Northern Peninsula Camp Meeting
By W. W. EASTMAN
THE Northern Peninsula camp meeting was held at Gladstone, Mich., June 17-27. The weather during the first part of the meeting was cold and rainy, but each tent being provided with a small sheet iron stove and with plenty of wood, the campers were enabled to keep their tents dry and comfortable. The camp was pitched in the edge of a beautiful grove only a few rods from the bay. The quietness and beauty of the place contributed to the spirit of devotion that pervaded the camp. The laborers from outside the conference assisting in the meeting, some remaining but a short time and others longer, were: Elder L. H. Christian, president of the union; Prof. J. G. Lamson, of Cedar Lake Academy; J. W. Mace, manager of the Western Branch of the Review and Herald and missionary secretary of the union; J. B. Blosser, union missionary agent; Elder S. Mortenson, superintendent of the Swedish work in the North American Division; and the writer. The spiritual interest seemed to deepen as the meeting progressed, and will be remembered by those who attended as a season of spiritual refreshing. About one hundred were camped on the ground. Each evening the tent was well filled with interested listeners from the town. The newspapers gave liberal space for reports of the meetings. There being no conference business to transact, the entire meeting was devoted to spiritual work and instruction on missionary work. When the needs of missions were presented the last Friday afternoon of the meeting, the people gave in cash and pledges over $500, without urging. The Sabbath school donations for the two Sabbaths of the meeting amounted to over $100. The total for missions was over $600. This was a great surprise to the conference brethren knowing as they did that most of those in attendance were poor. But, like the Macedonians of old, “their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.” The amount given was considered especially good in view of the fact that only about $100 was given at the camp meeting one year ago. The last Sabbath was in a special sense a spiritual feast. Both old and young freely gave themselves to God, some for the first time, and others rededicating their lives for service. Many victories were claimed over besetting sins. In the afternoon, toward the close of the Sabbath, twenty-one went forward in the ordinance of baptism. Twice the administrator led three generations into the water at a time, mother, daughter, and granddaughter. At another time a father and his two little boys were led out together. At other times during the meeting others were baptized, making a total of twenty-seven. We thank the Lord for this good meeting.