THE NEBRASKA CAMP-MEETING.
By George I. Butler
On account of poor railroad connections at Omaha, I was hindered over a day, and did not get to the Seward camp-meeting till Friday afternoon, Oct. 3. I found the meeting in progress. There were thirty-three small tents and two large ones pitched, and nearly two hundred and fifty of our people camped upon the ground. When we remember that a short time before they had held a camp-meeting in the southern part of the State with nearly one hundred and fifty of our people in attendance, we can see how the cause is growing in this new Conference, where a few years ago there was but a handful of Sabbath-keepers. I was glad to find among these friends many sensible, solid people, who will, I trust, be a help to the cause of God in the future. Nebraska is evidently an excellent field of labor. There was much disappointment that Bro. and Sr. White were not present; but our meetings were quite good. A goodly number came forward for prayers Sabbath and Monday, and a number were baptized. As it is in many of our camp-meetings, the time was wholly filled up with business, social, and preaching meetings. This afforded an excellent opportunity for those who had the charge of the meetings to become weary and worn with perplexing care, and of doing work that, we trust, will bear some fruit in the kingdom of God. This occasion had no special and striking features, but there was a readiness on the part of the people to have a hand in every good work presented before them. As usual, Sabbath morning we had a model Sabbath-school. A temperance society was formed, and many signed the pledge. Eld. Boyd had been working during the past summer in different parts of the State, and I understand that he had obtained about one hundred and fifty signers to the teetotal pledge. Many of these were present. At the close of the meeting all but a few had signed the pledge. One gentleman, a physician past middle age, an intelligent man of religious tendencies, a user of tobacco, coffee, etc., signed the teetotal pledge. He made some interesting remarks, in which he said he had always refused to sign the pledge before, and that this was the first real temperance pledge he had ever seen. It comprehended all intemperate practices and stimulants, which should be laid aside. Young Nebraska voted her tithe of s. B. to the General Conference,—$134.79. She seems to be determined to do her share in supporting the good cause. She has raised the larger part of her reserve fund of $1000, and at this meeting raised quite a number of pledges on the camp-meeting and tent fund. Bro. Geo. B. Starr was ordained to the ministry by prayer and laying on of hands. It was good to be there. The Spirit of God witnessed, by its presence, the solemn act. In the closing meeting, many spoke of the benefit they had received, and of their new determinations to live nearer to God. We had beautiful weather most of the time. Indeed, the weather was warmer than during any meeting I have attended since July. Much the same might be said of the Iowa meeting the week previous. It is now warm as summer. We see no reason to doubt but that Nebraska will make one of our strongest Conferences.