CAMP-MEETING AT APPLETON CITY, MO.
By George I. Butler
The circumstances at the commencement of this meeting were more discouraging than those of any other meeting I ever attended, but it finally turned out to be about the best meeting I ever attended in the State of Missouri. Our new tent did not come as we expected, so we were forced to fall back on the old forty-foot tent. There had been such incessant rains and the prospect was so poor that the brethren could get there, that we seriously thought of giving up the camp-meeting, and pitching the tent in the village and lecturing to the few who came out. Finally, we thought there might be forty or fifty out, and we would have a meeting in the grove. It rained every day till Sunday, and poured down Friday; but all were good natured. There were nearly a hundred Sabbath-keepers present Sabbath, and there would have been as many more probably if circumstances had been favorable. The same person who troubled us so much in Kansas was present, with his “holiness” to exhibit to those who didn’t want any of that sort; but he found no sympathizers among our people at this meeting. After a unanimous vote Sabbath that they did not want to hear him, he left at once for Gallatin and Minnesota, at which camp-meetings he says he shall present his message again. After he left, the meetings were excellent. The goodness of the meeting did not consist in its numbers, but in the good spirit of love, union, and encouragement which prevailed among our people. There were no jarring elements among them. The melting Spirit of the Lord came in with power several times, and all our hearts were touched. Quite a number came forward for prayers on Monday. Six were baptized. All were greatly encouraged. Our meetings were more spiritual than those in Kansas. My heart was greatly encouraged to see that a different spirit was working into the Conference. Quite a number of young men and women are taking hold in earnest, and are getting imbued with the real spirit of the message. There is a great waking up on the T. and M. work. We had a sort of school for instruction in making out reports, and other work connected with the society, and Bro. Hunter, our acting secretary, gave much good instruction. The four hundred copies of the SIGNS that come to this State are doing much good. I did not hear of any who were sorry they had been induced to take clubs of the SIGNS. Interested readers are found in all directions. Our $1000 tract and missionary fund, which we commenced to raise last winter to pay off our indebtedness to the offices and set our society upon its feet, received an additional subscription of nearly $300 at this meeting, though the brethren are poor in this part of the State and the meeting was small. This was done cheerfully and with the best of feeling. We expect to raise this fund sure. We hope to see Missouri, instead of being the farthest behind of any of the T. and M. societies, coming up abreast of them and vying with them in the good work of God. Bro. Haskell’s visit here last winter was a great help in starting this work; it helped more, probably, than anything I have done. We took up a great deal of time in talking of this branch of the work, and also spoke on S. B. and health reform. It was all well received. More was done at this meeting to advance the interests of these branches of the work than I could have done in three months, by going around to every little church. It does the brethren good to take pains to come together, and spend a few days in seeking God. Many spoke of their gratitude for this privilege. This amount of time saved I can now use in lecturing and bringing souls into the truth. We all feel the cause is rising in Southern Missouri. We thank God, and take courage. The labors of Bro. Farnsworth were greatly blessed of God, and he has a warm place in the hearts of the brethren. Our outside attendance was not large, but toward the last the interest increased. GEO. I. BUTLER. Sedalia, Mo., June 4, 1878.