CAMP-MEETING AT SOUTH LANCASTER, MASSACHUSETTS.
By George I. Butler
THIS meeting was held in a beautiful grove of pines, near the railroad, commencing August 31, and closing September 6. The large pavilion tent, one hundred and twenty-five feet by eighty, in which all the general meetings were held, was pitched at the edge of the grove on the green sod. Eld. D. M. Canright of Michigan, Eld. S. N. Haskell, who lives at the place, Eld. Robinson, and the writer were present, and participated in the preaching. Eld. Isaac Sanborn, formerly of Wisconsin, was present part of the time. The attendance of our people was about the same as last year. The weather was not very favorable. A heavy rain set in Friday afternoon, which continued with little interruption till the next morning, so that no meeting could be held during the time. It was cloudy from that time till the close. Our meetings on Sunday were not largely attended, partly for this reason and partly because so many camp-meetings had been held on the ground before, that novelty failed to draw the people. Excellent attention was given by those who came. Our own people who attended were much benefited, and the meetings were spiritual. The preaching was highly appreciated, and great solemnity prevailed at times during the services. On Sabbath afternoon we had, I think, the best meeting I ever attended in this Conference. The discourse related to a thorough consecration of ourselves to God's service, our bodies becoming "a living sacrifice" upon his altar, Rom. 12:1-3, so that our every effort should be in conformity to his will. If God would be pleased to have our lives, like those of the martyrs, become a sacrifice, and we be offered upon the altar as a testimonial of constancy and faithfulness, we should be willing to glorify him thus. If he preferred that we wear out ourselves in his service, as the patient ox wears the yoke of toil, we should do this with perfect submission, as this is no more than our "reasonable service." When we consider that God has given us life, and all our powers, and every blessing, surely he has a higher right to us than we to ourselves. And when we consider the "mercies of God" to us, and how Christ has purchased us, then we must realize he has a double claim. At the close of the discourse, nearly the whole audience arose when asked if they would thus try to consecrate themselves to God. When sinners and backsliders were called forward, one hundred came forward, some weeping aloud. The precious solemn Spirit of God was present. Our closing meeting, Tuesday morning, was one of interest. Many of the old staunch friends of the cause expressed themselves as greatly blessed and edified by the preaching. Some who remembered the great Advent movement of 1844, when great power attended the preaching of the truth, said the preaching reminded them of that time. Some of these expressed themselves as having never attended a better meeting. There seemed to be two classes present: those who were greatly encouraged, and those who did not participate very much in the spirit of the work. Those who had sought the Lord were greatly blessed by him. We had the most encouraging Health and Temperance meeting Sunday forenoon I have attended this year. Quite a number participated in it, and many good things were said, which we have not space to relate. There were some temperance veterans on the ground, nearly eighty years of age, who had retained health and vigor of mind by habits of temperance. Their testimony had the right ring to it, and was weighty. The truth lived out always testifies strongly in its own favor. Probably in no part of the field has the Tract and Missionary work had a more thorough trial than here in New England, and nowhere have I seen better fruits of its work. Intelligent souls are embracing the truth from this agency in many places. This encourages the faithful workers. Such are not among the discouraged and murmuring. What a testimony in favor of the value of faithful service for the Master, that those who bestow it love his service better and better, and the grumblers are always found among the half-hearted. The brethren and sisters went to their homes with good courage.