July 22, 1875

The Camp-Meetings

EGW

Sister White writes to the Signs of the Times as follows concerning the Camp-meetings that have been held the present season in the West:RH July 22, 1875, par. 1

We arrived upon the camp-ground at Newton, Iowa, June 4. The meeting had been in session one day. Our meetings were excellent from the commencement to the close. The people listened with respectful attention, and we can but hope that the seed of truth sown in the many discourses given will find a lodgment in some hearts, and bear fruit to the glory of God.RH July 22, 1875, par. 2

Sabbath was a marked day on account of the special manifestation of the Spirit of God. After addressing the people for one hour and a half we invited those who felt that they were sinners, and those who were backslidden from God, to come forward to the front seats. About fifty responded to the invitation given. Some came forward in whom we had felt an especial interest for years. They had been backward in taking their position wholly on the Lord's side because of the suggestions of the enemy in keeping before them the course of some who professed the faith, but in their works denied it. Satan's temptations to them were, if they should profess to be followers of Christ and pursue the course these unconsecrated ones had, they would be in a worse condition than they then were.RH July 22, 1875, par. 3

We are sorry to admit that there are those who profess the truth, who are not sanctified by the truth, and such give to the world a bad example, and bring the religion of Christ and the precious truth into disrepute. The demands of the word of God are only met when we love God with all the heart and our neighbor as ourselves.RH July 22, 1875, par. 4

We entreated those who had been disgusted with the course of those who professed Christ but did not follow him, to come out on the Lord's side themselves, and show to the half-hearted and to the world a better way, that making the tree good is the only sure way of securing good fruit. The heart must be renewed before the life can be correct. A profession of Christ without internal rectitude is no better than a whited sepulcher, beautiful without but within full of corruption.RH July 22, 1875, par. 5

We felt deeply grateful to God to see so many young men coming forward for the first time, and thus showing that they, from this good day, will forsake a life of sin, and choose a life of righteousness, walking in the footsteps of Jesus. Several came forward who had long professed the Christian life, but who were convinced at this meeting that they were transgressing the law of God, in trampling upon the Sabbath of the fourth commandment.RH July 22, 1875, par. 6

The Spirit of the Lord seemed to indite the prayers offered, and when opportunity was given for those to speak who desired to do so, nearly all expressed their feelings. What a scene was this! What an encouragement to the laborers in the vineyard of the Lord! Jesus said: “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” Should there not be more joy among those who rejoice in a Saviour's love upon the earth?RH July 22, 1875, par. 7

Sunday the Lord assisted his servants in speaking to the people. The crowd was attentive and respectful, and we sincerely hope that their understanding may be enlightened to see the claims of truth, and that they may have a heart to obey.RH July 22, 1875, par. 8

Monday morning the work commenced just where it closed on Sabbath evening. Again we invited those who wished to seek God, and those who were backslidden, to come forward. More responded to this call than on Sabbath. This exercise was more interesting, if possible, than the first, the special blessing of God attending the meeting. We left the ground very weary, but cheerful in God, knowing that Jesus had indeed come up to the feast, and had graced our meeting with his presence.RH July 22, 1875, par. 9

We complied with the earnest invitation of our brethren in Ladora and vicinity to call upon them, and speak to the people Wednesday night. We had great need of rest, but how could we have a heart to refuse these entreaties? We felt that it was unfavorable for us, and then also that we could not have the privilege, as do many of our fellow-laborers, of visiting. After the exercises of the meeting are over, there comes the writing of important reports and testimonies, which deprive us almost entirely of the privilege of conversation with our brethren and sisters.RH July 22, 1875, par. 10

After a long and interesting evening meeting, we rode five miles to the depot; and then, after midnight, lay down for a couple of hours of rest upon quilts and blankets, brought from his home by the brother who took us to the depot, and which we spread upon the depot floor. Thus with scarcely any rest, we were obliged to travel most of the next day till we arrived, weary and worn, at theRH July 22, 1875, par. 11

Illinois Camp-Meeting

Here, as in Iowa, the prayer and conference meetings were of special interest. On Sabbath afternoon, several mentioned the benefits which they had received from the health reform. Dr. Pottinger gave a very interesting testimony as follows:RH July 22, 1875, par. 12

“My brethren may have thought they were meeting with only half a brother, when they saw me using tobacco, The truth found me in the gutter. I was addicted to two fatal habits, drinking and tobacco-using. I have left off the former, and gained a complete victory over it, and so far as refraining from the use of tobacco is concerned, I could refrain from its use. But I have feared the result upon my system, as I am somewhat disposed to paralytic affections, and physicians have assured me that entire abstinence from tobacco would cost my life. But I am preparing to make a trial of the matter. I am waiting till my system shall rally a little from the reaction caused by leaving off tippling, then I shall take hold in earnest to rid myself of tobacco.”RH July 22, 1875, par. 13

There were quite a number of our French brethren present, and this added much to the interest of the meeting. These French brethren and sisters are gaining an experience; and if they remain humble and true to their faith, God will use them as instruments in bringing others to the knowledge of the truth. There are a number whose lives are indeed a living epistle, known and read of all men. They show the transforming power of the truth upon their daily life.RH July 22, 1875, par. 14

It was under very discouraging circumstances that Eld. Bourdeau presented the truth to them. The opposition from prejudiced minds was very bitter. But some honest souls were interested, and when brought up to face the mirror, to compare their lives with the law of God, they were deeply convicted of sin. One brother who is now rejoicing in the truth, and can say with Paul, “I was alive without the law once; but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died,” when he came to view his life in the light of the holy law, saw his sins to be so exceedingly sinful, that he thought they were too great to be forgiven. He was in great agony of mind. He called together his neighbors and friends, and confessed to them the sins and wrongs of his life, and entreated their forgiveness. He tried to right every wrong. This wonderful work of the power of God in convicting the sinner, was a thing so new to his friends and neighbors that they thought he was out of his mind, and feared that he would die. Several physicians were consulted, and medicine was prescribed freely. But drugs, which would be useless to cure the diseased body, were utterly powerless to cure the sin-sick soul. While suffering the most intense remorse of conscience for his sins, the Lord did not leave him to perish. The light of health reform was forced upon his mind, and he refused to take the drugs prescribed, for he was strongly convinced that they were poison, and ruinous to his constitution.RH July 22, 1875, par. 15

Eld. Bourdeau and his wife felt the deepest anxiety as to the result of this case. Some charged Eld. B. with making this man crazy. Eld. B.’s life was in danger, and he and his wife wept and prayed many hours while others slept. They prayed that God would work in such a manner as to honor the cause of truth and glorify his name. The French brother came out all right. He had that repentance which needeth not to be repented of. He was indeed a new man, converted and thoroughly transformed. He had “put off the old man with his deeds;” and “put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him.”RH July 22, 1875, par. 16

At this meeting we were attentively cared for by brother and sister Hobbs. These self-sacrificing souls showed especial hospitality on this occasion. May the Lord bless them and their dear children for this labor of love. On Wednesday Bro. Hobbs took us nine miles to Somonauk, where we took the cars for Lena, Wis. Here we were met by brother and sister Bates and Bro. Brown, who took us by private conveyance to the Monroe Camp-ground.RH July 22, 1875, par. 17