Tent Mission Labor in Minnesota Towns by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 23, 1872

Tent Mission Labor in Minnesota Towns

By Dudley Marvin Canright

Minnesota.

I HAVE been here now two months, and have gained a fair understanding of the situation. Have given one course of lectures, visited several of the churches, attended the camp-meeting, seen most of the brethren, and traveled over eight counties visiting the cities and villages of any size in them. I am much disappointed in not finding a promising field for labor. Nearly all the towns of any size are railroad towns, with a large proportion of foreigners. Then I have found hardly a place but what either the first-day Adventists or our own ministers have preached more or less in them, generally with a tent, too.

After spending all the time I dared to in looking around, we finally came to Albert Lea, county seat of Freeborn County, a place of some seven hundred inhabitants, full half of whom are Norwegians. But we shall probably have to close our meetings for want of interest; nor have we any idea where to go from here. We are confident that there are good openings in the State somewhere, though we have not found them yet.

I have tried very hard to find some one to help me with the tent, in preaching; but have entirely failed so far; and hence have all the preaching to do alone. I think I shall not be able to stand this long. Bro. Hanson tries to help me some by preaching occasionally in the Norwegian language to a few of that people who come to hear.

I have seldom labored under so discouraging circumstances; but shall do the best I can and hope for better days. D. M. CARNRIGHT.