A CAMP-MEETING IN NORTHERN MISSOURI.
By George I. Butler
After carefully considering the condition of the cause here, and consulting with many of the brethren in this section, we have concluded it would be well to close up the tent season with a camp-meeting and a general gathering of the friends of the cause in Northern and Central Missouri, and as many others as choose to come. On account of the extreme wet weather, the hurry of planting, and the bad roads, our camp-meeting was very small last June. Many circumstances had a tendency to make it a season of great anxiety and perplexity, though we feel, on the whole, it was a profitable meeting. But very few, comparatively of the friends of the cause were present in this section. Past failures of crops made it very hard to obtain means with which to go. This fall things will be much more favorable. Crops are quite good; fruit and grain quite plenty. We greatly need a stirring and inspiring meeting to rouse our dormant energies, quicken our zeal, and to bring into our hearts more of the religion of Jesus. We are suffering greatly because of our lack of these good things. The reports are most inspiring. In most parts of the field, the cause is advancing as never before. This is soul-cheering. What are the causes which hinder its progress in Missouri? We want to tell the people what the causes are, that a better state of things may be reached. And here comes the difficulty. There are few large churches in this Conference. But many little companies and lone families are scattered here and there, and it would take six months to visit all these singly. It is very important, therefore, to have a large meeting, where many of these can be brought together and hear the stirring message that God has given for these last days. These little companies and lone Sabbath-keepers greatly need such help; the cause in Northern Missouri needs it; and if God's good providence will permit, we will have such a meeting. The Prairie Valley church, the largest and strongest in the Conference, have generously offered to supply all the feed for teams for our brethren who come from a distance, and to care for those who may need care. They have also offered to bring those who come on the railroad to the place of meeting. The season will be rather late, and the nights may be cool. It will be safest to have the meeting near a large church, so that if the weather should be bad provision could be made for the comfort of the feeble. We have therefore concluded to have the camp-ground on the place of Bro. Mallory, where meetings have been held before. This meeting will be held mainly to benefit our people, and to encourage the hearts of the scattered ones, who have not the opportunity often of hearing preaching. We cannot now announce the exact time for this meeting, as we cannot tell when we can have the tent; but it will not be far from the first of October. Let all of our brethren remember this is to be a camp-meeting, not merely a tent-meeting. Many of the Prairie Valley church will camp on the ground. We want to see a general rally of our brethren through all the central and northern parts of the Conference, and as many others as can consistently come. We expect this will be much the largest camp-meeting ever held in the State. The season of the year will be favorable; the weather and roads in this section are usually good at this time; farm work will not be driving; and the people need a general gathering. It will be the time for a general quarterly meeting of the Tract and Missionary Society; and we want to take a new start in this important work. Come, brethren and sisters in Missouri, make your plans to attend this meeting. Break up your old habits of staying at home, and rally anew to the work. Let us pray to God mightily to raise the cloud that has so long hung over this great State. Let us come determined to drink anew at the fountain of truth. The Lord is coming. The work is advancing. Let us not lag behind. More next week. GEO. I. BUTLER, Pres. Mo. Conf.