North Michigan Camp-Meeting by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 17, 1907

North Michigan Camp-Meeting

By G. B. Thompson

THE annual conference and camp-meeting of the North Michigan Conference was held at East Jordan August 29 to September 9. Sixty-five tents were pitched, and about three hundred were encamped on the ground. Owing to the failure to receive a reduction on the railroads, the attendance was a little less than last year. As the camp-meeting had been held here for three years, the attendance from the village was not large, but a number of interested hearers were present each evening, and listened to the presentation of the various points of our faith.

A most excellent spirit characterized the meeting throughout. The utmost unity was seen in all the business deliberations. Elder S. E. Wight was unanimously re-elected president. The other conference officials remain about the same as last year. Progress has been seen in the various departments of the work during the year. A number have embraced the truth, and one new church was received into the conference.

Here, as in other conferences, the financial needs of our cause were presented, and a very liberal spirit to help was manifested. An effort was made to raise the remainder of the conference's share of the $150,000 fund. To this there was a very hearty response. When the call was presented, one brother gave five hundred dollars. This brother has decided to sell his farm, and go into the canvassing work. Another brother gave forty acres of land—one half to help educate church-school teachers, and the rest for the $150,000 fund. Several others gave one hundred dollars each, and others smaller sums. One sister nearly eighty-five years of age gave to this fund a beautiful quilt she had recently pieced. This was quickly sold for ten dollars. In all, $1,550 was raised. This nearly completes the conference quota, and it is expected that the remainder will be raised in a short time.

The blessing of the Lord was especially manifested in this meeting. We have been expecting that we should come to the time when men would sell their farms and give the proceeds to the cause, as in apostolic times, and go into the work. We saw this done at this meeting. There were other examples of marked consecration manifested also in helping the cause. In addition to the amount raised on the $150,000 fund, about $300 was raised on the education fund and $225 for local expenses.

A number of revival services were held during the meeting, and many marked victories were obtained over besetting sins. The Holy Spirit wrought mightily on hearts. Two baptismal services were held during the meeting, thirty-two in all being baptized. An excellent work was done for the young people, many of whom willingly gave their hearts to the Lord.

In addition to the conference laborers present, Elders Allen Moon, W. D. Curtis, and Brother J. B. Blosser attended the first part of the meeting. Prof. I. G. Lamson was present a short time in the interests of the college at Berrien Springs. The writer attended the last week. The Cedar Lake Academy was represented by Sisters Margaret Haughey and Edith Shepard.

All departed to their homes greatly encouraged by the blessings received at the camp-meeting. New resolutions were formed to remain faithful to the message until it is closed. The Lord is giving rich showers of the Holy Spirit in all these meetings, and the outlook for the speedy close of the message was never more encouraging.

G. B. THOMPSON.