Camp Meetings in California by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 20, 1916

Camp Meetings in California

By G. B. Thompson

It was my privilege to attend four of the earlier camp meetings in the State of California. It has seemed best to those who have charge of the strong, growing work in this field to divide the State into six local conferences, known as the California, Central California, Northern California, Northwestern California, Southeastern California, and Southern California Conferences. It will help to a better understanding of why, in the interests of the work, so many divisions have been made, to remember that in territory California is as large as the States of Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, and Delaware. Then the work has grown through the years until at the present time there are some 10,000 Sabbath keepers in the State, besides a number of institutions, some of which are among the strongest in the denomination.

The first meeting was that of the Central California Conference, held May 25 to June 4, at Hanford, a growing, substantially built city of about 5,000 inhabitants. Elder N. P. Neilsen is president of this conference. The camp was conveniently located, and the evening services were well attended by the citizens. More than eight hundred were present on the Sabbath, and at the revival services scores sought God for a deeper Christian experience. Twenty-one were baptized. Brother C. W. Fuller was ordained to the gospel ministry on the last Sabbath. A most excellent spirit prevailed throughout the entire meeting, and all returned to their homes with renewed determination to be faithful.

The second meeting was the annual camp meeting in the California Conference, held June 1-10, in the city of Oakland. Elder J. L. McElhany is president of this conference. The encampment was well located on a good street-car line, was well arranged, and everything was conducted in a systematic and orderly way. A strong spiritual work was carried forward each day. While there was only a moderate number camped on the ground, the attendance during the evening services and on Sabbath from the churches around the bay was very large, filling the large pavilion at times to overflowing. There was also a good attendance from the city, the evening services being devoted to the stirring themes of the hour. The revival work on the Sabbath was greatly blessed of God. Here, as in all the other camp meetings, the sale of literature was given special attention, and a large amount was sold. On the whole, the meeting was very encouraging, and tended greatly to strengthen the work. As in all the other meetings, the utmost unity was seen.

The next meeting was held June 8-18, in the Northern California Conference, at Stockton, a city of about 25,000 inhabitants. Elder C. Santee is president of this conference. The camp was located in a shady park, the use of which was given free of charge by the city. This was the only meeting where the business session of the conference was held, and here the delegates came together and transacted most of the business a few days before the camp meeting proper began. The utmost unity was seen in all the work of the conference, in business matters as well as in the work of the camp meeting. Brother Santee was re-elected president. The other officers chosen were substantially the same as the past year. A splendid spirit was present during the entire meeting. A strong evangelistic work has been carried forward in the city for some time, and the camp meeting served to bind off the splendid work which had been done.

Here, as in the other meetings, the revival spirit was present, and a strong spiritual work was carried forward daily. The attendance of our people was good, and all returned to their homes encouraged to press the battle to the gates as never before. On Sunday a baptismal service was held in the large church at Lodi, where the sacred rite was administered quietly and solemnly. Plans were laid for some aggressive work in the field during the summer. We were all glad to see our dear Brother Loughborough at this meeting. Though feeble from the weight of years, he attended most of the meetings, and spoke twice.

Following this meeting, the annual camp meeting of the Southern California Conference was held June 15-25, at San Fernando, where one of the strong academies is located. Elder B. E. Beddoe is president of this conference. The camp was a large one, well located and excellently arranged. A most earnest spirit of unity and co-operation characterized the meeting. The attendance was good, and on the Sabbath was very large. The Spirit of God wrought during the meeting, healing bodies as well as souls. On the two Sabbaths especially, many were led to a new and richer experience in the divine life. This was a splendid meeting in every way, and greatly blessed of God. A deep conviction that we are approaching solemn hours, and need a special spiritual preparation to stand in these trying times, rested upon us all. I did not learn the number baptized.

Besides the regular union and local conference laborers, Elder A. O. Tait, editor of the Signs of the Times, Prof. P. T. Magan, and the writer shared in the burdens and blessings of all these meetings. The influence of our schools was seen in the large number of young people present at each meeting. A strong work was carried forward for the youth and children by those having special charge of this work, and many young hearts were won for the Lord. It was truly an inspiring sight to see hundreds of young people in this one State, preparing for the work of God both at home and abroad.

Our duty to the foreign fields was given consideration at each meeting, and quite a good amount in cash and pledges was received. The home missionary work received special attention. A good work was done in all the other departments, which are under the charge of strong, experienced secretaries, in both union and local conferences.

The work in California looks encouraging in every way. The labors of the ministry are being attended with good results, and there is a spirit of unity and aggressiveness manifested everywhere. The educational work being carried forward is of a high character, and the future for the schools looks very bright indeed. The debts resting upon them are being rapidly paid. The sanitariums are all enjoying a good patronage.

Personally, I enjoyed the privileges and blessings which these meetings afforded, and also the opportunity of meeting old friends and becoming acquainted with new ones. I greatly appreciated the sweet spirit of love, unity, and co-operation which we all enjoyed together in each meeting. My wish for the work in this great State is found in 1 Cor. 15: 58: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

G. B. THOMPSON.