THE MINNESOTA CAMP-MEETING.
By John McMillan
Dear brethren and sisters who delight in the prosperity of Zion: It is not my intention to either forestall or supplement the regular report of the Minnesota Camp-meeting, but I feel it to be my duty from my isolated stand-point to speak of the meeting, and of some things growing out of it. I have never before so felt the truth of the words of Jesus, “According to your faith be it unto you.” Matt. ix, 29. I went to that meeting without a shadow of doubt that great good would be done, and that poor I would receive a goodly share of the blessing. Praise the Lord; both his mercy and his truth endureth for ever. I had never seen any of those who were there, save the few who went from my own county, Wisconsin. But it was not from man that I looked for the blessing. I believed that the Lord would meet with us by his Spirit, and I know that many who were there can testify that its sweet, melting influence was felt for days together; not in “a great and strong wind,” not in “an earthquake,” not in “a fire;” but in “a still small voice;” which drew from many a confession in part like that of Elijah. 1 Kings xix, 14. I felt the same as Peter did, like remaining in the mount. But other duties called him down; and so it was with us, Peter must be perfected through suffering, as well as his Master. So must we. We must mingle with the world for a little longer, in order to test our sincerity, by enduring temptation. But dear brethren and sisters who enjoyed the privilege of that meeting, if our future lives are not an improvement on our past, it would be more tolerable for us in the day of Judgment if we had not been to that meeting. Where much is given much is required. See Luke xii, 48. We must live more in the atmosphere of Heaven; we must talk differently with and about others. We should be more strictly honest in our deal. We should read God’s word with greater reverence. Our prayers should have more of the spirit of prayer in them, and that appropriating faith which can claim the promises as ours. These are a very few of the fruits of that meeting which should appear so prominent in our future lives, that the world will take notice of us, that we have been with Jesus. I have often heard and read the words, “the Lord’s tried servants,” but I never realized their force till I saw Bro. and Sr. White, and Bro. Andrews, and learned something of their labor of love, their repeated trials, their abiding faith, and how the Lord is to them an ever-present help. We should strictly guard against the violation of the first commandment; but these worn servants should be honored as God’s humble instruments in preparing a people to endure the seven last plagues. I view as in the providence of God, the spontaneous feeling and the corresponding liberality of that meeting to give the present truth to the people from Norway and Denmark, who are settled in Minnesota. I believe that Bro. Hanson is a humble Christian, and has the burden of souls upon him; and that from him “shall sound out the word,” not only in Minnesota, but “to the region beyond,” in Northern Wisconsin, which is largely settled with Norwegians. My adjoining town is principally settled with such, and if any one, “whose heart the Lord has stirred up,” will order tracts or publications in that language to my address, I will freely distribute them agreeably to the wishes of the donor. But our missionary efforts should not be confined to any place or people. The tract and book fund is worthy of our liberal patronage, so that those who travel can have books for free distribution. I am more and more encouraged to give tracts to every one who will take them, from an incident which occurred while returning from that meeting. Taking my seat in a crowded car, where noise and senseless talk prevailed, I arose and supplied each seat with a tract, “The Sufferings of Christ,” without saying a word, and sat down, when there was scarcely a word to be heard for as much as half an hour. If our faith is weak it may be well to discriminate to whom we give tracts; but if our faith can grasp a whole car load, give a tract to every one. If we should be the means of leading but one to Christ for every hundred tracts that we give away, oh! what “a crown of rejoicing” we should have. At that camp-meeting I learned that the third angel’s message is being given among the mountains of Switzerland; and there I saw their sweet and Christ-like representative, Bro. Enzenberger, who is here preparing to translate our publications into the German language. Soon shall the sound of the message re-echo through the Alpine hills, till it greets the ears of the Waldenses, long since driven to the mountains of Piedmont for keeping the commandments of God. The many and increasing “Macedonian cries” must be answered and met, if we would clear our skirts from the blood of souls. The General Conference fund must meet this expense, at present, and this is sustained by free-will offerings. Dear brethren and sisters, the opening providences of God unmistakably say, “Go labor in my vineyard,
There’s resting by and by.” Let no one be idle because he or she cannot do “some great thing.” God does not require what we have not, but what we have. Every one can do something; even to pray in faith, and soon our faith will bear fruit. The world has long lain in wickedness, and the wickedness is increasing. Time is short and there is much to do. We cannot stand still; we will either progress or retrograde. Satan takes the advantage of all idleness; therefore let us work while it is day, for the night cometh when we cannot work. “’Tis sweet to work for Jesus,
There’s resting by and by.” Pleasant Valley, St. Croix Co., Wis.