In the Northern Union Conference by R. A. Underwood

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 10, 1907

In the Northern Union Conference

By R. A. Underwood

SINCE my return home after an absence of over four months, I have found much that demands my attention. I have attended two local camp-meetings in Iowa—one at Ute, and the other at Diagonal. These were profitable meetings. A little over two hundred Sabbath-keepers, including youth and children, attended these gatherings. As a result of the meetings twenty-two persons were baptized. The outside interest at Ute was good.

Brethren Rhoads and Burke had been holding a tent-meeting at Diagonal. Some opposition had been developed by the local ministers. Their arguments and objections were such as are usually made, and they were answered by those giving the message at the camp-meeting.

Elder F. D. Starr and the writer did most of the speaking in the English language at both meetings. Elder L. H. Christian and N. C. Bergersen held services daily in the Scandinavian language at the Ute meeting. Sister Dorcas and F. J. Wilbur had charge of the young people's and children's meetings, and good work was done.

About $400 was raised at the two meetings on the $150,000 fund, besides other funds for the general work.

I was present and took part at the dedication of the Chamberlain (S. D.) Sanitarium, September 11. On this occasion, quite extensive preparations were made by the citizens of Chamberlain to show their interest in having a creditable sanitarium among them. The sanitarium is located about one and one-half miles from the center of the town, on the bank of the Missouri River. Its elevation is about one hundred feet above the river, on a plateau overlooking some of the most beautiful scenery found in the West.

A large pavilion was pitched upon the sanitarium grounds, in which the dedicatory services were held. The business places of the city were all closed for the afternoon, and the local physicians, ministers, lawyers, and merchants, as well as the resident population, largely came to take part in the exercises or to enjoy them. Hon. C. L. Brockway, mayor of the city, gave the address of welcome. He also acted as master of ceremonies for the occasion. The city of Chamberlain gave fifteen thousand dollars in cash and twenty acres of land to secure the location of the sanitarium at this place. This naturally cultivates a friendly feeling toward the enterprise.

Elders Harter and Clark had just closed a tent effort in the town. As a result about twenty-five persons accepted the message, and many others became interested.

At present the sanitarium has about twenty-five patients. Since the opening of the institution, which is less than two months, six persons, who came for treatment, have accepted the Sabbath. Three of this number had never heard of our people or work before coming to the sanitarium. An excellent spirit seemed to pervade the institution.

At the dedicatory services, speaking to some four or five hundred of the representative people of Chamberlain, who had contributed largely of their means to secure the location of the institution in their city, Dr. C. P. Farnsworth said: “We take no credit to ourselves for the success of this enterprise already attained. The work of this institution and of all sanitariums conducted by Seventh-day Adventists and the principles for which they stand, form the right arm of the message due to the world, which Elders Harter and Clark have been preaching in the tent in Chamberlain during the past summer.”

Notwithstanding the fact that this work was represented as forming an important part of the advent message at this time, the strongest sympathy and praise for the object and work of the institution were expressed by the local physicians, ministers, and business men, in their remarks and addresses at the dedication.

We can but hope and pray that the Lord may preside over the work of this new institution, and make it a great blessing.

R. A. UNDERWOOD.