OUR NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA CAMP-MEETING by Dudley Marvin Canright

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

OUR NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA CAMP-MEETING.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

THIS meeting was held on the old ground at Hornellsville, Sept. 9-19. Of course the tents, the ground, etc., were all in good taste, as they always are in this Conference. There were about seventy tents in all. Between four and five hundred camped on the ground. The weather was fine throughout. As there was an extra train run from the city before and after each sermon, there was quite an attendance from without all the time. On both Sundays it was large, the last one some four thousand, it was estimated. About $150 worth of books was sold from the stand, and a good number of subscribers was obtained for our various periodicals.

Besides nearly all the ministers in the two Conferences, from abroad there were Elders G. I. Butler, S. N. Haskell, A. S. Hutchins, and the writer. Our social services, of which there were many held, were generally excellent. No time was lost in waiting. During the day-time, the sermons were all on practical subjects, warning against the love of the world, covetousness, pride, self-deception, formality, and the like. The word appeared to take a deep hold on the brethren and sisters. Many felt deeply. On the last Sabbath a very large number came forward to seek the Lord for pardon of sin, and more of his love, and some made a start in the Christian life. It was a sweetly solemn season. On the next day sixteen were baptized.

From the beginning the camp was divided into sections, the occupants of several tents being gathered into one, and a minister being placed over each section. Instead of family prayers these meetings were held each morning at eight. It worked well. A regular course of lectures was given, taking the time each evening and Sundays. This seemed to give good satisfaction both to our own people and to those outside. "Keep it before the people," should be our motto, if we have the truth for our age.

The Sabbath-school, the Tract and Missionary Society, and temperance work, each received attention. A special effort was made to impress upon all, their duty to pay tithes for the support of the ministry. Both these Conferences were far behind in this branch in this respect, simply because all do not do their duty in this respect as they should. A subscription was started to make up the deficiency by donation, and several hundred dollars were pledged. It is hoped that all in these Conferences will assist in this worthy object. Ministers cannot labor unless they are supported.

Elder Bliss, a young man of promise, was ordained to the ministry. Several papers freely published full reports of our meeting and sermons. For this purpose Sr. B. L. Whitney wrote a synopsis of each sermon, sometimes giving quite a full one. This reaches thousands who would not otherwise hear the truth. Such opportunities should not be lost by any camp-meeting.

The officers of the Erie R. R. showed us great favors in many ways, much beyond what we usually receive. This not only saved us much, but added to the pleasure of the meeting.

On the whole we had what may truthfully be called "a good camp-meeting." There was not an unpleasant feature to it. All went away feeling instructed, encouraged, and hopeful. To God be all the glory. D. M. CANRIGHT.