The Michigan Camp-Meeting by Stephen Nelson Haskell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 28, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 41.

The Michigan Camp-Meeting.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

THE largest company of Sabbatarians ever assembled since the days of the apostles, met upon the camp-ground at Grand Rapids, Mich., from Sept. 20 to 28. This Conference contains about four thousand members, over two thousand of whom attended the camp-meeting. There were pitched upon the ground over two hundred and fifty family and church tents. Besides these, there were eight tents varying in size from fifty feet in diameter to fifty by seventy. These were occupied as bookstands, dining-tents, and for special services. There was preaching in the German and Scandinavian languages, besides the English. The preaching pavilion where the general meetings were held was one hundred feet wide, and one hundred and fifty feet long. It was supported by three center poles and twenty-five quarter poles. These were besides the outside standards around the tent. When all of our brethren were present they nearly filled this

large tent; especially was this true on the Sabbath when the friends met in Sabbath-school. The outside attendance was also good. Everything was neatly arranged, and the preaching pavilion bore tasty mottoes between the center poles and over the preachers’ stand. In taking a view of the camp from an elevation just back of it, one of the most picturesque scenes that a person could imagine was presented. It was like a large city of cotton houses, and occasionally a large tent towering up here and there might represent some meeting-house in a city of as many inhabitants. There seemed to be harmony reigning throughout the entire camp.

The interests of the various associations and societies were considered, and instruction given in different departments of the work at intervals during the entire camp-meeting. The half past five o’clock meetings were well attended. Ministers’ meetings were also held each day at twelve. The camp was divided into thirty-six districts, and at eight o’clock each morning the families met at one place in each district for family prayers. Beside this, the children from six to ten years of age met under the charge of competent sisters who instructed them in the way of salvation. The youth from ten to fifteen met at another place, and the young men and women also had meeting by themselves. It was seldom that many could be found strolling around the ground at the hour of morning worship. The attendance at the general meetings was as good as at almost any camp-meeting which we have attended this year.

On Sabbath there were two efforts made for the unconverted and backslidden. In the forenoon about two hundred came forward for prayers; in the afternoon about three hundred. The congregation was so very large that all excepting those who came forward were dismissed to their places of morning worship, where they held district meetings. Then the three hundred were divided up in the large tent into ten companies, and ministers were appointed as leaders. And thus personal labor was had with each individual. Many gave their hearts to God, some taking their stand for the first time to keep God’s commandments. A large proportion of those who came forward made a start for the first time to seek God; very humble confessions were made. Some who stood in good membership in their churches made confessions of things which no person knew excepting themselves, things which would shut them out of the kingdom of God. God came near by his Holy Spirit and it was a powerful meeting. On Sunday the appearance of the weather was such that the crowd from the city was not as large as was anticipated in the morning. While the preaching was going on under the great pavilion, Miss Dr. Lindsay was speaking to the sisters on the subject of health, in a fifty by seventy foot tent.

Over one hundred students from the Battle Creek College were present at the camp-meeting, and special meetings were held for their benefit every morning; a good interest was manifested, many being converted to God, and others who had made profession of religion before were aroused to make a new start in the service of God. In their meeting Monday morning ninety-six out of a congregation of one hundred and three bore testimony in one hour.

Much interest was taken in the subject of education, and a large number of names was enrolled of those who go from this camp-meeting to attend the College. A call for means was made Monday forenoon, but as there was a heavy rain and many of the brethren were preparing to leave for their homes that day, there was only about $7,500 raised for the general fund and $800 for their home work. About seventy persons were baptized, while the students concluded to be baptized at home. In many respects this was a successful meeting. Many spoke of the meeting as being the best one they had ever attended. Seven brethren were ordained to the work of the gospel ministry. It is evident that the time is near at hand when God will pour out his Spirit in an unusual manner, and such scenes as were witnessed on the day of Pentecost will be re-enacted. May God spare his people and help us all to prepare for the outpouring of his Spirit.

S. N. H.