North Pacific Camp-Meeting.
By Editor
THIS meeting was held in East Portland, Oregon; the place first selected, Sellwood, being inaccessible for the people. There was no shade upon the ground which was used, but in every other respect it was most desirable. A grove of young evergreens near at hand was being cleared away, which afforded material for decorations; and these were also set up by a number of the tents, which added much to the appearance of the ground, and gave a pleasant shade at the doors. The weather was varied, ranging from dry and hot to cold and very stormy. But the meetings were not broken up at any time, though the people outside the camp were kept away from a few. From the first it was evident that the meeting would be one of hard labor. The condition of the people was not favorable; most of the members of the principal churches had taken quite a decided stand against the action of the General Conference, which made it very difficult to reach them. Our working force was found to be none too strong for the occasion; and had it not been for the pointed testimonies of Sister White, we have every reason to fear the meeting would not have accomplished the object desired. Three years ago, at the Cornelius camp-meeting, we plainly saw and deeply deplored the condition of this Conference; but they were not prepared at that time to accept our view or take our advice, and they yielded to the suggestions of the enemy, by which means darkness was brought upon nearly the whole field. We told them at Cornelius that the time would come when they would be convinced that we were right, and we could but thank God that that time came at the East Portland meeting. We were thankful, not for our own sake, but for their sake, and the sake of the cause, which was suffering in that Conference. The partial acceptance of the truth by Elders Snashall and Barnes proved to be a detriment to the work in Oregon. It is always a detriment to the cause in any Conference to have ministers in the field who are not thoroughly converted to, and sound in, the faith. At the camp-meeting in Salem, two years ago, we saw that unless a prudent, careful course was pursued toward these men, the cause would suffer through them. And here again our cautions were forgotten, and they (and especially Elder Barnes) were supported by the sympathies of those whose judgment would have led them to adopt a different course. Sympathy is a good quality, but its perversion is a great evil; and we know of no field which has suffered so deeply because of perverted sympathy as Oregon. But we trust the spell is fully and completely broken. Though it seemed harder to approach the people here than in the meeting at Walla Walla, there was a more thorough work done at the East Portland meeting than at the other. Almost all broke down and made an entire surrender of their prejudices and opposition to the action of the General Conference. Hearty confessions were made, and strong pledges to stand by whomsoever should be sent to help them. Elder Boyd was very cheerfully re-elected president, and we believe he has consecrated associates in his fellow-officers. This movement opened the way for effectual devotional efforts, and on the last Sabbath, after a discourse by Sister White, almost the entire congregation signified a desire to draw near to God and to start anew in his service. Quite a number came forward who had never professed religion at all. On Monday, June 30, twenty-five were baptized in the Willamette River near the camp-ground. The Council was approved by all, as none could fail to see the benefit of consultations of the representatives of the several Conferences. Its organization was as simple as it could possibly be made, and all cheerfully acquiesced in its recommendations. To those unacquainted with the circumstances it might appear strange that Elders Jones and Raymond were taken for a season from fields so destitute; yet it was perfectly consistent with our plan of educating and training our laborers. Their privileges of associating with those who were experienced in the work had been very limited; and all saw and acknowledged the propriety of this recommendation. Sister White's remarks on the course of those who mount some favorite hobby and run it to the detriment of the great work in which we are engaged, were pointed, forcible, and timely, and we are glad to record the promise that they will be furnished for publication. The cause in Oregon and Washington has been greatly injured by this course. In the work of establishing this truth it was far different. Those whom God evidently set forth to develop this faith, labored for unity, not distraction. They carefully and prayerfully examined the points, and when they had constructed their argument, they submitted it to the judgment of their brethren, and only taught and published it after it was approved. And if by any means a point was put forth upon which there was not agreement, its projectors carefully abstained from further teaching it. And God blessed this method, and his Spirit approved their work. But men have always come up who gave no evidence that the Lord had set them forth to bring out the faith, who seize upon some point, either untrue or unimportant if true, and without consulting their brethren of experience, thrust it before the weak and inexperienced as new truth which is calculated to greatly strengthen the message! But wherever such a work is found, confusion and distrust are sure to follow. The withdrawal of confidence and support from the General Conference, left many in the northern field peculiarly open to such deceptions, and the enemy was not slow to take advantage of the position. When this work of discord is checked, the cry of "persecution" is often raised; but they who draw away from their brethren must not complain if their brethren draw away from them. We have always contended that every denomination has its rights. We did not believe that Prof. Swing and Dr. Thomas were persecuted by the Presbyterians and Methodists. No honorable man will try to teach contrary to the faith of the denomination whose name he bears, and under whose authority he teaches. No man has any right to make others responsible for that which they do not believe and which his church does not allow. The right of private judgment we do not dispute, but if one chooses to disagree with his brethren, he ought to be willing to bear the responsibility. We have assurances that these restless spirits will multiply among us, and it is our duty to watch over the interests and welfare of the flock, and to contend earnestly for the faith. Elder Boyd labored untiringly, and under great discouragements, to establish the work in East Portland, according to the counsel of the General Conference Committee and the advice of the President of the International Tract and Missionary Society. A meeting-house was built and a reading-room and city mission established; and, allowing for some defections from the faith, the membership of the church was more than doubled. Outside of this locality but little was done during the past year,—not enough to make up for the losses sustained by means of selfish and unconverted workers. It pains us to record such facts; but they are facts open to all. And it cheers us much to know that a new era has dawned upon the work in the North Pacific Conference. Had a faithful and judicious course been pursued in the past, churches might now dot the Willamette Valley, and the cause be strong in that field. We hope that all may now strive to "redeem the time" by diligence in every good word and work. Nearly $5,000 were pledged on the ground to build up the several interests of the cause. This was cheerfully done, and of their own suggestion. We believe that "the people have a mind to work" in Oregon, and that the coming year will show good results. We greatly rejoice that Elder Loughborough was assigned to the northern field, and that, by recommendation of the Council, he will assist Brother Boyd in establishing the work in Oregon. We regret, however, that there is such a scarcity of laborers, especially in Upper Columbia. How greatly they need to importune the Lord of the harvest for help in this time of need. Brother Ings remains in those Conferences for a season, which we trust will be a great benefit to the churches. Altogether we are cheered with the prospect in the northern Conferences. Never since their organization has the outlook appeared as hopeful as at the present time. We had full confidence, when we started for those camp-meetings, that the time for a revival of the work there had fully come, and we were not disappointed. Our prayers shall still be for them, and our heart will go with the workers in that large and important field.