Camp-Meeting at Appleton City, Mo.
By George I. Butler
THE circumstances at the commencement of this meeting were more discouraging than those of any meeting I ever attended, but it finally turned out to be about the best meeting I ever attended in the State of Missouri. Our new tent did not come as we expected, so we were forced to fall back on the old forty-foot tent. There had been such incessant rains and the prospect was so poor that the brethren could get there, that we seriously thought of giving up the camp-meeting, and pitching the tent in the village and lecturing to the few who came out. Finally, we thought there might be forty or fifty out, and we would have a meeting in the grove. It rained every day till Sunday. There were nearly a hundred Sabbath-keepers present Sabbath, and there would have been as many more probably if circumstances had been favorable. The meetings were excellent. The goodness of the meeting did not consist in its numbers, but in the good spirit of love, union, and encouragement which prevailed among our people. There were no jarring elements among them. The melting Spirit of the Lord came in with power several times, and all our hearts were touched. Quite a number came forward for prayers on Monday. Six were baptized. All were greatly encouraged. There is a great waking up on the tract and missionary work. We had a sort of school for instruction in making out reports, and other work connected with the society. The four hundred copies of the SIGNS that come to this State are doing much good. I did not hear of any who were sorry they had been induced to take clubs of the SIGNS. Interested readers are found in all directions. Our $1000 tract and missionary fund, which we commenced to raise last winter, to pay off our indebtedness to the Offices and set our society upon its feet, received an additional subscription of nearly $300 at this meeting. More was done at this meeting to advance the interests of the tract and missionary work than I could have done in three months, by going around to every little church. It does the brethren good to take pains to come together, and spend a few days in seeking God. Many spoke of their gratitude for this privilege. We all feel the cause is rising in Southern Missouri. We thank God, and take courage. The labors of Brother Farnsworth were greatly blessed of God, and he has a warm place in the hearts of the brethren. Our outside attendance was not large, but toward the last the interest increased. Sedalia, Mo., June 4, 1878.