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Life Sketches of Ellen G. White
Mrs. White wrote further, “that the truth we advocated was of great
importance, that the missionary spirit is the true spirit of the gospel.
“This was the first camp meeting that Melbourne had seen, and
it was a marvel of wonders to the people. Far and near the sound
went out concerning this city of tents, and a most wonderful interest
was awakened. Every afternoon and evening the tent was filled to its
utmost capacity, not with a cheap order of society, but with people of
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intelligence, physicians of note, ministers, and business men. We saw
that with the blessing of God this camp meeting would do more to
bring our work before the people than years of labor could possibly
do.
“Thousands visited the encampment, and expressed their delight
and astonishment at the order of the grounds, and the nicety of ar-
rangements in the clean, white tents. No stubborn opposition seemed
to be awakened as men and women listened to the truth for the first
time. The power of God was among us. Brighton was stirred from one
end to the other. An interest was awakened in Melbourne also, and the
surrounding suburbs, greater than anything we had witnessed since the
movement of 1844. The truth was new and strange; yet it took hold
upon the people; for we preached the word of God, and the Lord sent
it home to the hearts of the hearers.
“Many visitors came from long distances, and, as it was in the
1843 and 1844 movement, they would bring their lunch and remain
through the day. A number of the citizens of the place declared that
if they were not living close by, they would hire tents and camp with
us on the ground. They valued the privilege of hearing the word of
God so clearly explained. They said the Bible seemed to be full of
new and precious things, and was like a new book to them. We heard
from many such expressions as these: ‘This is more than we hoped
for.’ ‘Our faith is confirmed; our hope brightened; our belief in the
testimony of the Scriptures made strong.’”
“I have attended many camp meetings,” testified Elder O. A. Olsen
concerning the Brighton meeting, “but I have never before witnessed
such an outside interest. This is more like what in my imagination I
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have thought would be the loud voice of the third angel’s message,
than anything I have seen heretofore. A most profound impression is
made on the city of Melbourne. Wherever one goes, the leading topic