The Superior Mission Field
By M. C. Guild
Last July, by invitation, I came to the Superior Mission Field to labor, and after the good camp-meeting at Gladstone, remained for a few weeks with the workers here, to follow up the interest that was awakened. Six or seven adults have accepted the message, and several others are deeply interested. I next went to the Mancelona camp-meeting in the North Michigan Conference, stopping at Sault Ste. Marie on the way. Elder E. R. Williams and his wife, Sister Belle Campbell, and other laborers have brought some precious souls into the truth here, three of whom were lately baptized by Elder Williams. A building for church purposes has recently been erected, and the members are united, and love the truth. The meeting at Mancelona was a season of great refreshing, and our people returned to their homes, full of hope and good cheer. Surely those who neglect to attend these annual gatherings suffer much loss. From the camp-meeting I went to Iron River, near the center of the iron mining district of the Upper Peninsula. There is a good-sized church of our Swedish people at this place. They have a neat church building in a pleasant farming region, and are now about to put up a building for church-school purposes. Returning, I stopped at Iron Mountain, a city of ten thousand inhabitants, where a little company is striving to hold up the light of present truth. At Wilson I found a church of Belgian French. The unity and love prevailing among them made my heart glad. They have decided to start a church-school in a few weeks. During the past year Elder F. J. Harris and Brother R. J. Bellows have labored at Ensign and Rapid River, and the Lord has richly blessed their efforts. About one year ago there was only one or two Sabbath-keepers in each of these places. Their example and influence have been felt, and now many of their neighbors rejoice with them in the Saviour’s love. September 24 and 25, I met with the believers at Ensign, and assisted in organizing a church of nineteen members. Elder Harris and Brother Bellows were present, and all enjoyed much freedom in presenting the message, and six requested baptism. They have a Sabbath-school of thirty members, and are about to erect a church-school building. At Rapid River a number of adults have accepted the truth, and their Sabbath-school numbers twenty. There are many places in this field where the truth has never been presented, and we invite those who have a love for souls, and who now live in crowded churches where they are not needed, to come and help us by settling in some of these places and holding up the precious light of truth. Farmers do well here, and there are many localities where land is cheap and good. I am of good courage, and can truly say that the way is growing brighter.