The South Dakota Camp-Meeting by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 22, 1909

The South Dakota Camp-Meeting

By G. B. Thompson

The annual camp-meeting and conference of the South Dakota Conference were held in the city of Sioux Falls, June 24 to July 4. The city granted the free use of a site known as “Seney Park,” and made other liberal contributions toward the meeting.

The attendance of our people from the conference was very good. One hundred thirteen tents were pitched, and about five hundred were camped on the ground. Some were also present from Iowa. Services were held daily in three languages,—English, German, and Scandinavian.

The business of the conference was characterized with the utmost unity, and with much spirituality. Careful consideration was given to the advancement of the work in the conference, and plans were laid concerning the future location of the Elk Point Academy, and aggressive work in other lines. There are more calls for labor than can be responded to, and the past year showed an encouraging increase in the number who have begun to keep the Sabbath.

A deep interest was also shown in the advancement of the message in foreign fields. The Spirit of God is laying the burden of the work in the regions beyond upon his people here as well as elsewhere. The conference voted to turn over regularly to the Mission Board one fourth of its tithe. On the basis of the tithe received the past year this will be more than five thousand dollars for the coming year. We feel sure that the blessing of God will attend the step which is being taken by different conferences to set apart a definite portion of all tithe received for the support of the work in the needy mission fields. The last day of the meeting, while a deluge of rain was falling, an offering was taken for foreign missions, and about seventeen hundred dollars in cash and pledges was received. The conference then increased this amount by voting one thousand dollars from its surplus tithe in addition to the one fourth previously voted.

A good spiritual work was wrought in the camp during the meeting. Several revival services were held, and a number of the youth gave themselves to the Lord for service. Twenty-six were baptized the last Sabbath of the meeting, and quite a number of others will be baptized in their home churches.

The officers chosen for the coming year were about the same as for the past term. Elder J. W. Christian was re-elected president. Elder Christian is still considering the call to stand at the head of the Negro Department formed at the last General Conference; and should he feel clear to accept the place, the conference will release him. Prof. J. I. Beardsley, who has done excellent work the past year as educational and young people’s secretary, was released to accept an urgent call to act as principal of the academy in Alberta, Canada.

Elders R. A. Underwood (president of the Northern Union Conference), J. T. Boettcher, P. T. Magan, Daniel Isaak, L. Johnson, August Anderson, J. N. Anderson, F. L. Perry, Brethren F. F. Byington (manager of the International Publishing Association), W. L. Manful, and T. D. Gibson, and the writer were present during some part of the meeting, and shared with the conference laborers in its burdens and blessings. Dr. C. P. Farnsworth, of the Chamberlain Sanitarium, attended the meeting, and gave much helpful instruction in medical lines.

South Dakota is filled with a thrifty class of citizens, and has great natural resources. The message is rapidly gathering strength in this field. An excellent class of young, consecrated laborers is being brought into service, and the outlook for the work is encouraging. Those who attend the meeting left for their homes with renewed courage and confidence in the speedy triumph of the message.

G. B. Thompson.