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The Missouri Camp Meeting

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 7, 1916

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 44.

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The Missouri Camp Meeting

By J. T. Boettcher.

UPON my return from Russia, where I have labored nine years, I went to Washington, D. C., to see my family, whom I had not seen for two years. The committee of the North American Division Conference invited me to attend the camp meetings in the Central Union Conference. On the way, I held meetings in Chicago, Battle Creek, Berrien Springs, and Hinsdale. Especially was I pleased to see the fine company of young people in attendance at the summer school in Berrien Springs. The school had a splendid Christian atmosphere. The interest in spiritual things was indicated by the full attendance at one meeting I held at 5:30 A. M.
At Hinsdale I found Dr. David Paulson very sick. Upon his request, we had prayer for him. We hope that the God of mercy will spare his servant yet a little longer to his cause.
The Missouri camp meeting was held August 3-13, in the city of Clinton, where our German Seminary is located. Mr. Farris, a well-known banker of the town, gave us the use of a grove, in which was a large hotel. Here our meetings were conducted. Near the old, abandoned hotel are mineral springs.
Although it had not rained for a month and the weather was very hot, our people came to the meeting. It gave me great pleasure to meet many of our older brethren whom I had known years ago, and also to form new acquaintances. The meetings from the very beginning were full of life.
It was my privilege to give two talks on the work in Russia. The Lord has surely blessed his servants and his cause abundantly during these days of trial. We have only half as many workers in Russia as we had before the war, yet the work has not stopped. We must pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth more laborers into his harvest.
Elder F. W. Paap, from Washington, gave some very stirring talks on home missionary work. These were meat in due season. Confessions were made by some who had not lived in their homes as becomes those who are waiting for their Lord.
A recommendation was placed before the conference concerning the Harvest Ingathering campaign for missions. The plans involved the dividing of the conference into districts and placing in charge of each district strong, efficient leaders; the using of the individual goal card, the rally song, and the thermometer device, as means of strengthening the campaign; the setting of our goal for at least $5 per capita; and the devoting of the whole month of October to this united effort to raise $100,000 for missions. The plans were received with great enthusiasm.
A number of teachers from Union College were present. The young people under their leadership enjoyed a feast of good things. In a reunion meeting which was held on the ground, it was mentioned that the college has missionaries in nearly every land on the globe.
The colporteurs gave a very interesting report of their experiences in Missouri. The Lord has blessed these servants of his in cheering many a heart with the printed page. An institute followed the camp meeting.
It was also recommended that all the church officers and conference laborers join in a vigorous campaign to enlist at least thirty regular colporteurs of proper qualifications to give their whole time to this self-supporting missionary work during the entire year.
The secretary of the Sabbath school department read a paper on the work of this branch during 1915. The donations for the year amounted to $5,414, or an average of $104 each Sabbath, throughout the conference. The necessity of a daily study of the lessons was urged upon all.
On Sunday afternoon, August 6, some of the leading temperance workers of the city came out to give talks on this important subject. Our workers joined with them, and a rousing meeting was held.
Elder R. A. Underwood gave some splendid studies on prayer, and spoke in the conference with his usual vigor and earnestness.
According to the report of the secretary, ten ordained ministers and twenty other workers were engaged in labor in the Missouri Conference during 1915. The membership on Dec. 31, 1914, was 1,299, and one year later, Dec. 31, 1915, the membership was 1,365, making a net gain of 66 members, or two and one-fifth members per worker. We believe it would be well if the workers would set a goal as to the winning of souls. In the European Division our goal has been from eight to ten souls as a net gain per worker. Not that we dictate to the Lord, but we should work to a definite object, and let the Lord give the increase as he may see best.
A few changes in the conference were made. Elder J. S. Rouse, who has been the president of the conference for two years, was released for other work in the Union. It was with reluctance that the people gave him up. Elder D. U. Hale, former president of the Nebraska Conference, was chosen to take his place. As he has worked in the Missouri Conference before, Elder Hale was not a stranger to the people. The brethren telegraphed for him to come, which he did, and received a hearty welcome.
Brother M. L. Meehan, who has served the conference as secretary and treasurer for one and one-half years, was succeeded by Sister Alice Guthrie. Brother Frank Alcorn was put in charge of the bookkeeping and tract society work.
The campers were well pleased with a nice dining hall, which was conducted by Sister Meehan and her coworkers.
On Sabbath afternoon, August 12, we witnessed a precious scene in the little lake within the premises of the camp. Elders J. S. Rouse and J. H. Roth baptized twenty-five persons with their Lord. The most of these were young people. One young man, who a few days before nearly died from drowning, was among the company. I noticed when he left the water that he must have been reminded of his former experience, for his whole body swayed to and fro. It is well for our young people to be ready to meet their God. May the Lord keep those who have made a covenant with him true to his cause.
Meetings were also held daily in the German tent. Personally, I was glad to be among our dear people in a land of freedom where we could talk of God's cause and present the needs of our missions. May the choicest blessing of our dear heavenly Father rest upon the work and workers in Missouri.
J. T. BOETTCHER.