NEBRASKA CAMP-MEETING by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 6, 1881

NEBRASKA CAMP-MEETING.

By S. N. Haskell

THIS meeting was held according to appointment, near Columbus, on the Union Pacific Railroad, about ninety miles from Omaha. This is a young Conference, having been organized but three years ago. At that time the membership was quite small, with only a few organized companies. During the past year they have made a specialty of the missionary work, in the following manner: A colporter would enter the place where the tent was to be pitched, visit and pray with families, obtain subscribers for our periodicals, and sell and loan our publications, making free use of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES, for from two to four weeks in advance of the meetings. This work prepared the way for the living preacher.

Notwithstanding the fact that most of their laborers are young and inexperienced, marked success has attended their efforts. Over one hundred have embraced the truth during this present year, and mostly within two counties. Judging from the present interest awakened by the pioneer work of the colporter, a larger harvest of souls will be gathered in the near future, especially if this interest be followed up by judicious labor.

About three hundred were encamped upon the ground. The prompt and living testimonies in every social meeting, and the good attendance at every meeting, indicated a spirituality not witnessed at any other camp-meeting which we have attended this year. The melting Spirit of God was often manifested in our midst. On Sabbath, about fifty came forward for prayers. Many of these were children of our brethren and sisters, some husbands and wives, and a few who had passed the common age allotted to man. This was a precious season. Monday afternoon fourteen were baptized in the Loup river, near the camp-ground.

Union and harmony characterized all the business proceedings. The Sabbath-school, the health and temperance work, and the missionary interests shared a portion of the time, and a good degree of interest was manifested in the various branches of the cause.

At a meeting called for the purpose, Eld. Boyd presented the neccessity of having their Tract Reserve Fund increased from six hundred to sixteen hundred dollars, to supply publications for the State; also to purchase a large tent suitable for camp-meetings. Although the drouth and hail had ruined their crops so they could not do as they otherwise might have done, over eleven hundred dollars were secured for that purpose in a few moments of time.

The parting meeting, Tuesday morning, will not soon be forgotten. Bro. Daniel Nettleton was set apart to the gospel ministry, by the laying on of hands; during the services the congregation was in tears. Our brethren went to their homes much encouraged, feeling that God had met with them and given them a gracious blessing.

Here Eld. Butler and myself separated; he started for Missouri, Kansas, and Texas, camp-meetings, while I return to the Pacific coast. S. N. HASKELL.