THE MISSOURI CAMP-MEETING.
By C. W. Stone
This meeting was held on the fair-ground, less than a mile from the city of Sedalia, Sept. 4 to 10. The location had not the advantage of any shade trees, but in most other respects it was very good, the best that could be obtained. The tents were arranged around the circular inclosure of the auditorium, with the tent of the congregation in the center. The floral hall and other buildings were converted into dwellings for those who came without tents. I arrived at the camp Thursday morning, and found Elds. Butler and Hollenbeck at their post in the morning meeting. Eld. Haskell arrived the next morning. The attendance of strangers was not so large as might have been expected, and the number of our brethren present was not large, yet nearly every church was represented. Some drove their teams over one hundred and fifty miles to attend this meeting, and several of the brethren walked from seventy to a hundred and twenty-five miles. Scarcity of money and anxiety to attend the meeting prompted such efforts. The corn crop, on which much depends in Missouri, is proving very light on account of drought, though the wheat crop was excellent. In the course of the meeting the interests of the Sabbath-school were considered. Fifteen delegates were present, representing twelve churches and three hundred and seventy-one scholars. A State Association was formed, and a delegate chosen to represent the Association at the General Conference. A good interest in this work seems already to have been developed. Special attention was given to the missionary work. Eld. Haskell's discourses upon this important branch of the cause, while they were calculated to give valuable practical ideas of how to do the work, were intended more especially to convert the heart to the work. This seems to be commencing at the right end. The first thing is to have a will, and, according to the old adage, the way will be forthcoming. His sermons could not fail to inspire the heart with faith in the work, and a desire to have a part in it. Reports showed that under the labors and management of Eld. Butler, who has taken much interest in the tract-society work in the Conference, this work has attained a very encouraging degree of prosperity. These reports showed that since Eld. Haskell's visit to the State six months ago, over one hundred thousand pages of tracts have been distributed. The people have pledged $800 for a tract fund, to be paid by January 1, 1879. That, with $200 more which they design to raise, making $1000, will pay all their indebtedness, and leave a balance in the treasury to be used as a tract fund. In addition to this, they have taken over 400 copies of the Signs, all of which are paid for on the monthly installment plan. Their payments have been promptly made to the Signs office quarterly. The general testimony was that many more papers might have been used if they could have been paid for. From the beginning of the meeting, a spirit of union and harmony prevailed, and on Sabbath afternoon there was a general breaking down before the Lord. Eighty came forward for prayers. Many of them in tears confessed their sins and expressed a desire to enlist in the service of God; and as we all knelt in prayer, the melting Spirit of the Lord seemed to rest down in power. After a little intermission, the people gathered for worship at the close of the Sabbath. Prayer was offered, and a short time was occupied in social meeting. It was a scene long to be remembered. The testimonies were of a triumphant nature, and filled with acknowledgments of the blessing of God and of peace found in drawing nearer to the Lord. About forty had embraced the Sabbath in Sedalia this summer, thirty-five of whom had signed the covenant. Many of these were among those seeking the Lord during this meeting. On Monday eighteen were baptized. All were united in pronouncing this the best camp-meeting ever held in Missouri. When we consider the past condition of things there, and certain existing elements which are so detrimental to vital piety, it is not difficult to see in the present condition of harmony and spiritual prosperity that the Lord has greatly blessed the labors of Eld. Butler during the past year. They lacked quite a number of hundred dollars of having means enough to pay their ministers. About $200 was pledged at this meeting, a portion of which was paid. It was thought best, in view of the financial condition of those present, not to urge the claims of the English mission and other branches of the work, but to leave these matters to be taken up by the officers of the tract society. This will be attended to.