In Touch With the Field
By F. M. W.
THERE is a rest in change, even though it involves extra work and earnest labor. From the editorial den to the tented field; from poring over endless manuscripts, many of which are interesting and inspiring and some dull and prosy, to talking face to face with our contributors; from receiving and writing long letters, to handclasp with the correspondents themselves; from the dull monotony, which at times attends routine work in the factory, to the stir and bustle of the active field operations,—such a change is pleasant indeed, and we were afforded this pleasure during the last few weeks as we met with our brethren and sisters of Wisconsin and Michigan in their annual convocations. The meetings at Stevens Point, Wis., and at Holly, Mich., were inspiring occasions. From eight hundred to one thousand persons attended each gathering. Among these worshipers were men and women of varied experience, but possessed with the one longing for a deeper consecration of heart and life to God and the obtaining of a greater measure of his Holy Spirit. Many came from communities wherein they were the only representatives of this work and people. Others came from divided homes where they are not only alone in their neighborhoods, but alone in their family relationship, in the stand they have taken for the truth of God. Some were ministers and Bible workers who had been laboring away out on the firing line. Others were canvassers who for long months had gone from door to door, experiencing all the hardships and pleasures which befall this class of workers, in an effort to carry the special message for this generation to those who know it not. Our camp meetings are occasions for a renewal of the ties of Christian fellowship, and for united cooperation in the work and service of God. One who visits our large gatherings today is impressed with the fact that during the last decade a new generation for the most part has come onto the stage of action. How quickly the boys and girls spring into manhood and womanhood! At the Wisconsin meeting there were fully two hundred young persons on the grounds, and nearly as large a number at the Michigan meeting. As we looked into their earnest faces, we saw a solution of the problem of the speedy completion of this work. What cannot God accomplish in carrying this last message to earth's remotest bounds through the young men and women connected with our church work, if they will but dedicate their lives to his service! In behalf of the young people at the Wisconsin meeting Elder W. H. Wakeham, of Emmanuel Missionary College, together with the secretary of the Missionary Volunteer department, Miss Frances L. Case, and the secretary of the Sabbath school department, Miss Ida Thompson, carried a heavy burden and did most excellent work. At the East Michigan meeting the same earnest effort was put forth for the young people by Elder O. M. Kittle and Miss Lottie E. Bell. In both conferences are seen the fruits of the efficient work done by Prof. O. J. Graf and his associates at Emmanuel Missionary College, in preparing young men and women for a part in this work. Excellent interest was shown by the citizens of Stevens Point in the evening preaching services. In these Elder A. J. Clark, of the Southern Illinois Conference took the leading part. The reports of the conference departments showed that the Lord had blessed the efforts of our brethren in Wisconsin during the last year. Three new churches were admitted into conference membership. There has been an appreciable gain in offerings to missions, and during the first five months of the present year a marked increase was shown in the tithe funds of the conference. The Bethel and Walderly Academies and the Madison Sanitarium presented encouraging reports showing that a good measure of success had attended these institutions during the past year. Elder P. A. Hanson, the president of the conference, has been connected with the work in this field only a few months. He is fast winning his way into the hearts and confidence of the people, and was reelected president of the conference for the ensuing year. Brother Frank Hiner was chosen secretary and treasurer. The members of the executive committee remain practically the same. By the earnest request of the Minnesota Conference, Elder John Hoffman, who has faithfully labored for a number of years in Wisconsin, returned to his old field of labor in Minnesota, to carry forward work for both the English and the Scandinavians. The interests of the book work were generously represented at this meeting by Elder W. W. Eastman and Brethren J. B. Blosser and J. W. Mace. Much enthusiasm was aroused in this department of the work, and a goodly number of recruits were secured. Elder G. P. Gaede did excellent work in behalf of the German believers. At the close of the Wisconsin camp meeting forty-five followed their Lord in baptism. A number of these are young men and women who went forward with definite conviction and purpose to follow henceforward in the footsteps of their Saviour. The quiet, deep movings of the Spirit of the Lord were present in this gathering, and while there were no particularly striking manifestations, a spirit of deepening consecration took possession of the hearts of the people, and we believe the fruits of this meeting will be seen in the kingdom of God.8 The same excellent spirit which attended the Wisconsin camp meeting was present in the East Michigan meeting. The attendance from the outside was not so large, although a number manifested a growing interest. At this meeting $8,500 was raised in donations and pledges, and $700 worth of literature was sold from the bookstand. Sixty-three persons were baptized at the close of this meeting. At the East Michigan meeting we renewed friendships of former days. It was cheering to find that some who have grown gray in this movement were on the ground, their faces still turned Zionward, still eager and enthusiastic in the advocacy of this message. It was a pleasure to meet again Elder H. Nicola, who in his earlier days bore a great burden of responsibility in connection with our church work, and to renew our acquaintance with Elder L. T. Nicola, with whom we were pleasantly associated in labor years ago. At Holly we visited for the first time the buildings of the Adelphian Academy, and learned of the good work which this institution is doing for the young people in that conference. The laborers in East Michigan for the most part are young men who have heard the call of God to his work. These, with their earnest conference president, Elder William Guthrie, are doing faithful work in extending a knowledge of the third angel's message throughout their populous field. Brother I. J. Woodman was ordained to the gospel ministry. The personnel of the officers and committees for the ensuing conference year, with two or three exceptions, is the same as last year. It afforded us personal pleasure and spiritual refreshing to attend these meetings. We greeted old friends and made new ones. We found pleasure in our association with Elder L. H. Christian, president of the union, whose earnest words of counsel were appreciated by our brethren and sisters. May the rich blessing of Heaven attend the work of the laborers in the Lake Union Conference. F. M. W.