At Battle Creek.

The National camp-meeting was held at Battle Creek, October 2-14. This was the largest gathering of Seventh-day Adventists ever held. More than forty ministers were present. We were all happy to here meet Elders Andrews and Bourdeau from Europe, and Elder Loughborough from California. At this meeting was represented the cause in Europe, California, Texas, Alabama, Virginia, Dakota, Colorado, and in all the Northern States from Maine to Nebraska.T28 56.3

Here I was happy to join my husband in labor. And although much worn, and suffering with heart difficulty, the Lord gave me strength to speak to the people nearly every day, and sometimes twice a day. My husband labored very hard. He was present at nearly all the business meetings, and preached almost every day in his usual plain, pointed style.T28 57.1

I did not think I should have strength to speak more than twice or three times during the meeting; but as the meeting progressed, my strength increased. Upon several occasions I stood on my feet four hours inviting the people forward for prayers. I never felt more sensible of the special help of God than during this meeting. Notwithstanding these labors, I steadily increased in strength. And, to the praise of God, I here record the fact that I was far better in health at the close of that meeting than I had been for six months.T28 57.2

During the second week of the meeting, on Wednesday, a few of us united in prayer for a sister who was afflicted with despondency. While praying I was greatly blessed. The Lord seemed very near. I was taken off in a vision of God's glory, and shown many things. I then went to the meeting, and with a solemn sense of the condition of our people I made brief statements of the things which had been shown me. I have since written out some of these in testimonies to individuals, appeals to ministers, and in various other articles given in this book.T28 57.3

These were meetings of solemn power and of the deepest interest. Several connected with our office of publication were convicted, and converted to the truth, and bore clear, intelligent testimonies. Infidels were convicted, and took their stand under the banner of Prince Immanuel. This meeting was a decided victory. One hundred and twelve were baptized before its close.T28 58.1

The week following the camp-meeting my labors in speaking, praying, and writing testimonies, were more taxing than during the meeting. Two or three meetings were held each day in behalf of our ministers. These were of intense interest, and of great importance. Those who bear this message to the world should have a daily experience in the things of God, and be in every sense converted men, sanctified through the truth which they present to others, representing in their lives Jesus Christ. Then, and not till then, will they be successful in their work. Most earnest efforts were made to draw nigh to God, by confession, humiliation, and prayer. Many said that they saw and felt the importance, of their work as ministers of Christ as they had never seen and felt it before. The magnitude of the work and the responsibility before God, some felt deeply; but we longed to see greater manifestation of the Spirit of God. I knew that when the way was cleared the Spirit of God would come in as on the day of Pentecost. But there were so many at such a distance from God that they did not seem to know how to exercise faith.T28 58.2

An appeal to ministers, found elsewhere in this book, more fully expresses what God has shown me relative to their sad condition and their high privileges.T28 59.1