The Kansas Camp-Meeting.
By George I. Butler
IN company with Elder E. W. Farnsworth, President of the Iowa Conference, I attended this meeting held May 22-28. Preparations were quite well advanced at the appointed time, and Elder Ayers gave a discourse on the evening of the 21st. Though we had a long rain the first night, yet we were mostly favored with fair weather. Nearly three hundred Sabbath-keepers camped on the ground. Some of these came three hundred miles with teams, many of them half that distance, and the going was very bad at that. This shows a good degree of zeal truly. I saw many encouraging omens at this meeting,—evidences of progress since I met with these brethren three or four years ago. There has been a large increase of numbers, and many good, sensible people have been converted to the truth. The cause has made a very encouraging growth. People from all parts of the country are gathering into Kansas. This year the emigration has been very large. It must be that many of these can be reached by the truth. In financial matters the Conference has hardly kept pace with its other growth. The s. B. was not sufficient to settle up with the ministers, but three hundred dollars were promptly raised on the grounds for this purpose, more than covering the deficit. A fund of $1000 for the better carrying on of the T. and M. work was also started on the ground, and about $500 subscribed. Times are not as hard in Kansas as in Iowa, as Kansas has been reasonably favored with crops since the grasshopper raid, and the large emigration brings means into the State. Some of the brethren could do much more than they are doing financially to build up the cause. We tried our best to care for the spiritual interests of the meeting, and found Brother Farnsworth most efficient help. The Spirit of the Lord came in with power several times during the meeting, and souls melted under its influence. On Sabbath, some fifty were forward for prayers, and these souls sought the Lord with tears. On Monday about as many came forward as on the Sabbath. The Spirit of God was present. Several made a start in the religious life for the first time, and backsliders were aroused. Eleven were baptized. The brethren seemed to be of good heart to go on in the work. We were compelled to leave for the next appointment at 8 P. M. Monday, very weary from the anxieties of the meeting, hence were not present at the close Tuesday morning. God bless the Kansas Conference. Men of promise are taking licenses this year, and we wish them great prosperity. Our meeting at Appleton City will be very small, as the fearful rains of a week or two past, west of here, have raised the streams. The Osage river bottom was covered with water five miles wide in places, and trains could not cross it for nearly a week. The railroad had to ferry for two and a half miles. The streams are much lower now, but few can come. Appleton City, Mo., May 29.