Camp-Meeting at Walla Walla, W. T.
By I. D. Van Horn
THIS good meeting is now in the past. It being the first of the kind ever held by our people in the Walla Walla Valley, the meeting was something of an experiment, yet it proved to be a success in every particular. Was well located and was a beautiful place. The meeting began Wednesday evening June 4. A small stream of water ran around one side of the ground nearly in the form of a half-circle, which, with a large spring close to the ground, furnished the camp with an abundant supply of the best of water. The brethren and sisters came in good time to the meeting so that within twenty-four hours from the time it began there were thirty camping tents on the ground, besides a half dozen covered wagons, which furnished a lodging place for two hundred and twenty-nine souls who remained through the meeting. This was much larger than was expected. All were pleased to see and welcome Elder S. N. Haskell, one of the Gen. Conf. Committee, whose presence and labor among us was greatly blessed to the good of the meeting and to the cause in this part of the field. Especially was this the case concerning the T. and M. work, the branch of the cause on which we needed the most instruction. Bro. Haskell came among us a stranger to nearly all, but his faithful ministration, for he did most of the preaching, won the hearts of all, which made them the more ready to heed his counsel. The effect of the plain testimony was such as to touch the hearts of all, and many of the backslidden and unconverted were moved upon by the Spirit of God so that between forty and fifty came forward, thus expressing their determination to serve the Lord. A reviving influence ran through the meetings on the Sabbath that gave evidence that many were drawing nearer to the Lord, and the Lord came very near to us. The people came on Sunday, about 1500 in number, and manifested much interest. We think a favorable impression for good was made upon all, and every one seemed pleased with the neatness and order of the ground. The confession of all is that this was the largest, best arranged, and most orderly camp-meeting ever held in this country. On Monday we again began labor for those who, on the Sabbath, had come forward, and many responded to the call. Among those who came forward fifteen requested baptism, all of whom, with five others, joined the church. The business sessions of the Conference were harmonious and the result favorable to the progress of the cause. Heretofore the financial standing of the Conference has not been equal to the demand, but steps were taken here which if lived up to, will place this part of the work in good condition. Quite a number of our people were opposed to camp-meetings having been prejudiced against them by the way many of these meetings were conducted by other denominations; but at our good closing meeting the morning of the 10th, many confessed that they were now fully converted to the system of Camp-meetings as conducted by S. D. Adventists. A unanimous vote was taken for a camp-meeting next year. I. D. VAN HORN.