Montana Conference and Camp Meeting by H. W. COTTRELL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jul 23, 1914

Montana Conference and Camp Meeting

By H. W. COTTRELL

THE Montana camp meeting and conference were held at Helena, the State capital, June 11-21. The camp, which was in an excellent residential section within the city boundaries, was situated in a beautiful little grove, the use of which was furnished without cost.

There were about one hundred and twenty-five persons in attendance throughout the period of encampment, as some of the people who returned home were replaced by other members of their families.

The people were anxious to obtain a deeper experience in things divine, and the Lord wrought mightily but quietly for them. There were those who had wandered away from God, and had for years been feeding on husks, who gladly returned to the Father's house. There were others who desired a real experience in the things of God, having grown poor while feeding on sentiment. The effect of the working of the Spirit of Christ in the hearts of many of those who sought him, brought to their troubled lives peace, quietness, and assurance, through a personal acquaintance with their divine Lord.

There were twenty-two baptized at the close of the camp meeting, making fifty-two during the conference year.

The number of people attending the meetings who were not of our faith was very gratifying. The evening services were devoted to the presentation of definite points of present truth, and a good interest was awakened to hear God's message for this generation. Elder Ernston and wife, who recently removed from western Oregon to Montana, remained to follow up the interest awakened.

The Sabbath school, young people's, book and periodical, and religious liberty departments of the work were all looked after with care, each receiving its proportionate share of attention. The book and periodical sales during the camp meeting were most encouraging.

There was an increase in trust funds of $1,300 over that of the preceding year, and an increase in the amount received for the sale of literature of $3,500. I understand that there has been an encouraging increase in tithe receipts during the year over that of the preceding year, which is said to be normal.

Ministers and other workers in attendance from outside of the local field were: Elder Flaiz, president of the union conference; Elder Longacre, secretary of the Religious Liberty Department of the North American Division Conference; Professors Kellogg and Lawrence, of College Place; Elders L. F. Starr and Grant Adkins; Brother W. R. Beatty; and the writer. A number of these were present only a part of the time.

Elders Longacre and Adkins, Professor Ragsdale, Brother Beatty, and the writer obtained the privilege of a social interview with Governor Stewart, which was a pleasant occasion, and we believe

a profitable one. The governor very frankly committed himself to the great principle of the God-given, inalienable rights of man, by stating that he was a stanch believer in and supporter of religious liberty.

There will be three tent companies in the conference engaged in evangelistic work during the summer.

Elder U. Bender was reelected to the presidency, and the members of the conference committee remain about as last year.

All enter upon the campaign for another year with renewed courage and brighter prospects for greater results.

H. W. COTTRELL.