p. 118 | MISSOURI by George I. Butler

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 11, 1877

MISSOURI

By George I. Butler

Nevada City, Oct. 1.

This might be called a camp-meeting on a small scale, though not originally intended as such by my appointment. The brethren in that section were desirous of having a general meeting, and telegraphed an appointment for a tent-meeting, pitched the forty-foot tent in a grove on the skirts of the town, and invited the brethren to come out. Meetings commenced Wednesday night, and continued till Sunday night. Those living near did not expect day meetings till Sabbath; but Wednesday about thirty brethren and sisters came from a distance, quite a number from Avilla, fifty miles away, and we improved the time by holding continuous meetings, camp-meeting style. Sabbath there were from seventy-five to one hundred Sabbath-keepers present, which was considerably more than attended the general camp-meeting of the Conference last June. Only two tents were pitched for camping; but there were fifteen or twenty covered wagons on the ground, in which the people lodged, Western style. It was really most encouraging to see the people come together with so little notice, though there were many more who might have come.

The Lord gave freedom in speaking, especially Sabbath. The hearts of these brethren began to warm up, particularly those who were there from the beginning. The Holy Spirit worked upon hearts, and the ice began to melt. Sabbath afternoon, after the preaching, we had an excellent social meeting. Many spoke, and made solemn vows to live nearer to God, and expressed great gratitude for the encouragement and light they had received at the meeting. After all who seemed inclined to do so had spoken, an appeal was made to those who had never started, or who had greatly backslidden, to come forward. Nearly twenty responded, some of whom in broken accents declared their determination to give themselves to the Lord. We were all greatly encouraged; and we thought another good day would so deepen the work that great and permanent good would be accomplished.

The next morning we presented the subject of raising a tent and a camp-meeting fund, to pay off the debt of $80 which had accrued at the last camp-meeting, and to purchase two new tents for next season. Two hundred dollars were subscribed without difficulty. The brethren acted freely and did fully as much as we expected them to do. We talked freely and earnestly concerning the agencies the Lord has used in building up this work, and the great health movement, concerning which the Sabbath-keepers in this Conference are very backward. Our remarks were well received, and seemed to make an impression.

All seemed to feel the meeting was progressing excellently up to noon Sunday, when some thought they must go home. Just about half left. This nearly destroyed the interest. From that time but little could be done. I was intending to try to carry the work further, hoping the good impressions which had been made upon those who had recently started might be deepened; but so many leaving completely broke the interest. This was very sad to me, especially as some of our most experienced brethren participated in the movement. Our brethren will have to learn to pursue a different course about attending our meetings, if they ever see the cause rise in Missouri. When we take pains to come together, and things are prospering well, and the Lord by his Spirit is affecting hearts, it is no small matter for our old Sabbath-keepers to take the responsibility of leaving at the most critical point, and thus hindering the work. Of course they do not design to do this; but that is the inevitable result. Our camp-meetings cannot accomplish much, unless our brethren will come at the commencement and stay till the close. All the expense, burden, and care are had, and the good effect is lost. We cannot afford this. I was really glad that all did not take this course. Our Avilla brethren, though nearly the whole church came, with the distance greatest of all, staid till the close of the meeting, while those living a few hours’ drive from Nevada City could hardly stay over the Sabbath. But we will be thankful that some good was done, and hope for improvement hereafter.

We greatly regretted the sickness of Bro. Hunter, the Conference secretary, who lives at this place. Though convalescent, yet he was unable to attend a single meeting. Bro. Wood assisted in preaching: spoke three times. I spoke twelve times. We can but hope that much good will grow out of this meeting in the future. Next comes our camp-meeting at Winstonville, commencing Thursday. May the Lord bless his work. GEO. I. BUTLER.