Wisconsin by C. McREYNOLDS

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Nov 2, 1905

Wisconsin

By C. McREYNOLDS

I CAME to this conference, in harmony with the recommendation of the General Conference, early in July, and spent a short time; and after returning to Kansas to close up my work there, I came back to Wisconsin in time to enjoy the annual camp-meeting, August 29 to September 10. Elder Covert, though called June 21 to take charge of the Northern Illinois Conference, still remained in his position as president of the Wisconsin Conference until the close of the annual meeting.

A very sweet spirit prevailed among the workers and the congregation camped on the ground. The all-important aim of the meeting was to get our eyes upon Jesus, and reach out to the nations of earth with the message of salvation. One very encouraging feature of the meeting was the absence of any strife for position.

Results of a material character were seen. The portion of the money necessary to enable Brother and Sister Burgess to establish the work in India which Sister Burgess asked for, was provided. The necessary funds to construct a home for our Wisconsin mission school in China, under the care of Sister Ida Thompson, was largely raised in scholarships at $17.50 each. This work is still being carried forward, and will soon all be provided. We all feel glad at the thought that, with Brother and Sister Ritchie in England, Sister Ida Thompson in China, Elder B. L. Anderson and his wife soon to go to China, and our workers in the South, who are being supported by this conference, the sun never ceases to shine on the work that we have the privilege of supporting. While all this is being done, the tithes are increasing, so that more workers are being sent out.

It was decided after the close of the annual camp-meeting, to hold a local camp-meeting at Rice Lake, in the far northwestern part of the State. This seemed to be a venture at so late a date. It was decided to hold it October 3-8. We expected but few, probably fifty at most, to attend. We were much and happily surprised to find nearly one hundred and twenty camped. The Spirit of God was in the meetings from the first, and an earnest work of seeking the Lord began early in the meeting. Only one unconverted person who came to attend the meeting, left without conversion. Sixteen were baptized, all of whom were converted at that meeting. A number of those who had wandered from God, returned. The voice of earnest prayer was heard far into the mid-hours of night, and victory was told by shining faces in the early morning meeting. This reminded me of some of our annual camp-meetings of thirty years ago, when the selection of officers, and much other business, was made secondary to the conversion of souls. Let us return to our first love, and such experiences will return.

At a local camp-meeting in Wausau, in June, fifteen were baptized, at the annual camp-meeting there were thirty-nine, and at Rice Lake sixteen, making seventy in all, baptized at the camp-meetings this year.

At this last camp-meeting, in Rice Lake, with such a small congregation, about five hundred and twenty-five dollars was raised; half of it was for the six thousand dollar fund, and the rest was nearly all for China and the colored work in the South.

There were no laborers with us from outside the conference, except Elder Covert, who was there by the kindness of the Lake Union. His labors were much appreciated, and added much to the effectiveness of the meetings.

Elder B. L. Anderson was set apart to the solemn work of the gospel ministry on Sabbath afternoon, October 7. The evidence of God's approval was very marked.

With the help of Brother A. J. Olsen,

much interest was created in various kinds of missionary work. A good company of canvassers will soon be in the field in that part of the State. We are thankful that that work is once more coming to life in Wisconsin. Brother Olsen is working diligently, and the ministers are co-operating with him. Victory is in sight. We will hold on and continue to wrestle till it is realized by seeing an army in the field again.

Our sanitarium at Madison is prospering. A nice class of ten graduates there this week from the nurses' course.

For all these successes we give to God everlasting praise.

C. McREYNOLDS, President.