Healdsburg Camp-Meeting.
By Editor
THE Northern California Camp-meeting was successful in every particular. The shade was all that could be desired. Not only the small tents were well shaded, but the large tent, 60 by 96 feet, was shaded by huge oak and madrona trees. It was conceded by all that it was the best ground ever occupied by our people for a camp-meeting in California. The attendance was good. In all there were 111 tents, and 575 persons camped on the ground. On Sunday about 2,500 people were present—a larger number, we were told, than at any previous camp-meeting. There was a sad failure to properly advertise about Healdsburg; yet the evening congregations were large even as late as Wednesday evening. The interest in the preaching was excellent, both with our own people and those from without. And the Lord gave much liberty in presenting the truth. Bro. Healey and Bro. Rice each gave one discourse; besides this, the public labor devolved entirely upon Bro. Haskell and ourself,—Bro. Healey being very sick during most of the meeting. His health had much improved for some weeks which he spent in the hills of Mendocino county. But, very unwisely, his friends telegraphed for him to come to the Fresno meeting. Had we been consulted, as we were on the ground, we should have stopped it. Though improved in health, it was not sufficiently established to hear the strain of the excessive heat and dust of that valley. This, with the care of preparing for the late meeting, will, we fear, now keep him from the field of active labor for some time. There was a great deal of business transacted for one meeting, and we were pleased to see so much interest manifested in the business sessions. We have sometimes thought that so much business was a detriment to our camp-meeting, but our mind is changing in that respect. "Work is worship." All the believers in the third angel's message need the influence of just such meetings to make them acquainted with the work, and to establish their sympathies with those who are working, and thus lead them to identify themselves more closely with the cause. The State Conference, the Missionary Society, the Temperance Society, the State S. S. Association, all received attention, and all were successfully considered. Twenty-nine life-memberships were received of the General Tract Society. A motion to send for 6,000 Health Annuals was opposed by some who seemed either timid or distrustful; but this led to calls which resulted in a resolution to send for 15,000! A State Temperance Society was organized, and 224 persons signed the "teetotal" pledge. We have not received the Conference Secretary's Report. We hope to publish it in our next. Canvassers were quite successful in behalf of our periodicals. Some 200 subscriptions were taken for the College Record, and 182 for other periodicals. We are pleased that our brethren are patronizing the Review. They need the paper. The influence of the meeting was good on all who attended,—both believers and others. The order maintained was excellent. The people had been made to believe by their misleaders (unfortunately there are always some such), that the cause of Seventh-day Adventists does not amount to much, and their surprise was great, and freely expressed, at what they saw and heard. We understand the Baptist minister treated our meeting with marked respect. The singing was as nearly perfect as we can hope to attain under like circumstances. We have not a word of fault to find on this occasion, but we know there is danger that in our large gatherings we shall secure art in singing at the sacrifice of devotion. The fault which we have found in some places, of individuals getting up singing parties on the ground to attract a crowd, was not manifested at all. One thing we cannot forbear to mention:—the entire absence of grumbling. We think, indeed, there was very little to grumble about; but that is not generally a consideration with grumblers. They were not upon the ground, we think. The social meetings were good; not marked so much by soaring flights of feeling, as by depth of feeling and devotion to the work of God. A large number came forward for prayers, and a profitable meeting was held specially with and for such. Twenty-three were baptized on Tuesday afternoon, and two on Wednesday. The best social meeting was that of Wednesday morning at 8:30. Though many left early in the morning, there was a general desire, by those who did not have to leave so early, for another meeting. It was a refreshing season. We were compelled to break it up for want of time, when yet the feeling manifested would have insured a profitable continuance. Two well-deserved resolutions of thanks were passed. One to the owners of the grove, who not only gave the free use of the ground, but gave clean straw, all that was wanted, free of cost but the hauling. The other was to the San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad. Never before, in California, have our people been so favored by a Railroad. There seemed to be a general desire on the part of all who had the privilege of enjoying this meeting, that the same ground be occupied another year if circumstances make it consistent. We should not omit to mention the effort made by some to attend this meeting. Not only were teams present from Red Bluff, and other remote points in Northern California, but several loads came from Fresno and Tulare counties, of those who had recently attended the meeting in that part of the State. Some drove about 300 miles to this meeting, and we think none regretted the effort. May the Lord bless them, and increase their interest more and more. We confidently believe that the influence of this camp-meeting on the interest of the cause during the coming year will be very good. We regret that the laborers are so few. We also regret that some who seek for licences appear to have but little idea of the nature of the work, and of the personal sacrifices necessary to success. But little good will ever be accomplished by laborers in the third angel's message until they have a spirit of groaning under the burden of duty. But this must be in humility, and not in self-sufficiency. There is an hour of triumph coming, for all who are faithful. But they who have wrought the judgments of God must yet seek righteousness, and the meek of the earth must seek meekness, if they hope to be prospered of his hand, or even to be hid in the day of his anger. To such the victory will be sure, and the time of rest will be sweet. May the Lord hasten it, and prepare us for its coming.