The Fall Camp-Meetings in Minnesota.
By G. C. Tenney
FOUR camp-meetings have been held in Minnesota this season, one in May at Wadena, in the northern part of the State, a general meeting at Minneapolis in June, and two in September. The first of the fall meetings was held at Owatonna, September 8-13, for the special benefit of our Southern churches. Owatonna is a beautiful place of perhaps two thousand inhabitants of a very quiet, respectable, and intelligent class. The location is a favorable one for such a meeting, being easy of access to all. Some churches were well represented at the meeting while others were not. About thirty-five small tents, two congregation tents, and the book tent comprised the camp, which was pitched in a pleasant spot in the border of the town. The attendance of the residents was quite good, though it would doubtless have been much better had it not been for the cool and unfavorable weather which prevailed almost the entire time. A tent meeting had been held there the past summer by Elders Schram and Gregory, which resulted in quite an extensive interest and about twenty-five embracing the present truth. All the Conference laborers located in this part of the State were present and participated in the labors of the meeting. We also enjoyed the assistance of Brother W. W. Sharp, of Wisconsin. There was a disposition on the part of all to make the meeting a profitable one by drawing near to God. Our prayers were heard and the Lord came near to us with his precious blessing, especially so on the Sabbath, when there was a united move to seek God; ministers and people realized their needs and all pressed to the seats set apart for those who, either for the first time or anew, wished to obtain an evidence of the divine blessing. Many gave themselves more fully to the Lord and his service, and with quite a large number it was their first step in the ways of present truth. Notwithstanding the fact that the weather was quite cool and the preparations to meet it were inadequate, all felt it was good to be there, and the meeting proved a success. The work in Owatonna was more fully developed and since then the friends have secured a church and lot at small cost in a very favorable location, and we have reason to thank God for the work there and to hope that it may become permanent and to his glory. Monday several were baptized. Two weeks later a meeting was held at Sauk Centre, over one hundred miles northwest of Minneapolis. Here also a tent meeting had been held by Brethren E. A. Curtis and A. S. Coon. About twenty-five have taken their stand upon the platform of present truth and a good interest to hear was still maintained. The grounds occupied were the same as last year, only two or three blocks from the center of the town. The meeting was not as large as last year nor quite as large as the one at Owatonna reckoning only our own people, but the outside attendance was better. The tent was well filled each evening and many came in the day-time also. On account of the lateness of the season good preparations were made to meet the cold, and they proved to be timely, for the first night a heavy storm prevailed and the weather turned quite cold. It was necessary to lower both large tents and in the morning they were frozen so stiff that it was difficult to raise them. A strong northwest wind was blowing and as we were out in an open field the prospect was somewhat discouraging. But we succeeded in raising one of the tents and by putting two walls around it, plenty of straw and two large stoves in it, there was an end of discomfort. We prayed for favorable weather, and throughout the remainder of the meeting it was all we could desire. The nature of the meeting was similar to that at Owatonna. Some thought our Sabbath meeting even better. Over one hundred requested prayers and renewedly consecrated themselves to God's service. During both of these meetings the Scandinavian brethren enjoyed the labors of Brother Lewis Johnson. One meeting was held each day in the interests of the Sabbath-school work. Talks were given on various methods of work and an opportunity was given for those who wished to do so to subscribe toward the church building at Minneapolis. Subscriptions amounted to about $600. There is no doubt of the profitableness of these meetings though many were deprived of these privileges by home cares, as the season is a busy one. God has blest us in many ways this year. Our tent efforts have mostly been successful. There are abundant openings for labor. Crops were good, in many places bountiful. To the friends of the cause in Minnesota I would say, God is good; let us put on the armor anew, and work for him during the few remaining hours. The night cometh and also the day. How blest it will be to be found earnestly doing our Master's will. Eight were baptized at this meeting and several others both here and at Owatonna will soon improve another opportunity to go forward in this rite. G. C. TENNEY.