THE CAMP-MEETING IN NEBRASKA.
By George I. Butler
As the time for this meeting is drawing nearer, I wish again to call the attention of the friends in Western Iowa and Nebraska to it, hoping they are making their plans to be present. Although the committee chosen to locate the ground have not yet designated the exact spot, we know it will be in the immediate vicinity of Blair; so all can be making their plans to come. This is, perhaps, under all the circumstances, the most central spot we could select. Some have suggested two general gatherings, one in Iowa and the other in Nebraska. This would, no doubt, accommodate many more; but it is too late in the season to think of holding two camp-meetings this fall. Indeed, it is rather late for one; but it is the best we can do, under the circumstances. We do not, of course, expect this will be such a camp-meeting as the general one held at Marshalltown, or those held under the direction of the General Conference further east. We cannot expect anything like so large an attendance of our own people, or of outsiders. The western country is not so thickly settled, and our people are much more scattered. But it can be made a season of great profit and interest if our people here will make a special effort to rally, and will realize the wants of the cause. There are a great many who have come into the truth within the last few years, who have never had the benefit of a general meeting, and who could not, unless one was held in this section. There are little companies of from one to half a dozen families who love the truth, and are clinging to it, who cannot expect much help from the living preacher, because we have not a sufficient number in the field to send them where there are so few. These need help and instruction. Many of them can come out to this meeting if they will only think so, and make a sufficient effort. The Conference will be at considerable expense in holding this meeting. It will be done solely to encourage the work in this new country. This meeting will be something of an experiment, and future labor here will depend somewhat upon the course our brethren pursue in attending this meeting. If they show little appreciation of this effort made for their help, of course we shall not hereafter hope to do them much good by appointing another. We want our brethren in Nebraska to realize that this is especially their meeting. This is the first general meeting ever held in your State. We want it to start off with life and interest, so that it shall be a great source of strength to you. Iowa has spent considerable money in sending labor to your State. We shall know you appreciate it if you make a special effort to carry forward the work now so well begun. Western Iowa will want the privilege of meeting with you, and we hope to see a large number out from that section. You are young in this cause, and now you have an opportunity of learning from the most experienced laborers we have in the Conference. Many of you are poor, and have suffered losses from grasshoppers and other causes. But you are used to camp-life and exposures; so take your teams and come to this meeting, and make up for your sad losses in this world by getting a firmer hold on a better one. Let your afflictions drive you to the Lord. We hope you will find sympathizing brethren who have a true interest in your welfare. You will want labor in your own localities. Come out to this meeting and make your wants known to your Conference Committee, who will be present. Come, brethren and sisters of Nebraska, we are to hold the first general meeting ever held between the Missouri River and the Rocky Mountains, in your State, and we want to see many of you. We hope other meetings will follow, and that they will be larger and larger every year till the Lord comes. We will trust the Lord for his rich blessing. There will be opportunity for baptism. Bring your bedding and provisions, and be prepared for chilly nights. We hope our ministering brethren in this western field will use their influence to secure a good attendance. We hope to see some present from Dakota. It is not more distant than many places in Iowa and Nebraska from which we hope to see our friends come. Let us all go to this meeting pleading with God for his blessing.