Minnesota Camp-Meeting.
By I. D. Van Horn
THIS meeting began on time, June 25, and closed the morning of July 1. The president of the Conference, with quite a number of the brethren and sisters, had been camped on the ground for a week before, to make preparations for the meeting. This gave time to counsel together and plan, that the meeting might start off under the most favorable circumstances. The great majority of our people arrived on Wednesday, and were ready to attend the first meeting. They were not only prompt to come, but nearly all remained to the close. This was the largest, and all were unanimous in saying it was the best camp-meeting ever held in this Conference. A census of the camp taken Monday morning showed that full 900 had camped on the ground. The outside attendance was not large till Sunday, when there were upwards of 2,000 in attendance besides our own people. The best of order was maintained, and that without any special effort, throughout the entire meeting. All listened with deep interest to the points of truth which were set before them. From the very first the devotional meetings took a serious turn. The preaching was mostly practical, showing the present phase of the work. Elder Butler, just returned from Europe, showed in a very clear manner the wants of the cause in our missions there. Many hearts were melted to tenderness as he spoke of the millions of people still in darkness who must be warned. The frequent mention of the present rapid rise of the message, and of its accumulating power, brought moisture to the eyes of every lover of present truth. The time was well filled up with good, heartfelt testimonies in all our social meetings. The Spirit of the Lord was present all through the camp on the Sabbath-day in a very marked manner. In the afternoon, after Brother Butler had given a very feeling discourse from the text, "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him," Ps. 126: 5, 6, a call was made for sinners and back-sliders who wished to seek the Lord, to come forward. Many responded to the call. No one was urged, but still they came till one hundred and seventy-five filled the front seats. It was a sight that melted the hardest heart to tenderness. All were solemnly impressed that the angels of God were all through the camp, casting their hallowed influence around us. Another good feature of this meeting, like the one in Wisconsin, was the interest taken by the children and youth in the meetings held for them. Special instruction was given them on the plan of salvation, the evil and deceptive work of Satan as compared with the benevolence, kindness, and holy character of Christ, the evidences of acceptance with God, and Christian duties, such as baptism, etc. When the Sabbath came, they were all ready to move forward understandingly. Just before the close of the Sabbath, a children's social meeting was held, in which one hundred and thirty-eight testimonies were borne in about one hour. It was a very free meeting. Another opportunity was offered on Monday forenoon for those who were seeking the Lord, and above one hundred came forward. A deep feeling, even deeper than on the Sabbath, was manifested. The broken heart and contrite spirit showed evident signs of the blessing of the Lord. In the afternoon a short discourse on baptism was given, and opportunity offered for those who wished to go forward in this ordinance to manifest it, when sixty-nine gave in their names. We all repaired to the water, where three administrators performed the solemn rite, and all the candidates were buried with their Lord in the clear waters of the Minnesota. Most of these were Sabbath-school scholars, and were moving out for the first time. The business of the Conference was done with the same unanimity and thoroughness that generally characterizes all our work. The brethren and sisters have the same spirit here as in other Conferences. When the demands of the cause were laid before them, they responded nobly. It was voted to raise the sum of $25,000—$10,000 for the reserve fund and State depository, $5,000 for city missions, $5,000 for the Battle Creek College, $3,000 for the Scandinavian Mission, and $2,000 for the central European Mission; $17,700 of this sum was pledged on the ground; this, with what had been previously pledged, would make the amount about $20,000. Thus closed another successful camp-meeting this season. Another great victory has been gained for the cause, and we have another proof that God is moving on the hearts of his people everywhere. This is shown, not only in the giving of means, but also in men and women consecrating and giving themselves to the work. Several in this Conference go out from this meeting to engage as laborers in the cause in one branch or another. May the rich blessing of God go with his faithful servants and bless their labors. I. D. VAN HORN.