The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-05
THE ADVENTISTS.
Closing Day at the Camp-A Brief Summary
of the Work for the Year.

Speciaj to the Indianapolis Journa1.
WABASH, Oct To-day will close one Of the
most successful camp-meetings that has ever
been held by the Seventh day Adventists Of this
State. Every year, as the people come up to
this feast of the tabernacles, there is seen
marked improvement in growth and spirituality.
The services have been full Of enthusiasm.
Pointed sermons have been delivered, and the
positions taken by this body are certainly we'll
founded in Bible truth. They can point you to
the ''Thus saith the Lord" for every view they
entertain. There were between six aud seven
hundred Adventists encamped on the ground.
The order of the camp has called forth remarks
of surprise from the people of Wabash. There
have been scenes of excitement, although the
deepest of feeling was manifested. Frequently
the audience have been in tears. The services
were marked with deep solemnity and devotion
At the revival meetings about seventy persons
moved forward for prayers. Heart-broken testi-
monials were given. The conviction seemed to
have some reality to 1t, and the conversions had
the appearance of being genuine. No one could
listen without being convinced that these people
are sincere and take a sensible way of showing
It. After the morning seryiees about q shousaEd
persons went down to the river near the camp
ground TO witness the baptism of forty-tw
yerts to the faith. The day was beautiful and
the calm, warm sunshine flooded the scene with
yellow glory The green woods around made
charming background and the blue sky fitting
dome to such services. Elder Underwood made
O few remarks on baptism. He said: "We have
come here to follow our divine Lord in this or
dinance. He came to John and requested to be
baptized. John felt the purity and
majesty of his character. Lord he said, 81
have need to be baptized of theeh Suffer it
now" said mis- Lord, ''for thus it becometh us to
fulfill all righteousness" and the Son of God
went down into the water and was baptized of
John in Jordan. To-day we follow our Lord
AS the Spirit of God witnessed to His sonship,
oh, may it witness to you who shall take part in
this ordinance This is of deep significance.
AS our Lord was baptized in the grave, so you
will be buried in baptism. The old man of sin
goes down in death and burial. but Christ rose
by the power of God to walk in triumph, so you
rise to walk in newness of life with Him." After
prayer, a hymn was sung, and candidates came
forward Two ministers administered the ordi-
nance together. The people seemed to realize
the solemn character of the service. 1t was
really affecting to see hoary heads and youth
come forward together. Father and son, mother
and daughter. Tears dmmed many eyes. Two
cripples were carried in One lady on stretch
er was lowered beneath the waters. They came
forth with radiant faces and professed that they
rejoiced in God After the baptism the company
marched back in quiet order. The ground was
fairly alive with people. An interesting dis
course was delivered on the United States as
subject of prophecy. 1t was shown that in the
near future may look for union oe church
and state. The national reform party, in their
efforts to put religious customs and confpe mems
religious views TO what they may consider fun
damenta, is fulfilling prophecy and will lead our
country in the path of the old prosecuting king
doms of the past The day was filled up with
business affair." The reports of the Indiana con-
ference show that there are forty churches
in the State, with membership of 1000 persons;
sixteen ministers and licentiates. with receipts
for the year amounting to So, 165. 46 The Sab
bath-schools number ffty-two, with member
ship of / 1886 persons; their contributions amount
to $354 43. This conference has live mission
ary spirit. The missionary societies number
thirty five, with membership of 433 They
have made a, 1913 missionary visits, writ
ten 7l3 letters. distributed 30,365 periodicals
and 041 400 pages of tracts, and have handled
$3 788. 84 during the past year. The conference
is full of ZEAL and if they live up to the resoIu-
tions they have expressed the State of Indiana
will be aware of their influence during the COM
ing year The people of Wabash are much
pleased with the camp meeting, and many have
expressed their regret that it could not continue
longer. Urgent invitations have been received
for some of the workers to remain and work for
the interest in Wabash. The closing service will
be held Tuesday morning. Four thousand two
hundred and fifty dollars was raised this morn
ing for the extension of the work at homo and
abroad An ordination service took place this
afternoon. It was an interesting sight To
morrow the camp will begin to be dismantled-
the tents taken down and the people speeding
away to their homes
H.