Southern Missouri Camp-Meeting.
By S. N. Haskell
IN company with Elders Van Horn and Farnsworth we left Kansas City May 28, and that evening arrived at Nevada. This city contains about 5,000 inhabitants. A camp-meeting had been held in this place about five years ago, when Brother and Sister White were present. The favorable impression then made on the people had left an interest for another. There has been during the past winter and spring a large amount of missionary and colporter work done here. And notwithstanding there was a State Temperance Convention held here the first two days of our meeting, we had a large congregation at the camp-ground, which was one-half mile from the city. This camp-meeting being in the southern part of the State, and another to be held in the northern part the following week, the number of our brethren and sisters present was not large, being less than two hundred. The large tent, 50x70, was filled every night with attentive hearers from the city, and the crowd increased to the close. We never have seen more of an interest manifested by the citizens of any place where our camp-meetings have been held. The meeting closed on Monday night and the congregation was as large as at any time on Sunday. The people of the town earnestly desired the tent to be pitched where they could still attend the meetings to hear further on the points of our faith, and arrangements were made to this end. Our brethren also manifested a corresponding interest to get nearer to God and be better prepared to do his will than ever before. In short, it was the burden of many to come so near to God that he could work through them to the advancement of his cause. Our meetings on the Sabbath were especially interesting. About fifty came forward for prayers, many for the first time. There were ten baptized. Two sermons were given each day excepting Sabbath and Sunday, and the rest of the time was taken up in social meetings. Bible readings, and discussions as to how the work could be best carried forward in this Conference. The report from the St. Louis Mission was encouraging. Where the portfolios containing the SIGNS have been placed on board steamers, two and sometimes three persons have frequently been found reading the same paper at the same time. Other papers were called for. Certainly God has gone out before us in preparing hearts to receive the truth in our city mission. The openings for labor in the State were beyond anything we have ever witnessed in any conference. A number gave themselves to the work of God as colporters, and design to enter the field immediately. During one of the meetings resolutions were passed—one inviting the Illinois Conference to connect with this conference in the St. Louis Mission; another, that the Executive Committees of the Missouri and the Kansas Conferences consult together about opening a joint mission in Kansas City; and a third, to raise $20,000, $5,000 to be used in city missions, $5,000 in the State depository, $5,000 to loan to those who wish to fit themselves for the work of God, and $5,000 reserved fund for any enterprise which might arise. When an opportunity was given to make pledges, one brother arose and said his property was worth about $6,000 and he wished to sell the same and give one-half of the proceeds to the cause now and the other half as it should be needed. Another brother who had made a deposit of $800 in a bank, intending to purchase a small place in town for a home, presented the certificate of deposit, and said when he made other collections he had more for the cause. Thus this spirit went through the camp, till within less than an hour $12,000 was pledged. Our parting meeting on Tuesday morning was one of deep interest. Testimonies like the following were borne by many of the leading brethren: "I have been buried up in my farm, but now I am going to give myself to the work of God." Another said: "Before this I thought I could not afford the time to attend camp-meetings, but now I am going to give all this summer to the work." And another said: "I have been praying for my companion for years, and now I am so thankful that God has converted her, that I am anxious to show my appreciation by some service on my part." All seemed encouraged. And, notwithstanding it was right in the midst of corn-planting with many, yet there was a general expression of regret that the camp-meeting closed so soon. About 165 subscribers were taken for our periodicals. We left Tuesday morning and arrived at Kansas City en route for Beatrice, Neb., about 5 P. M., feeling greatly refreshed by this encouraging meeting.
S. N. HASKELL.