Camp-Meeting at Des Moines, Iowa.
By Stephen N. Haskell
WE arrived at this place Thursday A. M., June 10. The meeting was fairly under way, there having been a workers' meeting for a week previous. They had secured the State grounds in the city of East Des Moines. This ground is an area of about ten acres, covered with the majestic elm, oak, and walnut, with an occasional locust tree. One spot alone was found where the 60x90 foot cotton meeting-house could be pitched. This was surrounded by about one hundred and twenty-five tents, arranged in regular order; the whole presented a pleasing and picturesque appearance. These contained 900 Sabbath-keepers, mostly from this State, it being the largest camp-meeting, and, judging from the results, the most important one ever held in this Conference. The ministers from abroad were Elders Butler, Smith, Canright, and the writer. The meeting was one of great interest to all those who love the cause of present truth. The outside interest was also good. During the past year there has been a city mission located here, and as a result, a goodly number had taken their stand to keep God's commandments, and many more were interested. There is, at present, a church of about fifty Sabbath-keepers at this place. In their missionary meeting the propriety of making Des Moines a center for their work was considered. It was decided that a tract depository should be located there, a meeting-house built, and a training school established for the workers. It was voted, therefore, to raise the sum of $10,000 for the accomplishing of that work the present season. About one-half of this was promptly pledged by those present. All took a part, both old and young, brethren and sisters. It is evident that the spiritual interest of this Conference has been coming up during the past year. The blessing of God has attended the efforts of those393who have had charge of the Conference, and a feeling of harmony and a desire to get nearer to God was manifested by all, both ministers and people. Many who had been on the back ground, here gave themselves anew to God, and consecrated their substance to his cause. The general wants of the cause were also presented, and the one-hundred-thousand-dollar fund, recommended by the General Conference, was duly considered. As a result, about twenty thousand dollars was pledged. The pledges were from one hundred to ten thousand dollars each. The brethren felt that these missions being established in the different parts of the world must be sustained. Those having farms felt like consecrating them to God, and placing themselves also on the altar; only desiring that God might accept, not only their property, but themselves. Truly in many of these things it would seem that the spirit which existed in the days of the apostles is beginning to come in among us as a people. There will be many who will cling to their farms and merchandise, and will never feel the importance of disposing of them; and God will let all such have what they most desire, but they will find themselves lost with their substance in the day of God. It is true that times are closing upon the people of God; and such manifestations of the spirit of anarchy as were witnessed in Chicago a few weeks since will increase, so that the opportunities for selling will not be as good in the future as they have been in the past. Many of our brethren, seeing this, are anxious to make their transfers as soon as possible, that their interests may be more fully identified with the cause of present truth. We had the pleasure of speaking directly to the Scandinavians on the subject of missionary work. All felt thankful that in Christ there was no nationality, but that all are one in Christ Jesus. The spiritual interests of the meeting increased until the last. We had preaching three times a day, once in English and twice in Danish or Swedish. On Sunday four discourses were given. The tent was crowded to its utmost capacity by those from the city; especially was this so each night; Sunday our brethren gave up their seats for the strangers as they came in. It is evident that this Conference should soon purchase a new tent, 80x125 feet. The tract society report showed that much had been accomplished during the past year; and although the club of SIGNS had diminished in the State, a spirit was manifested to revive the lagging interests, and once more take hold of the work of taking clubs and remailing to parties who might become interested in our views. We learn that "Volume 4" has not been so extensively circulated as in Pennsylvania and some other Conferences. Some time was given to the subject of canvassing, and quite a spirit was aroused to enter the field as canvassers and colporters. When called upon to know how many there were who would hereafter give themselves to canvassing for some of our publications, some thirty or forty arose. A large number of the Scandinavians expressed a desire to engage in the same work. If the resolutions formed on the camp-ground are carried out the coming year, a work will be accomplished in the State of Iowa, such as has never yet been seen in any of our Conferences. Elder Butler declined a re-election as president of the Conference, and Elder Morrison was elected, with two brethren who had been former presidents of the Conference, on the Executive Committee. The Sabbath-school work was also considered, and much interest was manifested in it. The meeting closed Tuesday morning; but those desiring to enter the canvassing field remained over Tuesday to receive further instruction in that phase of the work. On Tuesday morning, at half-past five, one hundred and fifty testimonies were borne in a short period of time. Sometimes four would be upon their feet at the same time, waiting for opportunity to speak. Finally it became necessary to change the order of the meeting, when Brethren Porter, Nicola, and Heacock were set apart, by the laying on of hands, to the work of the ministry; Elder G. I. Butler offering the prayer, and the charge being given by the writer. The Spirit of God rested upon the congregation. Both ministers and people felt to weep before the Lord. Thus closed one of the most successful camp-meetings, in many respects, that we have witnessed for a long time. This is becoming one of the largest and strongest Conferences among our people. Here are some men of means, and, as a general thing, the people manifest willing hearts and a strong desire to accomplish what they can for the advancement of the truth of God. Sister E. W. Farnsworth, who had been secretary of the tract society for seven years, was, on account of its increased burdens and the feebleness of her health, relieved from the responsibilities of that position the coming year, and Brother A. G. Daniels elected in her stead. It is evident that as the responsibilities and burdens of our tract societies become greater, our brethren, who have more physical strength, should bear the responsibilities of the business, while our sisters can act the same part as formerly, having charge of the tracts and the society books. We hope for better things for Iowa than has been seen before. The time has evidently come when the cloud is rising before God's people, and the testimony of the Spirit of God is, move forward. About one hundred came forward on the Sabbath for prayers, and about the same number Monday afternoon, after which seventy-four were baptized. The people returned to their homes in good courage. Thus closed a successful camp-meeting held in the capital city of the State. S. N. H.