The Dakota Camp-Meeting.
By G. C. Tenney
IF the attendance at the camp-meetings from year to year is an indication of the progress of the cause in Dakota, then we may credit that Conference with a healthy growth. Their sixth annual meeting was held at Sioux Falls, June 25-30. It was indeed gratifying to find on the encampment of this young Conference sixty-five good tents, mostly new and pitched in fine order. And these did not accommodate all the people, quite a number of whom lodged in wagons and adjacent houses. There were nearly five hundred Sabbath-keepers and their friends in attendance at the meeting. The cause was organized in Dakota five years ago when numbers were few. At the first camp-meeting there were about seventy-five Sabbath-keepers, and when the Conference was formed there were but four or five churches. It now has eighteen churches, and a tract society of over three hundred members. The meeting was attended by Elders G. I. Butler, R. A. Underwood, and G. B. Starr, from abroad. Elder Starr conducted the Bible-reading and missionary department, and assisted in the preaching. Elder R. Conradi labored in the German language; and Elder Lewis Johnson in the Danish. The attendance of the Scandinavian people was about one hundred and fifty, and of the Germans about one hundred. The meetings in these languages were427of special interest. There were three services a day in each. The outside attendance was not large; but the interest deepened throughout the meeting. The preaching was close and practical, and had a direct bearing upon our time and work, and the necessity of consecration to that work. As is too often the case many went to the meeting cold and empty. But, under the stirring testimony, they became warmed and filled as God drew near by his blessing. Quite a large number went forward for prayers on Sabbath and Monday, and thirty-two were baptized. The meetings for children and youth contributed considerably to these results. There was quite a general desire expressed to become connected with the cause of God by labor. Over $1,700 dollars was pledged for the South Lancaster School, and the English and Australian Missions. The report of the tract society showed a condition of activity and progress. They have erected a depository building at Vilas, and have considerably increased the assets of the society. Elder A. D. Olsen was re-elected to the presidency of the various organizations. Brother Jacob Reiswick of the German tongue was ordained to the ministry; and ministers' and colporters' licenses were issued to quite a large number who will devote at least a portion of their time to the cause. The meeting was regarded by all as a successful one; and the people went from it very much encouraged. May God bless the work in Dakota, north and south. The field is in some respects a peculiar one; but the Lord has much people there.
G. C. TENNEY.