The Ohio Camp-Meeting by Joseph Clarke

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 21, 1875

The Ohio Camp-Meeting.

By Joseph Clarke

This meeting, just closed, has been a very profitable and interesting season. It was attended by Elds. U. Smith, D. M. Canright, H. A. St. John, and T. J. Butler, all of whom took a noble, manly, and Christian part in the exercises. Indeed, so well was this meeting sustained that little was left to regret; for the Lord himself set his seal to the entire meeting, and we felt that the third angel’s message is losing none of its power, but is rising every day, and month, and year. It would be as impossible to describe this meeting as it would be to paint a sunbeam; but it was the result of union of sentiment, union of effort, union of labor, union of heart, and purity of principle.

If any one feature was more marked than any other, it was the fact that God was helping our young ministers in their preaching, and that they were, without exception, improving their talents, and becoming stronger and more effective in their calling.

The attendance was not quite as large as last year, but still there was a general representation, and all present had a heart to work. The attendance from the country around was quite large, and on Sunday it numbered some three thousand interested hearers. The impression made by the preaching was powerful, and it was good; and while error was attacked in its stronghold, and made to lie lifeless and cold, no offense was taken, and much prejudice was removed.

The instruction given on all subjects of church order and management was good and timely. The keeping of proper records in a proper manner, the modes of doing the work of the church, indeed, everything received its proper share of attention. No time was lost, except by those who occasionally were absent.

The subjects preached upon were the prophecies, which were lucidly, yet briefly and tersely, explained. The gifts of the church and the graces necessary to form a symmetrical Christian character were dwelt upon, and the subjects of the sanctuary, the moral law, and the papal Sabbath, were searchingly and logically examined. Not a sermon was lacking in eloquence and moral power; and the crowds of hearers from the country around were much interested, and left the grounds unwillingly. Many came again on Monday. This was a profitable day. Many went forward for prayers, and about thirty were baptized. The Spirit of the Lord moved upon hearts, and it was evident that the meeting had not been in vain.

Tuesday morning a farewell meeting was held, which proved to be unusually affecting and profitable. The brethren then departed on their homeward routes, taking with them the blessings of peace, and love, and harmony.

JOSEPH CLARKE.