THE WINDSOR, MISSOURI, CAMP-MEETING.
By George I. Butler
This excellent meeting, held Oct. 9-14, was the regular annual meeting of the State Conference, where the different societies held their elections and transacted their business. It was not as large as either of those held in the spring, but was one of the most profitable ever held in the State. Though so late, the weather was warm as mid-June, and not a fire was needed except to cook by. Eld. Wood had been holding a series of meetings in this village of a few hundred inhabitants, and had awakened an excellent interest, many of the most prominent inhabitants being interested or convicted hearers, and quite a number having decided to obey the truth. The tent, 50x70 feet, was nearly filled every evening with interested hearers, which made it necessary to so frame our discourses as to supplement his work so far as possible. Several took a decided stand during the meeting. Eld. Wood will stay to carry on the interest. We hope for a good church as the result of this effort. But the main labor of the meeting was for the spiritual interests of our people. A cutting reproof from the Lord, directed to the ministers and brethren and sisters of the Conference for the general lack of piety and true religion, was received. It represented the condition of the cause as in many respects deplorable, and its truthfulness was generally admitted and a disposition to profit by it was manifest. The preaching was pointed and solemn, and we feel that a deeper impression was made upon the minds and hearts of the people than we have ever seen before in Missouri. Although there was no set appointment, Sabbath was very generally regarded as a fast, for many felt the need of special diligence in drawing near to the Lord. I think I never in my life felt greater anxiety to see the people make an advance than at this meeting. At the close of the preaching service Sabbath afternoon, an opportunity was given for those feeling the need of special help from God to manifest it by coming forward. As a sense of our needy condition and the danger of delay came over me, I could but weep as if my heart would melt within me. When I recovered myself, I found three-fourths of the audience forward for prayers, feeling most deeply; and many excellent testimonies were given and heartfelt confessions made. We had another solemn, melting meeting Monday; and our final closing service Tuesday morning was one of the very best I have seen this season. A spirit of deeper consecration and spirituality seems to be getting hold of the hearts of our best brethren and sisters. The old crust is melting away. I think this was the most profitable meeting I ever attended in the State. A gradual change seems to be working its way into the Conference,—a sense of the wrongfulness of the spirit of criticising, murmuring, and complaining, and a determination to stand by those who bear burdens in the cause. This is a most hopeful sign; and prosperity will never be seen in any Conference without this spirit exists. Missouri has suffered much in the past for the lack of it. The Lord has been most merciful, and we hope for better days. We seemed to have reached a crisis at this meeting, and the Lord gave us light just as we most needed it. How good the Lord is, and how precious is his blessing. Eight or ten persons were baptized by Eld. Wood. Our business meetings passed off harmoniously. I had expected that perhaps this meeting would close my official connection with Missouri. But the brethren seemed determined I should remain with them another year. I did not feel free to deny their request. May God help us to be of some assistance in the work. We feel more encouraged than ever before that God will work for Missouri.