Camp-Meeting in Eureka, Cal.
By Editor
CONSIDERING that the cause is so new in Humboldt County the attendance was good at the Eureka camp-meeting. The number camping upon the ground was nearly 100. Some in the city of Eureka lived at their homes. As it was in the season of haying in that county, some were necessarily detained at their homes. The brethren counted up fifty Sabbath-keepers in the county who did not attend. We think some of them might have attended had they made a strong effort; but some were new in the faith, and probably did not realize the difference between our camp-meetings and others. Hereafter this will not be the case. The meeting was truly a good one—all that we could hope for. Early prayer-meeting as usual, at 5:30. At 8, prayers in companies in the tents. At 9, instruction was given in Sabbath-school work, class records, etc., and in church records, and questions were answered. At 10:30 each morning, except Sabbath and Sunday, Bible-lessons were given on the prophecies, the Sanctuary, and the Atonement. At 2:30 and 7:45 P. M. preaching. At 5 P. M. there was also instruction on special subjects, or meetings for the young; and at 6, meetings for the children. It might seem that these were too many meetings to be profitable, but they were so varied as not to be at all tedious. The interest in all the exercises increased from the beginning to the close. Sabbath-school was held upon the ground each Sabbath; the first was good, though but little time was afforded for preparation. Seventy-seven were in attendance. The editor of the SIGNS acted as superintendent, and reviewed the senior division; Elder E. R. Jones took charge of the B division, and Elder Loughborough of the C division. Sister Ella Baxter acted as secretary. The contributions amounted to $5.05. The second Sabbath the organization was improved; more classes were formed. There were ninety-six members; seven classes in the A, two in the B, and four in the C division—thirteen classes in all. It was a model school for order, and might be so considered in every respect, for scholars and teachers brought together from so many different places, and most of them having but a limited experience. The contributions amounted to $10.95, making $16 for both schools, all of which was given to the State Association. The children's meetings were under the charge of Elder Loughborough, assisted by others as he chose and did much to benefit the meeting as a whole by fixing the minds of the children on sacred things. The interest in them increased from the first. On the afternoon of the last Sabbath twenty-seven came forward for prayers; of these eleven were baptized in the bay on Monday morning, and a few others were received into the church, having previously been baptized. It was voted to have a camp-meeting in Humboldt County next year, and that a camp-meeting fund be raised for that part of the State. For this purpose $393 were subscribed, and $74.50 paid down. This is as it should be; it will secure the camp-meeting, and save trouble and expense to the Conference, by keeping in that county much material which would otherwise need to be shipped from Oakland each year. It should be the same in Nevada and in Los Angeles County. We do not know that we ever attended a meeting of this kind which gave greater satisfaction to the brethren and sisters than this one in Eureka. All appreciate the instruction given on the various subjects. The class exercises on Bible subjects were conducted by Elder Loughborough and the editor of the SIGNS; black-board instructions to church clerks were given by Elder Loughborough and illustrations of Sabbath-school records by the editor. Questions on Sabbath-school work were answered by all the ministers present. The closing meeting, August 10, was a service of praise, and a good season. Though, during most of the time of the camp-meeting, we suffered greatly with an ulcerated tooth, we had special cause for thanksgiving that we were enabled to keep up our writing for the SIGNS and do our full share of work in the meetings. After another smooth sea passage we arrived in Oakland, Thursday, August 13, accompanied by Brn. Loughborough and E. R. Jones, who will go to the Nevada camp-meeting, which begins August 27.