The Wisconsin Camp-Meeting by C. McREYNOLDS

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 1, 1908

The Wisconsin Camp-Meeting

By C. McREYNOLDS

THE annual camp-meeting in Wisconsin was held in Madison on the Monona Assembly Grounds. This is a most beautiful place, located on the shores of Lake Monona, directly across from the capital,—a place where many conveniences unusual to a camp-ground were enjoyed.

The four days preceding the meeting were set aside for the business session. The regular camp-meeting began September 4, and closed Sunday evening, September 13.

The laborers present from outside the State were W. A. Spicer, Allen Moon, Frederick Griggs, C. F. Bollman, William Covert, P. T. Magan, O. E. Reinke, M. L. Andreasen, L. H. Christian, J. B. Blosser, W. E. Straw, and J. Wayne.

One hundred forty tents were occupied, beside twenty-two rooms rented from cottages on the grounds. Fully eight hundred persons were present a large part of the time.

From the first it was evident that the Spirit of the Lord was leading in the work. The preaching was with power, and reached the hearts of the people. Almost the entire camp earnestly sought God for a deeper consecration, and there were many conversions.

Five new churches were received into the conference, with an aggregate membership of seventy-seven. As reported by the workers, two hundred twenty-seven new members were received by baptism during the year. About two hundred forty in all were added to the churches. Six new Sabbath-schools and four new primary church-schools were organized.

The report of the book and periodical work showed a very encouraging increase over previous years. About seven thousand dollars in pledges of cash and real estate were given for the Madison and Nashville (Tenn.) Sanitarium, making a total, since May, of twenty-one thousand dollars. Over thirty-two hundred dollars was raised for the sanitarium in Nashville, Tenn., now being provided for the colored people. The Sabbath-school donation amounted to two hundred twenty-four dollars besides the children's donations of twenty-six dollars. This money all goes to China. Four hundred seventy-seven dollars was raised for local enterprises, other than the sanitarium.

Three baptisms were held in the quiet waters of Lake Monona. Sixty followed their Lord in this solemn rite. During this meeting seven brethren were set apart to the gospel ministry. They were P. E. Sheppler, P. M. Hanson, H. P. Anderson, A. W. Spaulding, Byron Post, A. Grundset, and C. Edwardson. Immediately following the second ordination service, the people gathered on the shore of the lake, where the last baptism was held. Even as the last candidates were led from the waters, the deepening twilight brought to us a new day in which all united in praise to God for what he had wrought.

C. McREYNOLDS.