Minnesota Camp-Meeting by Dudley Marvin Canright

International Tract and Missionary Society · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Jul 15, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 27.

Minnesota Camp-Meeting.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

THE Minneapolis, Minn., camp-meeting was held on the pleasure grounds in the woods near the shore of Lake Harriet, six miles from the city. A motor train ran every twenty minutes to and from the campment. The trees were sufficiently numerous to shade the entire grounds, which sloped gently, so that the seats in the large preaching pavilion, 80x120 feet, gradually rose as they receded from the stand. The preaching tent would accommodate easily two thousand people. This was filled each night, and on Sunday the large number that came out to the ground could not be seated. There were about one thousand of our brethren and sisters present. One hundred and seventy-four family and church tents were pitched, besides a book-stand tent, a dining tent, and quite a number of forty-foot circular tents. There was also a Scandinavian tent, where services were regularly held. A reception tent was pitched near the large pavilion, for strangers who came upon the ground having children to take care of. There were in all one hundred and eighty-six tents.

The religious interest of the meeting was good from the beginning. Quite a number of Germans were present, who held social or testimony meetings in their own language, as there was no German preacher present. On Sabbath afternoon about two hundred came forward for prayers, and on Monday morning about the same number, while the entire congregation pledged themselves to greater earnestness in the work of God. God’s sweet Spirit rested upon the people, and a heavenly atmosphere seemed to pervade the entire camp. Monday afternoon, after a sermon by Elder Canright on the subject of baptism, ninety were baptized in Lake Harriet, a few rods from the grounds. There were three ministers who administered the ordinance, each taking two candidates into the water at a time. It was an affecting sight to see parents and children going forward together in this ordinance. The water was clear, and everything passed off in a quiet and harmonious manner. The solemn but joyful words, “Praise be to God,” were frequently heard as the candidates came out of the water. The Spirit of God witnessed to the scene.

This is a growing Conference. Six new churches, with about one hundred members, were admitted at this meeting. Minneapolis is the head-quarters for the tract society in this Conference, and the State depository is located here. Here is their training school for Bible workers. Another mission had been opened in St. Paul, and quite an interest awakened. Some of the interested ones came to the camp-meeting and took their stand.

There were eight names enrolled of those who would devote their entire time to canvassing for “Thoughts on Daniel and Revelation,” while many others will enter the field as canvassers for other works, such as the Danish “Life of Christ,” “The Great Controversy,” and “Marvel of Nations.” One brother had sold as high as forty copies of the “Life of Christ” in one day, and sixty in two days. The book sales of this society, for the nine months of the past Conference year foot up $5,225, and 1,009 subscribers were obtained for our different periodicals. It is evident that the time has arrived when there is a growing demand for our publications among many in all parts of the world. The persecution raised in the South, and the imprisonment of our brethren, because they conscientiously keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and do not regard the first day of the week as the Sabbath, is designed to arouse many to a realizing sense of the time in which we live, and of the importance of present truth. Important resolutions were passed by the tract and missionary society.

The friends attending the meeting had reduced rates on the railroads, commencing Tuesday, the day that the meeting closed, so that those who chose to return to their homes before the meeting broke up had to pay full fare. This was as it should be. Nearly all the brethren remained to the close of the meeting. On Tuesday morning two brethren were set apart to the work of the ministry.

About five thousand dollars was pledged on the one-hundred-thousand-dollar fund, which embraces our foreign missions and the International Tract and Missionary Society. There was also about one thousand dollars pledged for their home work. The time has arrived when many of our brethren who have means begin to feel the importance of making a transfer of the same, and giving themselves to the work of God. Those who help in the cause of God will have to do so soon. If we do not act our part faithfully and well, God will raise up others who will take our place in the work, and they will get the reward in the kingdom of God that we might have received. The meeting closed with a good spirit, and the brethren felt much encouraged, and went to their homes with a determination to seek and serve God as never before. Taking it altogether, it was one of the most encouraging meetings we have attended this season. S. N. H.