THE SPARTA CAMP-MEETING.
By Uriah Smith
This meeting commenced on the ground occupied last year, at Sparta, Wis., at the appointed time, June 15, 1876. Owing to unfavorable connections on the cross roads which we were obliged to take, to reach this place from Marshalltown, Iowa, we did not arrive at the meeting till Thursday evening. The next morning we were awakened by the heavy pouring of the rain upon the canvas; and it has rained almost incessantly from that time to this present writing, Sunday, June 18, with not much prospect even now of soon abating. In addition to the rain, the temperature suddenly changed to a November chilliness, which made outward circumstances about as unfavorable as they well could be. This, of course, cut off almost entirely outside attendance, and put the endurance and cheerfulness of the brethren and sisters to no light test. But all have endured it remarkably well. Every face looks pleasant and every heart seems to be full of good cheer. This is at once a testimony to the power of the truth, and to the interest of the meeting. While there are clouds and rain without, there are cheerfulness, sunshine, and joy within. The preaching so far has been with freedom, and has been well appreciated by the brethren; and the cheering testimonies of the brethren and sisters, the fervent prayers and stirring words of those who labor in word and doctrine, have caused the people while in the tent to forget the forbidding aspect without, and lifted them above the depression which these circumstances were calculated to produce. At an early hour on Friday labor was commenced for the special benefit of the unconverted and backsliders. The convicting Spirit of the Lord was powerfully present. More than eighty came forward for prayers. Seventeen of these were making their first move in the service of religion. On Sabbath afternoon a similar call was made, and about fifty responded. Among these were many who did not come forward the first time; and many of those who came forward at first did not come at this second appeal, for the reason, they said, that they felt that their prayers had been answered, and they had found peace in believing. It was touching to see parents arise and acknowledge with tears their gratitude to God that some of their children were here making a start in the service of God; others, that their friends were turning to the truth. Some bore testimony who said they had never heard a word on the third angel’s message before coming to this meeting. These seasons were as satisfactory as any of the kind we have ever witnessed. This meeting is larger than the meeting held here last year. There are forty family tents besides the sixty ft. preaching tent, and two forty ft. tents, occupied by families; and had the weather been favorable, the outside attendance, judging from what we hear, would have been unprecedentedly large. As it was, the best use was made of the occasion possible for the benefit of the church. The preaching was largely practical in its nature; and the occasion was, perhaps, more profitable to the church than it would have been had the presence of a promiscuous multitude called for a different kind of labor. Tuesday, June 20. The meeting has closed very successfully for one held under such circumstances. On Monday forenoon, Brn. Geo. C. Tenney and O. W. Olds were ordained to the work of the ministry. A description of this scene may be read in the account of the ordination at the Iowa meeting given last week; for it was a repetition of that scene, with all its cheering features brought out in full measure. In the afternoon, following a discourse by Bro. White on the subject of baptism, thirty-three went forward in that ordinance. Considerable of the time Monday was devoted to the necessary business meetings of the Wisconsin Conference, and of the Tract Society. The utmost union prevailed in all the counsels and actions of these two organizations, and the brethren evinced that they had a mind to work, and that, too, with increasing hope and courage in the good cause. Five churches were added to the Conference, and calls and openings everywhere abound. Here, as in Iowa, the presence of Bro. and sister White constituted in a large measure, the life of the meeting, their counsel and labors giving tone to the exercises and progress of the work. Sister White, especially, was at times called out in powerful appeals, and most forcible descriptions of scenes in the life of Christ from which lessons can be drawn applicable to every-day Christian experience. These were of absorbing interest to all the congregation. These servants of the church, though now of so long and large experience, and notwithstanding all their wearing labors, are still growing in mental and spiritual strength. Tuesday we left Sparta, heavy clouds still darkening the heavens, and occasionally discharging their superabundant moisture which they had so copiously poured upon us during all the last four days of the meeting. And no special signs of cessation yet appeared. Now in Minnesota, on the cars, hastening to the next meeting, we have run into clear sunshine from a cloudless sky; but how long it will continue to rain in the vicinity of Sparta, our limited philosophy cannot determine. Fortunately, the soil was sandy and drank up the rain as fast as it fell, so it was not in the least muddy. If such a storm was to strike any of our camp-meetings, it could not have come in a better place. Between four and five hundred brethren and sisters were present. Another meeting is to be held in Wisconsin in two weeks, at Ripon, and if that shall be as fully attended as this, it will show a degree of strength in the State most encouraging. We see no evidence on the part of any that their confidence in the truth is abating; but, on the contrary, those exhortations which looked to more consecration to the work, and a better living out of the great truths of the message which we claim to be giving, met the promptest and heartiest response from all present.