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North Dakota Camp-Meetings

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 26, 1906

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 30.

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North Dakota Camp-Meetings

By R. A. Underwood

THREE camp-meetings have been held in the North Dakota Conference this season. Two of these were conducted in the English language, and one in the German.
The first of the English camps was pitched at Rock Lake, a thrifty little village, founded only about two years ago, in the heart of one of the finest wheat and flax belts in the State. The encampment consisted of about thirty family tents, accommodating approximately one hundred of our brethren and sisters.
The denominational membership in North Dakota is very much scattered. The constant removal of families to places where homesteads and cheap lands can be secured, makes our numbers in this conference more or less variable. At present there is an active emigration to the newly formed province of Alberta, Canada.
From the very beginning of this meeting it was manifest that the faithful labors of Elder Huntley and Brother Richard Graham, whose home is near Rock Lake, were yielding a rich harvest. Not only to the evening services, but to the day meetings, the people of the community came in ever-increasing numbers. During the entire ten days there were a number of households—father, mother, and children—who drove eight, ten, twelve, and even eighteen miles to listen to the glad tidings of the gospel of the kingdom. On rainy nights the campers made room for these friends, and a happy company they were.
From the first a blessed spirit marked the meetings. Never have I attended a camp-meeting where there was less gossiping and visiting and more communion among brethren concerning the truths of the Bible. The heavenly Visitor did his appointed work, and about twenty persons, for the first time, declared their allegiance to the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. About seventeen souls were buried with their Lord in baptism.
The interest from the village itself was excellent. Storekeepers posted announcements that during camp-meeting week their places of business would be closed early. Nearly every evening there was a contingent of traveling men from the little village hotel in attendance at the large tent. And from what we learned afterward, in some of these hearts' good seed was sown, which we have faith to believe will yet bring forth fruit in the garden of God.
All through this vicinity Brother Richard Graham and his wife have scattered our literature, given Bible readings, and created a deep interest. To these two self-supporting missionaries belongs, under God, a goodly share of the harvest garnered at this meeting.
The North Dakota field is sadly in need of more English laborers. At present there is only one ordained English minister in the work, besides the president. Another strong, aggressive laborer could do much good. The never-ending ebb and flow of immigration in this vast section gives us a comparatively new population all the time.
The writer was able to be present during but a part of this meeting, being obliged to return home on account of a severe attack of la grippe. Elder L. H. Christian was present two days. We were favored with a visit from Sister Bessie L. Shaw, of India, whose work received a most liberal support from those present. Brother J. S. James and Professor Magan were present throughout practically the entire time.
The school work at Harvey has a splendid prospect for success. Prof. N. W. Lawrence, who has had charge of Mount Vernon College, has been elected president for the coming year.
The German meeting at Bowden was very well attended. A good spirit was manifested throughout. Hearts were especially touched by Sister Shaw's talk on India, and over eleven hundred dollars was subscribed for the work in that needy field. The meetings were conducted by Brethren Valentiner, Haffner, and Kunkel, and the local ministers. Elder J. G. Walker, the president of the conference, divided his time between the meeting at Rock Lake and that at Bowden.
The meeting at Stanley was small, but blessed by the presence of the same sweet Spirit of God. Twelve souls followed their Lord in baptism. There was a fair-sized and deeply interested attendance from the village. Elder C. A. Burman, Brother J. S. James, Professor Magan, and the writer were the principal speakers at this meeting.
At all three meetings a spirit of liberality for the needs of the regions beyond was manifested. Altogether about fourteen hundred dollars was donated for India, two hundred dollars for the Northern Union, five hundred dollars for the work in the South, twelve hundred dollars for the Harvey School, and one hundred dollars for the work among the blind. And in addition it was voted to support a German laborer at Winnipeg with Elder Kunkel this season.
R. A. UNDERWOOD.