SOUTH DAKOTA CAMP-MEETING.
By L. A. Hoopes
This meeting was held at Sioux Falls, on the same site where the Conference was organized about twelve years ago. The grounds were in a beautiful grove, and were of easy access to the city. Services were held in the English, German, Swedish, and Danish languages. Meetings were also held for the children and youth. The principal part of the business of the Conference was done during the workers' meeting; so that when the general workers arrived, there was no perplexing business to be in the way of the religious part of the meeting. From the first, the meetings were of a revival nature; that is, of a personal nature, for those who felt their need of a deeper work of grace in their hearts. An opportunity was given for the expression of desire for the special prayers of God's people. At all the camp-meetings I have attended, an effort has been made to not unduly urge anyone by getting up an excitement, thus working on the feelings, but rather to let the deep moving of the Spirit of God do its work in every heart. The interest to hear on the part of the citizens of the place was good. The evenings were usually devoted to the presentation of subjects bearing upon special features of the Third Angel's Message. The Lord greatly blessed in the ministration of the Word in every language spoken. It was reported that in the German meetings, every unconverted person camped on the grounds, except one, yielded to the gentle entreaties of the Spirit of God. Baptismal services were held frequently during the meetings. The place of baptism was in the Sioux River, which flowed right by the camp. Fifty-six persons followed their Lord in baptism. The president's report showed some gains. The tithe increased over the previous year three thousand dollars. The Conference is entirely out of debt; has recently bought one new field tent; is supporting one missionary in a foreign field; has added four new laborers to its list of workers; has twenty-seven regular canvassers, whereas two years ago it had none. Two new churches have also been added to the Conference. Every branch of our work received attention. The book enterprise for the liquidation of debts was taken hold of even more enthusiastically than at any other camp-meeting that I have attended. Nearly a thousand books were sold, and pledges for about sixteen hundred dollars were taken to help along the enterprise. Time was given to the consideration of the foreign mission work, and at such camp-meeting the regular First-day offerings and collections were taken up each First-day. The laborers present, in addition to the Conference laborers, were J. H. Morrison, L. Johnson, H. Shultz, P. T. Magan, H. J. Dirksen, E. E. Miles, B. G. Wilkinson, A. Swedburg, and the writer. At the close of the Sabbath afternoon preaching service, Brother Charles A. Burman was set apart for the gospel ministry, by prayer and the laying on of hands. It was an impressive ceremony. The Spirit of God wrought on many hearts. For one, I felt that we were beginning to realize more and more what the blessing of God is, which he has in store for his people at this time. The true secret of it all is found in our often seeking God alone in prayer.