CAMP-MEETING AT MAGOG, P. Q.
By George J. Butler
I REACHED the ground Thursday night, after considerable delay in making connections. On account of rainy weather, preparations would permit but one service before the commencement of the Sabbath. It rained every day but the last during the meeting; not enough to stop our work, but enough to make it quite unpleasant. Some fifteen tents were pitched, and upwards of ninety Sabbath-keepers were present a part of the time. Over seventy of these were from Canada, others from Vermont. This was the first S. D. A. camp-meeting ever held in the Province; and many of the brethren were young in the faith, and did not realize the great importance of coming at the beginning and staying till the close. The interest was much marred by many going home Sunday. Indeed, only about sixty were encamped on the ground for any length of time, as many came in late, and others went home early. This is a most unpleasant feature in a camp-meeting. Elders A. C. Bourdeau, Hutchins, and myself were all the ministers present. We had a fine grove for our meeting, which the brethren had prepared with much labor. The scenery around the pleasant village of Magog, which lies at the northern extremity of lake Memphremagog, is very beautiful. The people in the vicinity were friendly and accommodating. I enjoyed the privilege of meeting Eld. Dow of the first-day Adventists, whom I used to meet at my father's house in Waterbury, Vt., some twenty-five or thirty years ago, when he first began to preach. He attended most all of our services, and we formed a most pleasant acquaintance. He is the president of their Conference in P. Q. and northern Vermont. We were glad to find him still loving the precious truths of the advent near, and so candid and friendly in spirit. On Sunday there was an excursion train on the railroad, and quite a fair attendance. The congregations seemed candid and attentive. Sabbath morning we had an interesting Sabbath-school, directed by Eld. A. C. Bourdeau. Owing to the lateness of the commencement of the meeting, the spiritual interests were not as far advanced by the Sabbath as they usually are in our camp-meetings. A shower closed up our afternoon services prematurely, so that we could do little in the way of reaching sinners and backsliders. Monday, the Lord helped in the preaching, and a most solemn spirit pervaded the meeting. I should judge that near two-thirds of those present expressed a desire for prayers. Many hearts were made tender and serious. God's blessing was present in power. We greatly regretted that so many had gone home. We gave the subject of health and temperance quite extensive consideration, and Sunday morning took pledges. We obtained in all some sixty teetotal pledges, which I think was the largest percentage of those present I have seen in any meeting I have attended. Thirty-five of these paid the initiation fee. We formed a temperance society for the Province of Quebec. Bro. A. C. Bourdeau was elected president. I feel more than ever satisfied that there is light and the blessing of God in this temperance movement; and those who are holding back from it are surely setting their faces in the wrong direction. God's Spirit came into our meeting as we talked of these things. The Province of Quebec, formerly a part of the Vermont Conference, is now considered a mission field under the supervision of the General Conference, but with hardly sufficient strength to organize into a Conference. It was therefore thought to be expedient to form a sort of provisional association to act in the meanwhile, so as to divide the responsibility among several of the brethren who should take oversight of the work, under the direction of the General Conference Committee. The S. D. A. Association of the Province of Quebec was formed. A committee of three with a secretary, who should also act as treasurer, was elected. Bro. A. C. Bourdeau, Claxton, and Hammond were elected such committee; and Sr. Hammond was chosen secretary. There seems to be a good degree of interest to hear the truth in this Province. The people are poor, and times are hard, and those who labor there will have to work with a spirit of sacrifice; but evidently God has a people there. Our meeting broke up Tuesday morning with an excellent spirit, and all who had remained were full of expressions of gratitude for the benefits received at the meeting, and went home full of high resolves to be more faithful in the future.