The Sparta, Wis., Camp-Meeting.
By Uriah Smith
This was the second Wisconsin camp-meeting of this season, yet it was decided by those who have labored in the State to be the largest camp-meeting ever held in Wisconsin. Twenty-one tents were up, and four hundred or more different Sabbath-keepers were present during the course of the meeting. These were largely new converts from churches in the northern part of the State, recently raised up by a few men, mostly young in both years and experience, who have gone forth with our publications and found many noble hearts who have cordially received, and fervently love, the glorious present truth. Probably not more than half a dozen who attended the southern Wisconsin meeting at Monroe were present at this meeting. By means of the two meetings, therefore, between seven and eight hundred Sabbath-keepers in that State have had the privilege of enjoying the blessings to be derived from a camp-meeting. We have never seen together a company of the friends of the cause who seemed to prize the truth more highly, or who were more joyful in the light they had received. Their testimonies were fervent, intelligent, free from discouragement, and cheerful in the Lord. Some of the best social meetings were enjoyed on this occasion that we have attended at any of the camp-meetings. Fifty-two came forward for prayers. After the service Sunday afternoon, thirty-one were baptized in the pleasant stream that skirted the camp-ground. This was a scene long to be remembered by those who witnessed it. The river here forms a half circle, and from the edge of the camp-ground down to the water, the bank was twenty or twenty-five feet in hight. Probably not less than twenty-five hundred persons were present, lining all the circular bank, and having a fine view of the baptismal ceremony. They maintained the best of order and decorum, while Bro. Sanborn administered the ordinance to the happy candidates. Considering the occasion it was a scene most pleasant to behold. The blessing of the Lord rested upon the place. At this meeting was seen the advantage of being able to devote all the time to religious exercises, no business sessions coming in to occupy the time or divert the attention. And we heard from many what we too seldom hear, the announcement made with joy and gladness that the Lord had blessed them, that they had exchanged darkness for light, and bondage for victory and freedom. They rejoiced in the privilege of attending so good a meeting. At the parting meeting, Monday morning, Bro. John Atkinson was set apart to the work of the ministry, the occasion being, like others of this kind, very precious on account of the blessing of the Lord. Thus closed the last of this series of camp-meetings, being in all respects as good as any, and in some the best of them all. As we look back over the series of the five meetings just closed, at which some fifteen hundred or more Sabbath-keepers in all have been present, we feel especially grateful to God for his blessing that has been bestowed on each occasion. Those who have spoken the word have enjoyed great freedom in speaking; and while they have endeavored to help and encourage others, they have themselves been greatly encouraged by what they have seen on the part of the people. In some cases, we have been led to marvel at what the truth has wrought, and to feel that scarcely any limit could be placed to the possibilities of the work in the future. God's providence is opening ways, and his Spirit is preparing minds and hearts, for a rapid spread of the truth at a point not far distant. And now we shall be pardoned for adding to these lines a note of a personal nature. It has been a pleasure as well as a privilege to us to attend these meetings in company with Bro. and sister White. In all our long association with them, it has never chanced to be our lot to thus be with them in such a series of consecutive meetings from State to State. Hence, well as we have heretofore been acquainted with their labors, in a general way, we have never been in a position to realize so fully as now, nor so fully prepared as now to testify to, the value of their labors, and the benefit of their counsel to the different Conferences and the cause at large. God has given them a testimony for the people, both without and within the church; and his providence has so ordered that they have had an experience in this work from the very beginning, nearly the whole of their public labors being identified with it, and all their interest now centering in it. Hence they are prepared, as from the nature of the case no others can be, to give counsel in regard to the different enterprises, and to at least assist in devising ways and means for the further advancement of this cause. We have been happy to see their testimony received and prized as it was entitled to be. In this the brethren have done well. They have thereby in many instances been relieved from embarrassing perplexities and discouragements. And so long as the evidence presents the same showing that it presents to-day, we can but believe that he is recreant to the best interests of this cause who refuses to co-operate with them, and stay up their hands, in a work to which their whole life has been and is so unselfishly devoted, and to which their whole past record, and their present labors, show them both to have been, and to be, so unwaveringly true.