Camp-Meeting at Parsons, Kansas.
By George I. Butler
This meeting, held according to appointment Oct. 23-27, 1879, was fully twice as large as the one held a week before at El Dorado. Probably there were one hundred and fifty Sabbath-keepers present some of the time, though many came late and left early. There was very little outside interest shown, though considerable advertising had been done. Elds. Sharp, Cook and Santee were present, and all participated in the preaching. I gave twelve discourses, trying hard to help our people to realize the importance of the work in its different branches, and to forward the spiritual interests of the meeting. On the Sabbath many came forward for prayers, and the power of the Lord came down in answer to the earnest cries of his servants, for we felt in great need of special help. Many wept aloud and made good confessions, and the spiritual atmosphere was considerably cleared. On Monday also we made a special effort to reach the backslidden and the unconverted. A number came forward, and good confessions were made. Eld. Sharp baptized eight. The temperance work was pressed strongly, and there was great need of it. We expect a good many coffee pots and some tobacco pipes will be laid up in consequence of it. A large number signed the teetotal pledge. Several times during the meeting we paid especial attention to the tract work. Nearly $150 was subscribed on the reserve fund. The people living in this vicinity are mostly poor. Some of them live in the section known as the Joy lands, over which so much trouble has been made, and they have not yet paid for their farms. In our closing morning meeting a large number strongly expressed their gratitude for the benefits of the meeting, feeling most thankful for the instruction they had received, and saying they saw the importance of the work in a new light, and should go home and live out the truth as never before. May the Lord grant them strength so to do. GEO. I. BUTLER.