River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-06-20
seventh-Day Adventist Camp Grounds.
plea s'ST PARK, }
MINNEAPOLIS, MINI, 7
June 18th. 1889. }

Ed. JOURNAL: Particular business
having called your correspondent to
this place, perhaps brief mention of
what has been seen and heard here
may interest your readers.
The grounds are high, rolling, and
very lovely; and although in the city
limits. with the motor passing every
hour, they were at the beginning of
the meeting in a state of nature. Un-
derbrush had to be cut, grubs ex-
tracted, streets laid out, sites selected
and tents pitched, involving an inn
mense amount of hard york, which
these people DO not seem to mind.
There is a very large pavilion for
preaching in English, another large
tent for German, and still another for
Scandinavian meetings. Also, one tent
for the children, in which two daily
meetings are held with the young
children. Still another 40-foot tent
fitted up as a reception room for
strangers, where there are tables,
beds, rocking. chairs, lounges, carpets,
curtains, toilet tables, water, and tow
els. Another tent 22x34 is tastefully
fitted up as book store, where they
have sold hundreds of dollars worth of
their UNCONVENTIONAL literature during
the meeting.
The city papers made merry over
the fact that they brought out their
safe with their other furniture, but as
several robberies were committed the
first night after the meeting proper
commenced, the safe proved to be a
necessity after all, and several put
their valuables in it after the rob-
berry.
There are about $50 family tents
and between six and seven hundred
people tenting on the grounds. They
are all very quiet and orderly. and
while very few may have come for
fun and "a good time, the greater part
seem intent on drawing near TO God
and getting all the help they can in
this regard.
Most of us, only now and then meet
ing few of these very odd people,
have no idea of the stir they are max
ing Just now. They seem to stand in
the forefront of the battle in opposi-
ton to the "Blair Sunday BILL" say
ing if this bill passes it will put it in
the power of any nam to have another
imprisoned and fined for such slight
thing as cutting wood to get dinner,
or digging a mess of potatoes.
Such things have already been done
in Arkansas where a strict Sunday law
prevailed until recently. Honest,
quiet, God-fearing men were fined
and thrown into dirty prisons with
the lowest criminals for such slight
offenses after conscientiously keeping
the seventh day Sabbath.
On the day they call the Sabbath
most of the afternoon was occupied
by revival meeting, which was
marked by deep seriousness and quiet,
as all their exercises are. Without
much urging 225 went forward for
prayers. Some of these were those
who had grown cold and desired 10
seek their first love, but many were
new beginners. OF these 81 were bap-
tised Monday afternoon in the lovely
waters of Lake Harriet, not far from
the grounds. Many others will doubt
less be baptized on their return home.
The meeting closes June 18th, when
these curious people will fold their
tents like the Arabs and joyfully go
their way.
Though not in sympathy with all !
have seen and heard, | must say that
have heard some good sermons.
These people are in dead earnest
alive, self-denying-and preach saliva
tion only to those who are found
excepting the commandments of God
and the faith Of Jesus"
CTrvnrNT