Eastern Pennsylvania Camp Meeting by R. T. DOWSETT

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 27, 1916

Eastern Pennsylvania Camp Meeting

By R. T. DOWSETT

THE Eastern Pennsylvania Conference held its camp meeting for 1916 on the fairgrounds in Lebanon, Pa., June 22 to July 2. For several years the camp meeting has been held in Emmanuel Grove, near Allentown, where the campers could be comfortably housed in cottages; and it was a question with the brethren of the committee whether the people would be willing to camp in tents. The committee felt, however, that the Testimonies should be followed in holding the meeting elsewhere, rather than in the same place year after year. So they secured the beautiful fairgrounds in Lebanon, and they were not disappointed, for the brethren and sisters came from all parts of the conference, and the accommodations provided were pleasing to all. It was certainly a most excellent meeting.

From the very first the Spirit of God was present, and the spiritual interest deepened as the meeting progressed. Elder W. T. Knox conducted the first Sabbath morning service, and the Spirit of God was present in power to convict and convert souls. A large number responded to the invitation to yield to the Lord or to reconsecrate themselves in service for the Master. Each day the workings of the Spirit of God were manifest. There were several consecration services during the week, and on the last Sabbath Elder C. S. Longacre led in the service, when nearly every one encamped on the grounds yielded anew to the Lord. Twenty-three were baptized during the meeting.

The brethren and sisters not only responded to the call of reconsecration, but as Elder George Enoch in several meetings presented the needs of the foreign fields, a number of the young people pledged themselves to go wherever God would lead them, and on Sunday morning $3,411 was received in cash and pledges. The Sabbath school offerings for the two Sabbaths amounted to $667. Thus $4,078 in cash and pledges will go on its way to the mission fields as a result of the meeting.

Elder George I. Butler was present throughout the meeting, and his talks each morning were greatly appreciated. As he dwelt on the rise and progress of the message, and especially on the great blessing the Spirit of prophecy has been to this people, the faith and confidence of the brethren and sisters were greatly strengthened.

The laborers present all or part of the time were George I. Butler, W. T. Knox, F. M. Wilcox, C. S. Longacre, and George F. Enoch from the General Conference; B. F. Machlan and E. G. Salisbury from Washington Missionary College; I. A. Ford, from the Review and Herald; and Dr. D. H. Kress, C. V. Leach, and the writer from the union.

Harold Richards and H. J. Detwiler had charge of the young people's meetings. Professors Machlan and Salisbury joined them as soon as they reached the ground, and others assisted. So the young people had a feast of good things throughout the meeting.

One year ago the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference elected its officers for two years, so there was no conference business to be attended to during the meeting. The whole time was given to the spiritual interests of the brethren and sisters. The conference is entirely free from debt. Two churches, with a combined membership of fifty, have recently been organized, and two other companies will soon be organized into churches. The Lord is greatly blessing the efforts of the consecrated laborers in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. The committee is planning for six tent meetings to be conducted in different parts of the conference as soon as the tents can reach the field.

For the past two years the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference has given a full quota of twenty cents a week per member to missions, and the conference is not only self-supporting, but it is sharing its tithe liberally with more needy fields. The goal the laborers have set is “Fourteen hundred members before the close of 1916.” We believe the Lord will use both the laborers and the people, working unitedly, to help reach the goal.

The campers returned to their homes greatly strengthened, and nearly every one said it was the best meeting he ever attended. If those in attendance will carry out the solemn covenant they entered into with the Lord, the results in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference will be manifest, and the books of heaven will some day reveal the fruits of this most excellent gathering.

R. T. DOWSETT.