From State to State
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moments’ silence, he said, “Ellen, you will have to attend the New
England camp meeting.”
The next day Edith Donaldson and I packed our trunks. At two
o’clock in the morning, favored with the light of the moon, we started
for the cars, and at half past six we stepped on board the train at Black
Hawk. The journey was anything but pleasant, for the heat was intense.
Upon arriving at Battle Creek, we learned that an appointment
had been made for me to speak Sunday evening in the mammoth tent
pitched on the College grounds. The tent was filled to overflowing,
and my heart was drawn out in earnest appeals to the people
I tarried in Battle Creek but a very short time, and then, accompa-
nied by sister Mary Smith Abbey and Elder E. W. Farnsworth, I was
again on the wing, bound for the East.
The New England Conference
When we arrived at Boston, Brethren Wood and Haskell met us,
and accompanied us to Ballard Vale, the place of meeting. There we
were welcomed by our old friends with a heartiness that was restful.
Much labor was required at this meeting. New churches had been
raised up since our last camp meeting. Precious souls had accepted
the truth, and these needed to be carried forward to a deeper and more
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thorough knowledge of practical godliness.
On one occasion I spoke in reference to genuine sanctification,
which is nothing less than a daily dying to self and daily conformity
to the will of God. While in Oregon I had been shown that some of
the young churches of the New England Conference were in danger
through the blighting influence of what is called sanctification. Some
would become deceived by this doctrine, while others, knowing its
deceptive influence, would realize their danger and turn from it. Paul’s
sanctification was a constant conflict with self. Said he, “I die daily.”
1
Corinthians 15:31
. His will and his desires every day conflicted with
duty and the will of God. Instead of following inclination, he did the
will of God, however unpleasant and crucifying to his nature.
We called on those who desired to be baptized, and those who were
keeping the Sabbath for the first time, to come forward. Twenty-five
responded. These bore excellent testimonies; and before the close of
the camp meeting twenty-two received baptism.