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Minnesota Camp-Meeting

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 20, 1911

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 88, No. 29.

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Minnesota Camp-Meeting

By R. D. Quinn

THIS meeting was held in Hutchinson, June 8-18. The regular session was preceded by a workers' meeting, which began June 1. The people of Hutchinson generously gave us the use of their beautiful city park in which to pitch the camp, and also furnished free water and other facilities.
About six hundred people were encamped on the ground, and one hundred twenty tents were pitched. One interesting feature of this meeting was the large number of promising young people in attendance. The young people's tent was often crowded at the services, and many could not find seats. Great interest was manifested in the meetings. A large number of young people were converted, and others reconsecrated their lives to God in the revival services that were held in the afternoons.
The annual session of the Minnesota Conference was held in connection with this meeting. The business passed off harmoniously, and each department showed substantial gains. Elder S. E. Jackson was unanimously reelected president of the conference, with practically the same executive committee as formerly.
One noticeable and encouraging feature in the Minnesota Conference is the harmony and brotherly love that exist among the laborers. Christ said: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one for another.”
A live interest was taken in our literature, and the sales at the book tent amounted to about eight hundred dollars. On the last Sunday morning of the meeting a call was made for foreign missions and a building fund for the Maplewood Academy. In all, about six thousand dollars was raised in cash and pledges for the two objects named.
From beginning to end, this was a great meeting. In a letter received from Elder S. E. Jackson just following the meeting, he expressed his appreciation of the work done, in the following words: “The general expression is that this is the best camp-meeting we have held in many a day, if not the best ever held in Minnesota.” All seemed to desire to make the meeting a time of earnest and persistent prayer, of heart-searching and putting away of all sin, and for the reception of the Holy Spirit for service.
At eight o'clock each morning, workers' and ministers' meetings were held, and it was gratifying to see all, both old and young, of the large working force gathered together at this meeting. This in itself was a pledge of the desire of all for a deeper and more definite experience.
The instruction of the people in the day meetings as well as some of the evening services was confined to the needs of their own condition in practical life, the key-note of which is found in Paul's letter to the Corinthians: “Thanks be unto God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” The servant of God has said: “He who grasps this thought has before him an infinite field for study. He has the key that will unlock to him the whole treasure-house of God's Word.”
On the last Sabbath of the meeting the usual order of the services was reversed, as was also done at the South Dakota and Wisconsin meetings. This proved a great blessing in all these gatherings. Beginning at 9:30 the whole forenoon was given to the spiritual interests of the people, the Sabbath-school being held at 3:30 in the afternoon. This meeting continued with unabated interest until one o'clock, and resulted in a great victory. Hundreds of men and women from all over the tent came forward. Ministers left the platform, and singers the choir, to join with these in earnest prayer and to reconsecrate their lives to God. A large number were converted, and many backsliders who had not attended camp-meeting for a number of years were reclaimed. To be there was to be blessed, and we were all greatly refreshed and strengthened.
At five o'clock in the afternoon Prof. P. T. Magan led a wonderfully inspiring social and prayer service, the general character of which was a shout of victory and praise to God for deliverance from sin, and the reception of the Spirit for keeping power. The next day a beautiful baptismal service was held in the river near by. Thirty-three persons were baptized.
R. D. QUINN.