Camp-Meetings in Northwest Canada
By R. A. Underwood
For a little over one month I have labored in connection with Elder C. J. Kunkel in the provinces of Manitoba, Assiniboia, and Alberta. We have held two general camp-meetings and two general meetings, one general meeting in Assiniboia, and one in Manitoba among our German brethren. These provinces present a territory of over one thousand miles in length, and reaching as far north as people can live. The Northern Union Conference extends over the greater portion of northwestern Canada, which is largely a mission field. The Manitoba conference has two hundred and eighty-four church-members. Their camp-meeting was held at Portage La Prairie, June 28 to July 10. The attendance of our own people at this meeting was about ninety persons. Elders C. J. Kunkel and W. H. Anderson, Prof. M. B. Van Kirk, and the writer assisted the local laborers in the meeting. The attendance from the outside was not large, yet some manifested much interest in the truths presented. The meeting was not all that we desired, yet as a whole it was a great blessing and encouragement to the work in this field. There was given in donations, in cash, pledges, and implements for the school, five hundred and fifty dollars, besides fifteen dollars for the work in Africa, eleven dollars cash and a pledge of two hundred dollars for the work in Washington. In all, the donations at the meeting amounted to seven hundred and fifty-one dollars. Elder W. M. Adams was chosen conference president, and Elder C. J. Kunkel, vice-president. Elder Kunkel will labor in this field among the German population. The undertaking to establish a training-school in this field had been under way for several months. A farm had been purchased, and buildings partially erected. The school question occupied considerable time and attention during the meeting. It was decided to open the school this fall. The brethren returned to their homes with hope and courage for success in the work. Four were baptized at the meeting. The camp-meeting in Alberta was the first camp-meeting in that field. It was held at Ponoka. There are about one hundred and fifty Sabbath-keepers in Alberta; sixty-five of these were present at the meeting, which was one of general encouragement to the believers in that field. It was thought best to organize the work under more local management than formerly. A committee, consisting of Brethren J. W. Boynton, A. C. Anderson, son, and H. Block, was chosen to have oversight of the work. Stella B. Lowry was chosen secretary and treasurer of the mission field, with R. S. Greaves in charge of the canvassing work. The book sales in this field have been over two thousand dollars during the past year. The tithe of the past eight months has amounted to about seven hundred dollars. The prospect is good for a steady growth in the work. There are now four canvassers and three ministers in the Alberta field, and about the same number in the Manitoba field. There was $78.80 donated to the work in Washington. Into this field of northwest Canada thousands of foreigners are coming, principally those speaking the English, German, Scandinavian, French, Icelandic, Russian, and Galatian languages. Besides these there are many tribes of native Indians, extending as far north as people can live. Among these tribes there are Sabbath-keepers of ability and education, who can speak several languages. If we improve the opening God is presenting to us to develop native workers among these various tribes to carry this message, we must have a training-school here, where persons can be instructed in the truths, and prepared to go among their own people with the light. Such a training-school is in contemplation. We need a Bible teacher and an educator in practical missionary work, to take charge of the training-school which the Manitoba Conference hopes to open this fall. We hope to see the proper instructor and the means secured to carry on the school. To the Indians of North America, we owe this message of love and hope. Should any one desire to help in this work, means can be sent to Mrs. W. M. Adams, 438 Selkirk Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba.