The North Dakota Camp-Meeting
By Stephen N. Haskell
The State camp-meeting was held at Carrington, N. D., in the suburbs of the town. It was quite a large camp-meeting, considering the conference was new, and not so large as some sister conferences. The majority of those present were Germans. There were about sixty Scandinavians, and the remainder were English-speaking people. There appeared to be perfect harmony among these different nationalities; in honor they preferred one another. There was no jealousy manifested. A spirit of brotherly love existed among all those who came on the ground. Brethren G. I. Butler and Louis Johnson, my wife, and I reached the camp-ground a day in advance of the meeting. Elders Flaiz and Spicer came the day the meeting opened. Brother Westphal was also present, and labored constantly with the Germans. We should judge that there were not far from five hundred persons present. It was a typical Western camp-meeting. Some lived in wagons, some in tents, and some secured rooms in the village. There were three pavilions upon the ground, used by the three different nationalities. There was no high feeling of tension manifested among the people, but a deep religious experience was gained by many. The Spirit of the Lord was present. God greatly blessed the labors of Brother Spicer among the young. Many of them, for the first time, gave their hearts to God. The meeting increased in interest until the very close of the camp-meeting. Individuals could be seen here and there praying and laboring for those who had not been converted. The place of baptism was seven miles from the camp-ground. There were a goodly number baptized, and many others will be baptized when they return to their home churches. All the business meetings passed off harmoniously. The question of raising money for a school in the conference was a live one. I understood that about twenty-six hundred dollars was pledged for a school, and a committee chosen to select a location, and to carry into effect the establishing of a school. God's original plan was that parents should teach the children. Abraham had a large family, including his servants, but he ordered his household aright. All of them received instruction from him. The schools of the prophets came in to make up a deficiency in Israel when the family school failed. It was designed to educate workers for the cause, and “the sons of the prophets” was the name given to those who attended the school. It has seemed to us that small schools, and more of them, would be far better than large schools, where a large number is congregated together, unless it be a school for the education of teachers, or those who are especially connected with the work. The Lord wants little lights scattered all over the world. Church schools should be numerous, so that, if possible, all the young may be reached. The religious interest in all the tents was good. Many who had already given their hearts to the Lord obtained a deeper experience in the things of God; and there were also those, old and young, who before did not have a religious experience, but obtained it on the ground. God is blessing the people of North Dakota with his Holy Spirit. There were quite a number of union meetings held, and those who conducted them spoke through translators, so that both the Germans and English should get the benefit of the discourse. On the Sabbath, Brother John A. Walker was set apart to the gospel ministry. Brother Butler offered prayer, and Brother Flaiz gave the charge. The Spirit of God, in a special manner, rested down upon the people. Brother Walker was elected president for the coming year. A special interest was also taken in the health and temperance work; in fact, all the phases of the gospel were given proper attention, and the brethren returned home greatly encouraged by the meeting. S. N. HASKELL.