SHALL WE RETAIN THE BLESSING?
By A. S. Hutchins
That our recent camp-meeting was a source of great blessing to our churches, and the brethren and sisters generally, is well attested. Shall we by watchfulness and prayer retain these blessings from the Lord? The postponement of the meeting three weeks secured many more hearers than we otherwise should have had. And beyond our most ardent expectations, we were favored with help to preach the word. Truly, God is good. We were much cheered by the presence and help of Bro. and sister White, though we sorrowed at the low state of Bro. W.'s health; but we trust the everlasting arms of the Most High are around him, and that he will be raised to his usual health. We were thankful that Brn. Smith and Haskell, and others could be with them, and speak the word of life to the assembled multitude. The sermon of sister White on Sunday P. M. made a favorable and, we trust, permanent impression for good upon the minds of some six thousand persons who attentively listened to her as she spoke with freedom and great power. How many became settled on the Sabbath question as connected with the third angel's message at this meeting, we cannot state, but it is certain that several noble minds did. The presence of Bro. and sister Eastman from New Hampshire, with their solid testimonies, and understanding reception of the truth, and that of Bro. Beckwith, from West Fairlee, gave interest to the meeting. The sermon of Bro. Beckwith on Monday evening from the words, “Hear ye him,” showed a well studied and thorough understanding of the connection of the law and the gospel, of the harmonious union of the Father and the Son in the work of salvation under this dispensation. This view as contrasted with the discordant and unscriptural doctrine of the abolition of the law of God at the introduction of the present dispensation, shone forth in its excellence and beauty as he spoke. Dear brethren and sisters, we may hold these blessings, and continue to grow in grace.