THE CAMPMEETINGS by James White

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 28, 1880

THE CAMPMEETINGS.

By James White

The camp-meeting season for 1880 is nearly past. There remains one meeting for the State of Kentucky, October 26 to November 2, and one for the State of Texas, for November 11–24. The reports of our camp-meetings the present season have shown no want of interest on the part of our people in these general gatherings in camp, and that they have all been attended by the blessing of God, and prosperity to the cause, fully equal to past years.

We were present at the Ohio camp-meeting, and should have reported it, but for the pressure of labor and cares in connection with our general camp-meeting and Conference at Battle Creek, Mich. Elder D. M. Canright reports the Ohio meeting as follows:—

"This meeting, held at Clyde, Sept. 16–21, was said by all to be the best ever held in Ohio. The weather was fine, the grounds were lovely, the attendance was large, and all seemed to put themselves on their best behavior to see how pleasant they could be. No fault-finding was heard in the whole camp. We believe God is pleased with such a spirit. Eld. Corliss came early, and did good service in preaching. Bro. and Sr. White came Thursday night, and worked as usual. Sabbath afternoon Sr. White made a successful effort for the unconver*ed and backslidden. A large number came forward and spoke with deep feeling. We then had a powerful season of prayer, followed by a sweet praise-meeting. Such seasons will never be forgotten. The outside attendance was good, though there was not the great crowd we sometimes have. Sr. White spoke Sunday afternoon and evening, one hour each, on temperance. The effect was good. The citizens expressed themselves as greatly pleased with our meeting in every respect.

"Monday, Bro. Guilford baptized twelve persons. All the business was done up promptly and passed off pleasantly. Our health and temperance work shows a large growth during the year. Our Sabbath-schools have done finely, coming up from 22 schools, 688 members, with $120 contributions last year, to 33 schools, 906 members, and $250 contributions this year. The tract society has greatly improved in every way the past year. It is now in perfect working order, and has a capital of $2,300, clear of all debts. We think this is excellent. Our tithes have come up from $2,700 a year ago to $4,200 this year. Six new churches have been added, raising the membership 107. But we are sorry to say that the tithes were not sufficient to pay the ministers the small sums allowed them. We lacked nearly $500. We hope all who have any love for the cause, and any sympathy for these hard-worked and poorly-paid ministers, will lay this to heart, and do their share to help in this necessary part of the work.

"Nearly all remained till the close of the meeting, Tuesday. We then closed with a pleasant farewell meeting. All go to their homes greatly strengthened, and thanking God for this good camp-meeting."

We were not present at the Indiana camp-meeting, held September 23–27. Mrs. W., and others who attended that meeting report that it was one of great interest and power.

The National camp-meeting held at Battle Creek, September 28 to October 11, drew together on the last Sabbath of the meeting the largest assembly of those who revere the Sabbath of the fourth commandment ever assembled on the American Continent. Particulars are given in the following from Review and Herald, by Elder U. Smith:—

"The number of tents pitched besides those for meetings and business purposes was one hundred. But the congregations were nearly as large generally as on former occasions, and on the second Sabbath the congregation was estimated to exceed any former gathering, a great number residing in the vicinity and attending from their homes. As seen from the report of the business proceedings, the encouraging number of twenty-one Conferences and five missions were represented by delegates.

"Of ministers and licentiates there were present fifty-two. Thirty-two discourses were given. Eld. James White and Mrs. E. G. White spoke each five times. J. O. Corliss, C. W. Stone, and J. G. Matteson, each three times; J. B. Goodrich, S. N. Haskell, and R. F. Andrews, twice each; and Elds. W. H. Littlejohn, H. W. Decker, S. B. Whitney, E. B. Lane, E. R. Jones, Smith Sharp, and U. Smith, once each. The preaching was largely practical, and was well received, though all may not have been so enthusiastic over it as one brother, who wished that all the discourses might be written out and published in pamphlet form for perusal at home.

"On each Sabbath, Oct. 2 and 9, a powerful movement was witnessed among the people, when under a strong appeal from Sister White to sinners and backsliders, between three and six hundred came forward for prayers. In the hearts of many of these a good work was evidently wrought. There were two seasons of baptism, in which thirty-eight went forward. An interesting Sabbath-school was held at the usual hour each Sabbath morning. Seasons of social worship were held each morning from six to seven, the many business meetings it was necessary to hold not allowing much more time than this to be devoted to exercises of this kind. The camp was districted, each district being put in special charge of a minister, and in these districts, meetings were held from eight to nine. Some of the ministers reported the best meetings here they ever enjoyed.

"We were happy to greet our beloved Bro. Matteson, missionary from Norway, and to listen to his encouraging report of the progress of the work in that country. The organization of a new Conference in Denmark, which was received into the General Conference, as reported in the Business Proceedings, will mark a new era in the history of the cause there. While the method of gaining access to the multitudes of Europe, as described in Bro. Andrews' report, makes the outlook there, should God bless in the restoration of his health, more favorable than at any previous time.

"In the book tent, sales reached the encouraging figure of $118.00. Contributions were freely offered toward the expenses of the meeting, to such an amount that when some material on hand is disposed of there will be a small surplus in the treasury.

"On Monday evening, Oct. 11, at the Tabernacle, Brn. E. P. Daniels, Wm. Ostrander, and G. H. Gilbert were solemnly set apart to the work of the ministry, according to the Scriptures. After a few impressive remarks by Bro. G. I. Butler, prayer was offered by Eld. Haskell, and the charge and right-hand of fellowship were given by Eld. Butler.

"Eleven different organizations held their annual sessions, during the thirteen days of the meeting, as follows: General Conference, General T. and M. Society, General H. and T. Society, General S. S. Association, Michigan Conference, Michigan T. and M. Society, Michigan H. and T. Society, Michigan S. S. Association, the S. D. A. Publishing Association, the Health Institute, and the Educational Society. This presents a formidable array of business to be transacted in so short a time; and the lack of time to fully consider some of the important matters brought before these different bodies was seriously felt. The meetings, however, all passed off pleasantly, and a good degree of interest was manifested in the proceedings.

"A few days of serious illness on the part of Sister White, in the midst of the meeting, caused some anxiety and depression for the time on the part of many. But as prayer was offered in her behalf, she was remarkably relieved, and enabled to labor again in her usual strength before the meeting closed.

"The weather was for the most part favorable, the encampment was a pleasant place, all seemed to be of good cheer; and we must attribute the lack to themselves if any went home feeling that they had not enjoyed a continual feast of good things."

Elder J. O. Corliss designs to attend the Kentucky camp-meeting, and visit Virginia and other Southern States, and Elds. Butler and Whitney design to be present at the Texas camp-meeting. May the rich blessing of God attend these brethren to the Southern fields, and rest down in power upon our people assembled in the South.

J. W.