The Cause in Minnesota
By H. F. PHELPS
As I have seen no remarks in the REVIEW of late in regard to the progress of the cause in this State, I will make a brief statement of matters here, and also of the general meeting just held. Last year Bro. Pierce began to talk about a tent for his part of the field. A subscription paper was started, and if I remember rightly, over $400 was pledged for the tent. Bro. Ingraham went to Chicago, and ordered made, and purchased, a new fifty-feet tent. The whole expense of getting and setting it running was a little over $300. About the middle of July I received a letter from Bro. Ingraham, stating that they had concluded to have a general meeting for the State, but as the time was so short before harvest the appointment could not be put in the REVIEW. He had written to each church. The meeting was held at Shelbyville, Blue Earth Co., commencing July 22, and continued over Sabbath and first-day. We arrived in time to assist in raising the tent. The meetings were of the most interesting nature. The preaching was done by Brn. Pierce, Ingraham and Morse. The Spirit of the Lord was present. The word spoken seemed to have a good effect. We think we never saw so much interest manifested to hear the word of life. The whole country seems to be awake. Bro. Ingraham has received two letters from a town near the meeting; one signed by twenty-five, and the other by twelve persons, requesting that the tent may be pitched near them, and offering timber to seat the tent, and houses for the preachers. On first-day nine were buried with Christ by baptism. Our laboring brethren had seen the necessity of a book and tract fund, for it is necessary, in these hard times, to give away books. A call was made, and to our surprise, about $150 were pledged to the benevolent object of the free distribution of books in new fields. Bro. Ingraham remarked that he believed the time had come when the cause would never lack means in Minnesota again. All, as far as we know, are glad of the appointment for a Camp-meeting in this State, and all, far and near, are very anxious to have Bro. and Sr. White come here this fall to the meeting. We earnestly hope they will come, and we believe they will find a people here who are anxious for their help. We hope all our S. B. Treasurers will pay heed to the remarks in REVIEW No. 3, and send on their closing reports for this conference year ending July 1, and thus be ready for the Conference, which will be held at the Camp-meeting.