Wisconsin Camp-Meeting by H. R. Johnson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 3, 1911

Wisconsin Camp-Meeting

By H. R. Johnson

THIS meeting was held in Portage, June 8-18, in the fair-grounds just in the outskirts of the city.

We were glad to see nearly everything in readiness at the opening of the meeting, and the people looking forward to a spiritual feast. Whenever the people of God place themselves in an attitude of longing and waiting for the blessing of Heaven, the windows from above will be opened, and showers of spiritual blessing will fall. We were not disappointed.

The spiritual lessons each day from the Word of God were such as to arouse the people to seek a deeper personal experience and a fuller consecration as a preliminary work to the reception of the greater blessing which is in store for God's people, to fit them for a greater work. “The great outpouring of the Spirit of God, which lightens the whole earth with his glory, will not come until we have an enlightened people, who know by experience what it means to be laborers together with God. . . . When we have entire, whole-hearted consecration to the service of Christ, God will recognize the fact by an outpouring of his Spirit without measure; but this will not be while the largest portion of the church are not laborers together with God. God can not pour out his Spirit when selfishness and self-indulgence are so manifest; when a spirit prevails that, if put into words, would express that answer of Cain,—‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’”— Mrs. E. G. White, in Review, July 21, 1896.

The spiritual work at this meeting deepened from day to day, and the last Sabbath was a day long to be remembered. The Holy Spirit was manifest in a marked degree. It rested upon the people like a gentle dew.

Tears flowed freely; several were converted, backsliders were reclaimed, and a spirit of prayer for relatives and friends came in. At the close of the Sabbath-school in the afternoon, twenty-five were baptized. One more was baptized the next day.

Services were conducted each day among the Germans and Scandinavians. Some interest was manifested by the people of the city, especially among the Germans, some of whom signified their desire to walk in the present truth.

The laborers from abroad, all of whom remained a part of the time, were Elders Allen Moon, O. A. Olsen, R. D. Quinn, H. Shultz, L. H. Christian, C. E. Weber, G. F. Haffner, J. E. Hansen, Professors Caviness and Berthelsen, Brother J. B. Blosser, and Sister Allen Moon.

The business of the conference was attended to during the meeting. Each department of work received its share of attention. The business was executed with despatch and harmony, and there was a general desire to labor for the success and upbuilding of all departments of the work.

Considerable attention was given to the financial condition of the sanitarium. The gain made by this institution in eight months, including the winter months, was fully $2,900 (received from the sale of “Ministry of Healing”), against a loss in operation the previous year of about $1,400. A strong effort will be made to put this institution on a better financial basis.

The schools were reported in a prosperous condition. Bethel Academy made a substantial gain last year. The Waldorf school reported encouragingly. The Clearwater Lake school is free from debt, and has been from its beginning. The tithe showed quite an increase.

Two churches, Beloit and Cumberland, with a total membership of thirty-two, were added to the conference. Elder W. H. Thurston was unanimously re-elected to the office of president. We were glad to see a general spirit of confidence in the management of the work.

Six tent companies will be in the field this season. May God bless their labors.

H. R. JOHNSON.