CAMP-MEETING AT FAIRFIELD, IOWA.
By Geo. I. Butler
Fairfield, Iowa, a pleasant town of several thousand inhabitants, situated at the crossing of the C. B. & Q. and S. W. branch of the C. R. I. and P. Railroads, was chosen as the place for the first of our three Iowa camp-meetings this year. Lectures were once given here, and there was a society of our people here eight or ten years ago, several families still remaining faithful to the cause. Nineteen family and church tents were pitched, besides the two large tents, one of which furnished camping room for many. About three hundred camped on the ground. Some of our churches turned out remarkably, fifty-six being present from Mt. Pleasant, forty-six from Sigourney, etc. We had a beautiful ground about half a mile from the square, with a pleasant grove and nice sod. The weather was much against us. It rained, I think, every day for five days, before the last day of the meeting. Sunday we had perhaps 1200 people on the ground, who gave excellent attention. Had the weather been favorable we should have had a large crowd. Our canvassers did well Sunday in obtaining 15 subscribers for REVIEW, 24 for Good Health, 4 for the Signs, 11 for the Instructor, and 68 for the College Record; in all, 122. The Lord helped in preaching. Bro. Hollenbeck rendered acceptable service in preaching and in the music. We were glad to have father Stephen Pierce with us. His cheering testimonies were much appreciated by the brethren. Our devotional meetings were good, especially toward the last. On Monday we had a most precious season. Nearly half of the congregation were forward for prayers, and quite a number made a start for the first time. The Lord came very near to us, and many hearts were melted in love and tenderness. Some of our children made a start for the kingdom. Twenty-two were baptized in a beautiful pond near the ground. Most of these have started within a few months, and a goodly number at this meeting. It was one of the most pleasant baptisms I ever participated in. Our T. and M. work was considered, and several hundred dollars subscribed to the reserve fund, also some to the tent and camp-meeting fund. We had an interesting Sabbath-school, in which nearly all participated. Our State is making good advancement in the Sabbath-school work. We had about three hours’ talk on the health and temperance subjects, and Monday morning we obtained about one hundred and fifty signers to the teetotal pledge. A good advance was made in this direction, and its influence will be felt. Altogether this was an excellent meeting, and it left a good impression on believers and unbelievers. Outsiders offered a good sum toward expenses if we would stay with the tent and hold lectures. The people were evidently favorably impressed, and I believe this will be a good point for future labor. Many of our own people came to this meeting who never attend our large annual gatherings, and they were deeply affected by it. I feel sure the time will come when we shall have many more camp-meetings than we have now, and thus reach many more than can be induced to attend the annual meetings. In our closing meeting held about 4 A. M. Tuesday morning, it was refreshing to hear expressions of gratitude from the people for the benefits of this camp-meeting. We felt much encouraged to labor on in the good cause of God. Truly the Lord is good to us, and we hope to see the cause greatly benefited by our three camp-meetings in Iowa this season. Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, June 18, 1879.