The Minnesota Camp-Meeting.
By George I. Butler
This meeting convened promptly upon time, and was a large meeting. I think it was full as large as any of the Western Camp-meetings. There were twenty-seven tents up, besides the large tent. But these were not as large, perhaps, as those in Iowa and Wisconsin, though more in number. There were many strange faces in attendance, those who have come into the truth under the labors of Bro. Canright and others, the past year; but they seemed as much at home as those who have been keeping the Sabbath for many years. It is nothing short of wonderful how this doctrine can take Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, Disciples, Universalists, and worldlings, all classes and nationalities, who have formerly been opposed to each other, and contending for opposite opinions and prejudices, and bring them so soon into harmony and union, where all speak the same thing. There is power in this truth. If any do not believe it, let them get up some doctrine of their own, and try to bring about such results. I found the brethren in Minnesota very much encouraged at the result of labors among them the past year, and they had good reason to be. Their S. B. fund has more than doubled, and the number of Sabbath-keepers, nearly doubled. The figures of actual membership stood, last year, 287; this year they stand 429, with others not organized. Systematic Benevolence, last year, amounted to $1012; this year, to $2124. This shows what earnest, faithful labor will do. And thus what the Lord had shown concerning that State's being a good field of labor, has been fully vindicated by the result. I rejoice to see such prosperity, and believe we might see more of it, if all those who labor would throw themselves with intelligent earnestness and sacrifice into the work. My greatest fear in our camp-meeting was that this evident satisfaction which the friends of the cause felt at past success would cause some to think they need not continue to make such zealous efforts in the future, feeling that success was assured. I thought I perceived some such a feeling among the people, and feared that the depth of feeling and earnestness which ought to be seen in such a time as this, when there is so little genuine humility and spirituality, and so many causes existing among us for self-abasement, would not be reached. I think, however, the result of the meeting, on the whole, will be good, and its impressions lasting. There was a very great disappointment felt that Bro. and sister White could not be there; so much so, that it seemed very difficult to overcome it, at the commencement. Where several strong gifts were expected from abroad, it seemed rather hard for one weak one to supply the deficiency, or overcome the disappointment. Bro. Canright was not able to labor as usual. He spoke but twice, in preaching. But when I learned of his condition, when in Wisconsin, I took the precaution to have Bro. Matteson go along with me. He was intending to go in a few weeks to labor among his people in the State. His assistance was very much prized in the meeting, and I hardly know what I should have done without it. I was happy to form the acquaintance of Eld. D. P. Curtis, of our S. D. Baptist friends. He seemed much at home with us, freely taking part in our meetings, and seeming to enjoy them as well as any of us. He gave one discourse I am much pleased at the pleasant relations existing between the two denominations, so far as my own observation goes. I judge Eld. C. holds views on many points of doctrine in common with us, as a people, which I presume does not hinder him from still being in sympathy with his own people. We were glad, also, to make the acquaintance of Eld. Stephen Rosie, of Maiden Rock, Wis., formerly of the German Baptists. He came to this country years ago as a Lutheran; but, as the light shone upon his mind in regard to baptism, he walked in it, which, of course, cut him loose from the old church and identified him with the Baptists. He labored several years in the West as a colporteur; then, as a minister. Within a few years, he has become interested in the Advent doctrine, and, lately, in the Sabbath question. At this meeting, he came out fully and decidedly, and, in company with his wife, joined the church at Maiden Rock. He greatly rejoices in the truth, and seems anxious to become thoroughly acquainted with it, that he may teach it to others. He speaks our tongue, as well as the German. I supplied him with books for study, and hope he may do good in the cause. He is anxious for books in his own language, for which, indeed, there seems to be a crying want among us. Bro. Charles Lee, of the Swedish tongue, was also present at our meeting. The readers of the REVIEW have seen his reports from time to time. He reports that sixty Swedes are now keeping the Sabbath, as the result of his labors for a year or two past, keeping up regular Sabbath meetings in four places. He also feels exceedingly the need of tracts in that language, and thinks far more could be accomplished by the same labor if he had them. Eld. Matteson, who understands the Swedish partially, will go back with Bro. Lee to help him in the work, and give such instruction as seems to be needed. I omitted to mention one thing, in my report from Wisconsin, that may be of interest to the readers of the REVIEW. Near Green Bay, in that State, is located a colony of Protestant French, numbering upward of 5000 souls. They are so compactly situated, and so many in number, that, though they have been there some time, but few of them can speak our tongue. A few of them have become acquainted with our people, and become interested in the Sabbath question. Four families have already commenced to keep the Sabbath, and seven souls are wanting baptism. And, through these, many others are interested; so much so that they have offered to pay the expenses of Bro. Bourdeau there if he will come; at least, they did so some time since. They are also very anxious for publications in their own tongue. The Wisconsin Conference passed a resolution, in view of these facts, inviting Bro. D. T. Bourdeau to fill this call, and labor in the State for awhile. Other circumstances might be mentioned concerning their dissatisfaction with their own preachers, which makes it seem clear that the present would be the right time for this call to be filled. Our brethren in the Danish tongue seem to be going ahead of all the other nationalities, in point of numbers, in embracing the Sabbath. They now have quite a number of churches, and three ordained ministers, Bro. Matteson, and Brn. Olson and Hanson, recently ordained. We find them, as a people, very humble and straightforward, and more prompt in discharging their duties than our American people. There are a great many Danes and Norwegians in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota; and very many openings for labor among them, more, by far, than their ministers can fill. Here, then, are four different nationalities and tongues in our own country, in which there are many calls for labor and great prospect of good, and a pressing want of publications. Surely, the providence of God is far ahead of us as a people. What a sad thing it would be if we should allow such interest to subside, and make no effort to meet the want so plainly felt. We must arouse, as a people, and realize the burdens we ought to carry, or we shall fall under the frown of God. And these are all outside of the calls among our own people, which are so very numerous that if we had one hundred faithful ministers, where we have one now, they could find plenty to do. As a people, we need to have our views broader and more extensive. We have a great work upon our hands, if, as we teach, the nations of the earth are to be warned by this message. And they certainly are if it is God's true work for the last days; for that goes to "peoples, nations, tongues, and kings." These facts given above show that God's providence is opening in this direction already. But how poorly prepared we are to step in and fill these openings. May God arouse us to make efforts somewhat corresponding to the magnitude of the work committed to our hands. The social meetings connected with this camp-meeting were interesting, some of them especially so. Sabbath morning, upward of eighty testimonies were given in about forty minutes. Monday morning, also, there was great interest manifested, from one to four standing up all the time waiting their turn to speak. The business matters of the Conference were satisfactorily arranged. Brn. Harrison Grant and John Hanson were ordained, and set apart to the ministry. Upward of $2500 were pledged for our school. Bro. Canright closed his labors37in the State, at least for the present. The condition of his throat was such that it seemed entirely unsafe for him to take the main burden of tent labor upon him this season again. He has labored very hard for some eight years, and certainly he ought to rest a little, that he may not entirely break down and his valuable gift be lost to the cause. He will probably go soon to Colorado to rest awhile with Bro. White in the pure mountain air, and then go to the Pacific coast to labor as he shall have strength. His general health is good, and we feel certain that, with a reasonable amount of care, he will be ready again for the work. The parting of the last morning with his friends for whom he has labored, was truly affecting. May God soon restore him to his usual health. GEO. I. BUTLER. Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, July 3, 1873.