A GENERAL CAMP-MEETING FOR KANSAS.
By Smith Sharp
At the request of the president of our Conference, I will say a few words concerning the general camp-meeting for Kansas, which has been appointed at Richland, Shawnee county, Oct. 24-29, 1878. I have very much desired to see this meeting called, believing that the cause will be greatly advanced by it. At our last Conference, very many were in favor of holding our regular camp-meetings in the fall; these persons can now be accommodated. Many who could not attend in the spring can come in the fall. The season will be so advanced that the press of business on the farm will be past. At our camp-meetings, when the Conference is held in connection with them, there is so much business to call the attention of the ministers and many of the leading brethren, that the spiritual interests of the meeting are neglected; here we will have an opportunity to devote the time exclusively to the worship of God, to labor for sinners, and to seeking a nearness to God. I expect it will be just such a meeting as I have long wanted to attend, and just the meeting we all need to attend. The location is the very best we could obtain for a meeting so late in the season. The Richland church is the largest in the Conference, and consequently the best able to make arrangements to accommodate the large number of our people that we expect will attend. They also have the largest meeting-house in the State. Hay, straw, corn, and provisions of all kinds, are very plenty in that section. A good location well protected by the timber has been selected. The large tent will be pitched, and this, with the meeting-house to use in case of very bad weather, will be all that is necessary. Our brethren there will make preparations for, and expect, a very large gathering of our people. Richland is almost twelve miles south of Topeka, which makes it inconveniently distant from the railroad; this is the only objection that any one can urge against the location. But as the wagon roads are excellent to that point, and as five regular passenger trains arrive in Topeka from all directions about two o’clock P. M., by having teams meet those trains all can arrive at the ground in a short time after they reach Topeka. The president of the General Conference authorizes us to say that the General Conference Committee promise to furnish “plenty of good help” for this meeting. He says the “name of Eld. Haskell, Butler, or Smith” may be mentioned. At one time he thought that he and Sr. White would attend, but this we cannot promise. We expect that in many respects this will be the most important meeting ever held in Kansas, especially for the tract and missionary work. Brethren, shall we be there? Let us make arrangements to attend. The roads and weather are usually good until late in the fall; provisions are cheap. Let us bring tents, overcoats, and plenty of bedding, and come to help make this meeting a success. SMITH SHARP.