North Pacific Camp-Meeting.
By Isaac D. Van Horn
OUR camp-meeting is in the past. We can look back to it with satisfaction, for it was a decided success. The attendance was much greater than any one had anticipated. Every-body was charmed with our beautiful ground, which was one great cause of the perfect order that was maintained throughout the meeting. The ground occupied was about three acres, nearly half of which was enclosed by a neat pole fence. The entrance through this fence into the inclosure was by a tripple archway, beautifully ornamented with evergreen. On the front of this were the words "Seventh-day Adventist Camp-meeting," and on the inside "Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace good will toward men." About thirty feet from this was the entrance to the large pavilion. Over this was an arch covered with cloth of red and blue on which appeared in letters of white "What is Truth?" With the large tent as a center the camping tents, twenty-four in number, were put in a semi-circle. All the ground within the inclosure was made smooth and carpeted with straw. The store and restaurant were under the direction of the camp-meeting committee, and paid all expenses. We had a new 50-ft tent on the ground, in one side of which was the book stand, and the remainder was occupied by brethren, who brought blankets, but did not have tents. By actual count there were two hundred camping on the ground. Religious services began on Thursday, June 27 at 6 A. M. There was a good interest at the very beginning, and it increased to the close. The subjects chosen seemed to meet the wants of the people all the way through. Especially was this the case with the testimony of Sister White. Her efforts were highly appreciated by all our brethren and sisters, and I believe all were greatly benefited. Our meetings on the Sabbath were devoted to our people and were especially interesting. At 2 P. M. Sister White had good freedom and at the close of her discourse made a call for sinners who wished to become Christians to come forward. Twenty-one responded, and with deep feeling showed evidence of their sincerity. On Sunday the crowd came in from the surrounding country. It was estimated that two thousand people were on the ground. All were charmed into silence and respect by the beautiful ground they beheld, and the perfect order maintained. Subjects relating to our faith and hope were taken up by which the people had reasons given them why we were Seventh-day Adventists. At 2 P. M. Sister White spoke with great freedom and power. Hearts were touched by the appeals made, and impressions that cannot be easily thrown off were fastened upon the minds of the sober and thoughtful in favor of the truth. Monday, was another special day for our people, and also a day of business. Sinners and backsliders were again invited to the front seats. About the same number responded as on the Sabbath. Out of this number six arose requesting baptism. As four of them lived near the Beaverton church, and two in Salem, it was decided that they should be baptized the following Sabbath at the time of their quarterly meeting. The business sessions of the Conference were all characterized with the best of feelings, and the one great motive of all seemed to be to push on the work. Six persons received license to improve their gift. Brother Wm. L. Raymond was ordained to the gospel ministry and received credentials. There are now three ministers and six licentiates in this Conference. All may not be able to give themselves entirely to the work, but we hope to see them make some effort. We feel grateful for the visit Sister White has made us, and the memory of her testimonies and good counsel will live in our affections while time shall last. We extend an earnest invitation to her in company with her husband to again visit Oregon. We thank God for our good camp-meeting. The news has gone through this valley that we have the finest camping ground ever seen in the State. A wealthy farmer living a few miles away from the ground came to our meeting, and stated to some friends of his that he never saw a camp ground before that he would take his wife and daughters to, but now he was going right home and bring them to this meeting. The papers both of Portland and Salem published items specially mentioning the beauty of the ground and the good order maintained. We feel that this meeting has done much to strengthen our cause in this new Conference. We believe the work will go forward with more power than ever before. There can be no doubt that the Lord's hand is in this work. Moving in harmony with his will, we shall surely succeed in reaching the glorious result. I. D. VAN HORN.
Salem, Oregon, July 10, 1878.