THE NEW YORK CAMP-MEETING.
By Uriah Smith
We are still held to the pleasant task of writing encouraging words concerning the gatherings of our people the present season. The meeting just held at Rome, N. Y., Sept. 7-12, will compare favorably with any which have been held this year. Forty-one tents composed the canvas village. About five hundred were encamped upon the ground. The attendance from without was considerable. On Sunday forenoon about 1500 were present; and in the afternoon when Bro. and Sr. White both addressed the people, there were, it is estimated, 3500 listeners. Great freedom was enjoyed by the speakers. One of the best meetings ever held was the meeting Sabbath afternoon. Sister White spoke. At the conclusion, an appeal was made to sinners and backsliders. Under the earnest exhortations of herself and Bro. White, something like two hundred and fifty came forward. So general a move plainly showed the state of feeling in the congregation. The Spirit of the Lord was present in power. Many of those who had come forward bore an earnest testimony, expressing their determination to draw nearer to God and live a better life. The social meetings during the whole time, were seasons of interest and freedom. It was good to witness the hope, courage and good cheer of the brethren in this precious cause. The new converts to the faith, who have come out in Rome, under the labors of Bro. Canright in the tent, the present summer, were cheered and strengthened by the meeting. One feature of the occasion, too much neglected at camp-meetings, is worthy of special mention. We refer to the steps taken to make the place pleasant and attractive. At the main entrance was placed an arch on which was inscribed in large letters, “Seventh-day Adventist Camp-meeting.” At either side were smaller entrances, over one of which were these words: “Here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus;” and over the other side, “Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus.” And the whole was nicely festooned with evergreens. This was calculated to make a good impression on the stranger at once; and many were the favorable comments it elicited. Passing in, near the entrance at the right, was hung in a conspicuous place a plan of the ground in a neat frame covered with a glass, showing the name and location of each tent, speaker’s stand, seats for congregation, &c. This would show that order and system were observed in all the arrangements. The book stand was surmounted with an arch bearing this inscription: “Buy the truth and sell it not.” By the side of this stand was hung in a frame, the production of Bro. E. W. Whitney, displaying great ingenuity in both design and workmanship, a copy of the Bird’s-eye View of the Great Field of Prophecy, on one side, and in the other, the reverse side of the sheet, giving the full catalogue of publications issued at this Office. This attracted much attention from the crowd present. In the rear of the book stand was a tent used as the head-quarters of the Camp-meeting Committee. The stand was the same as last year, nicely arranged, as then, the roof extending forward so as to cover the entire platform in front of the desk. On Monday, Bro. White had good freedom in presenting the subject of baptism. Sixteen candidates were then examined, to whom the rite was administered by Bro. Cottrell in the waters of the Mohawk River, near by. In the afternoon, sister White gave her closing discourse, deeply impressing the people with her solemn words, and raising them to a high state of joy and expectation, as she presented before them the picture of the saint’s future reward. We left the ground before the Conference had completed its sessions, so that we cannot tell what steps were taken for the advancement of the cause in the New York and Pa. Conference, the coming year. But this meeting has proved a success, and the brethren are encouraged. The brethren pledged over fifteen hundred dollars for a meeting-house in Rome. This with what the church there raise will give them a three thousand dollar house, which they will erect immediately.