p. 18 | The North Dakota Camp-Meeting by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 16, 1908

The North Dakota Camp-Meeting

By G. B. Thompson

The annual camp-meeting of the North Dakota Conference was held at Velva, June 22-29. The meeting being free from business, was devoted entirely to spiritual work. The attendance was large, considering the membership of the conference. There were over a hundred tents pitched, and more than six hundred were encamped on the ground. The majority of those present were Germans, who filled the large pavilion at each good service. Quite a number of Scandinavians were also in attendance, and services were held daily in this language. There were also present about one hundred twenty-five Russians, and daily services were held for them by Brother A. Boettcher, who speaks the Russian.

Unity and brotherly love characterized this meeting throughout. From the beginning it was evident that the meeting was on a high spiritual plane. The great blessing received on the Sabbath will not soon be forgotten by those present. [In the REVIEW of July 9 was printed a portion of a personal letter from Elder Thompson, in which he spoke of the remarkable experience at this meeting, beginning on Friday evening and closing with the meetings on Sunday, when the people donated in cash and pledges about twenty-five thousand dollars for foreign mission work. The part of this report dealing with this experience is, therefore, omitted.—Ed.] It was indeed a genuine revival, wrought by the Spirit of God. There were about eighty-five candidates for baptism. On Sunday about forty of these were baptized in the Moose River, which flowed through the park where the meeting was held. The baptism of the others was postponed to be administered in the home churches.

The meetings when the donations were made were among the most spiritual

meetings of the camp-meeting. We were reminded of the days following Pentecost, when, under the administration of the Holy Spirit, possessions were sold, and the proceeds placed in the treasury to extend the gospel. We believe it will be so again under the latter rain. Instead of adding house to house and farm to farm, those who move under the guidance of the Holy Spirit will dispose of some of their possessions to carry the message to the end of the earth. It is time that this was done, and that we showed by our works that we really believe that the Lord is coming in this generation. This same work which was wrought in the hearts of God’s people on this camp-ground, should be accomplished to a greater or less extent in every conference. Then the message might be quickly finished. The Lord has blessed others in this part of the field with a liberal amount of this world’s goods, and in sacrificing to advance the message they will be greatly blessed of God.

In addition to the amount given for missions over a thousand dollars was raised for the Cheyenne Academy and other local enterprises. The Sabbath-school offering for missions amounted to $121.67.

Nearly all the conference laborers were present to assist in the meeting, Elder R. A. Underwood, president of the Northern Union Conference, Elders G. F. Haffner, C. L. Benson, S. Mortensen, Prof. A. Anderson of Union College, A. Boettcher, W. L. Manful, Dr. C. P. Farnsworth, and the writer also attended the meeting and shared in its labors and blessings.

Youth’s meetings were conducted in the German and English languages and an excellent work was accomplished among the young people and the children. Many gave their hearts to God, and enlisted in the blessed service of Christ.

Considerable interest was manifested by the citizens in the truths presented each evening, and a tent effort will follow the meeting to develop the interest. We hope a strong church may be established.

The blessing of this meeting will be felt throughout the conferences, and the liberal donations made will bring joy to our missionaries toiling in foreign lands, and will materially aid in sending needed reinforcements. The brethren and sisters left for their homes filled with courage and joy.

G. B. Thompson.