The good and serious influence of the meetings is apt to be lost. Here is considerable time which might be well employed in seeking God by voluntary worship in the tents. Our camp-meetings cost a great deal. Our people take great pains in coming together, and incur much expense. We should make the most of these seasons for spiritual benefit. At this meeting there was more of this than I recollect to have seen in any other camp-meeting held among us. The good work seemed to take special hold of the ministers more than formerly. This certainly is a hopeful feature. Bro. C. B. Reynolds, whose credentials were withheld last year, made hearty confessions to his brethren and to God and consecrated himself to God. Bro. R. seems determined to do what he can to be in union with his brethren. They seemed glad to receive him, and we hope this will be the beginning of better days to him. Bro. R. may be useful in the cause if he is humble and faithful. His credentials were restored to him and he will doubtless labor again in presenting the truth to his fellow-men. We hope God may bless him. Sunday, when the matter of giving means was brought up and explained and the extent and nature of the work set before the brethren, there was a good degree of interest manifested. Fifteen men subscribed $100 each for the branch office on the Pacific Coast, and others presented their names whom we thought hardly able to give so much. Upwards of $2,200 were pledged on the Book Funds also, and a forty-foot tent was purchased for the Conference, besides, making a total of about $4,000 pledged for the cause at this meeting. The brethren feel very liberal toward the general interests of the cause. The State Conference voted $1,000 to the Gen. Conf. Fund, when I did not think of asking so much. They did it with a will. The brethren greatly desire to have the Gen. Conf. Committee remember them in the matter of labor, and are very anxious they should send them some good help for their encouragement. Noticing Bro. White’s suggestion that Bro. Canright might be sent to their help, they passed a resolution in their Conference cordially inviting such action. The brethren in New York are loyal to the cause, and good help should be sent as soon as can be done consistently. We were sorry that other duties obliged us to leave the ground Monday at 5 P. M., as there was much business crowded into that day, and as we left before Tuesday morning, Monday’s meeting was not made as important as it usually is for the spiritual good of the people. But it was the best we could do. But our camp-meeting on the whole was an excellent one, the best thus far of all the four last held. It was a success in many respects. May God greatly bless New York and make this the beginning of better days.