UNION COLLEGE AND THE DES MOINES MEETING.
By George C. Tenney
AFTER having attended the camp meeting at Milton, Oregon, our party returned to the East, via the "Short Line." The trip was uneventful except for the ordinary circumstances of such a long ride. Our destination was the annual camp meeting and conference at Des Moines, Iowa. In company with Brother H. C. Lacey I broke the journey in Nebraska, in order to spend a day at Union College, located near Lincoln. There is no feature of any work which affords us greater satisfaction than the progress made in the educational branch. This progress is manifested in an increase of the number of schools, and more particularly in the increased devotion and earnestness with which the youth among us are embracing the opportunity of obtaining an education to fit themselves for a part in the work of God. Union College has sprung into existence within the last three years. The circumstances of its inception are familiar to many, perhaps to most of our readers. But with a knowledge of all these circumstances as they have been given through various reports, a very pleasant surprise awaits the interested visitor to College View. The site is an elevated portion of prairie, five or six miles southeast of the city. The air is doubtless very pure in quality, and as to quantity, there is not much ground for complaint of scarcity. In the brief time mentioned, a pleasant village surrounding a twenty-acre campus has come into existence. The campus contains three large buildings; the central and largest one is for school purposes. The south hall is a lady's dormitory and the north has hitherto been used as a home for the students in the foreign departments, and a dormitory for English-speaking young men. Besides these is a large boiler house in the rear. The sum of $170,000 has been expended upon the place, and it is very evident the money has been well invested and judiciously expended. The buildings face the west and though not extravagant or ornate in their adornment they are pleasing in outline and within are neat, capacious, and well adapted to their purpose. Some changes are contemplated in the home arrangements, which will bring the different departments into one family, a step that will doubtless meet with general favor. We were pleased to find the school in session, and to witness the cheerful, earnest spirit which characterized the students, the unity and peace that everywhere prevailed. Nearly all have given their hearts to God, with their lives and strength, to do his will. There have been nearly one hundred baptisms of students in the past year, and before the year shall end it is expected that that number will be fully reached. There are one hundred and ten of the students preparing to enter the canvassing field during vacation, and over two hundred have some branch of God's work in view in their studies. This school is the center of interest for a large section. The influence it will exert cannot be estimated. For this and similar institutions we should not cease to give thanks to God, and to pray his blessing upon them continually. A workers' meeting had preceded the camp meeting at Des Moines, and when we reached there the latter was two or three days advanced. The situation was in a pleasant grove, two and one-half miles from the center of the city. Two hundred and thirteen tents were on the ground. The attendance at the Sabbath school on the last Sabbath was over 1,600, more than twice as large as the year before. During the camp meeting Elder O. A. Olsen, A. T. Jones, J. H. Durland, and E. W. Farnsworth were the principal laborers, though others were in attendance upon the workers' meeting. This was spoken of as an interesting meeting and profitable time. The meetings on the last Sabbath were solemn and impressive. The power of God was manifested in a large degree, and many found peace in believing. At the close of the afternoon services three brethren, C. W. Gardener, Wm. Everhardt, and Geo. Watson, were ordained to the work of the ministry by prayer and imposition of hands. The Spirit of God was present to testify of the acceptability of the work. Some of wide experience thought it the best day they had ever seen. On Sunday forenoon the rain prevented a large outside attendance. In fact not many strangers came during the day, doubtless on account of the wet weather and ground. In the morning an opportunity was given for subscriptions to the mission funds, and about $2,400 was raised. The Sabbath school offering the day before came to nearly $150, as I was informed. On Monday baptism was administered to ninety candidates. The meeting closed on Monday evening, June 5, though quite a large number took their departure during the day. Altogether there was a deep feeling of satisfaction with the people as they departed for their homes. It had been good to be there, and thus another stage in the heavenward journey is marked. May none of the steps be retraced.
G. C. TENNEY.