The Wisconsin Camp-Meeting.
By G. C. Tenney
It is our privilege to report this meeting as the most interesting, and in some respects most successful one we have held in this Conference. The grounds were the same that we occupied two years ago, in the outskirts of Baraboo, a thriving town of about 6,000 inhabitants. The arrangement of the camp was superior to that of the previous meeting. There were not many trees, but nearly enough, and nature had spread a most beautiful carpet of heavy green sod mixed with white clover. Over eighty tents were pitched, and room was quite scarce.411One omen of good at the outset was the large number present at the first meeting. The first service was held Tuesday evening, June 17. Elders Van Horn and Farnsworth were on the ground. The opening discourse was by Elder Van Horn, from Rom. 13: 11-14. The first social meeting Wednesday morning was characterized by freedom. A session of the Conference was called at 9 o'clock. Preliminary meetings of all the societies were held as early as practicable. The preaching throughout was calculated to inspire courage in the work, and to impress the idea that the real spirit of the work is the spirit of earnest labor and devotion; also that we were to seek for God's blessing, not in a happy flight of feeling, but in that spirit of humble consecration which would bring us into harmony with the divine will and unite us with the cause of God by sacrifice and labor. Eld. S. N. Haskell arrived on Thursday evening. It is three years since he was in Wisconsin, and we were glad to welcome this dear servant of God in our midst. On Friday we were made glad by the arrival of Elder Butler and wife and Bro. A. R. Henry. The weather was quite warm, and on account of his previous wearing labor Bro. Butler felt its enervating influence to quite an extent. But he was enabled to bear his usual burden in behalf of the people. His teachings were characterized by much feeling, which arose from a deep sense of the wants of the cause and the condition of the people. Sabbath afternoon Bro. Butler spoke on the encouragement to the "little flock" and the preparation for the coming of the Lord. Luke 12: 31-36. The discourse was cut short by a shower; when it had passed, the people were called together, and after an earnest exhortation by Bro. Haskell, sinners and backsliders were invited forward; a large number improved this means of seeking God, and they did not seek in vain. He drew near to his people, and it was a most precious season. Many here for the first time moved toward God. Sunday morning Bro. Butler gave an interesting account of his trip to Europe, and the work there. During the day the citizens turned out to the number of about 2,000. The preaching brought out the Message, Sabbath, and United States in Prophecy. Many good impressions were made. The town had been well canvassed, and no doubt there will be fruit of this meeting in the kingdom. Monday morning the following resolution was laid before the congregation, and adopted by a rising vote:— WHEREAS, The work of the Third Angel's Message is spreading in all lands, and calls for enlarged plans and greater sacrifices; therefore, Resolved, That we proceed immediately to raise the sum of $25,000—$5,000 for T. and M. Reserve Fund, $5,000 for city missions, $5,000 for Battle Creek College, $5,000 for Educational Fund, $3,000 for European Mission, and $2,000 for Scandinavian Mission. Then proceeding to reduce the resolution to practice, the sum of $15,432 was subscribed as fast as two clerks could take the names. At 10:30 the same day, Bro. Haskell preached on the work of the gospel ministry, from words of Paul in 1 Tim. 1: 16. It was a solemn and impressive discourse both to ministers and people, setting forth the qualifications, the call, and the evidences of the sacred office. At the close of the discourse Brn. P. H. Cady, H. R. Johnson, E. E. Olive, and J. C. Mikkleson were set apart to the work of the ministry. Ordination prayer by Eld. Butler, charge and hand of fellowship by Eld. Haskell. The blessing of God witnessed to the work in a powerful manner. In the afternoon baptism was administered to nineteen candidates by Elder Sanborn. Final business meetings of the different societies occupied the remainder of the time quite fully. Resolutions were adopted calling for renewed consecration to the work. Elder Decker was re-elected to the presidency of the Conference and Tract and Missionary Society. The report of the Tract and Missionary Society showed a gratifying increase in the amount of labor performed during the year past. On Sunday the grounds were canvassed for the various periodicals. During the meeting books were sold to the amount of $300, besides Vol. 4 "Spirit of Prophecy," and what was sold to ministers. The meeting possessed many features of interest. I will mention the case of a young man, a devoted but intelligent Catholic, from one of our cities. His wife loves the truth and by a continued prayerful and consistent life had finally broken through his prejudice, and persuaded him to come to the meeting. On the ground he gave his heart to God, and himself to the work. He loses a valuable situation, and incurs the severest displeasure of his former friends. May the grace of God sustain him. The meetings for children and youth were conducted by Elder Van Horn, and were productive of good. Services in the Scandinavian tongue were held each day.