We take pleasure in speaking of the many remarkable incidents in connection with the Eastern Pennsylvania camp meeting which indicate the presence in an unusual manner of the Spirit of God. In connection with the annual conference session, this camp meeting was held at Allentown, Pa., June 18-28. The attendance was about the same as last year, there being in the Sabbath school the last Sabbath of the assembly a total enrollment, adults and children, of 409. We shall not take too much space in telling of the many stirring and interesting things which took place at this camp meeting, but from among them all we shall select three of the main items:—
First, the movement among the young people. In proportion to the size of the camp meeting I think I never witnessed at any such gathering a greater or a deeper forward movement for consecration and education than here on the part of the young people. The last Friday of the camp, the meeting began at 9:30 A. M. and lasted until 12:30. It opened with the presentation by Prof. J. L. Shaw of the plans and purposes of the new college at Washington. Three or four other speakers followed him in the symposium, and a call was made for all the young people in the audience to come forward who felt that God was calling them to higher training for more efficient service, and who would, with the help of God, definitely plan to go to the college. A large number responded, and fifty-two expressed their intention, if God would open the way, to at once make an effort to secure an education for his work.
Then the meeting took a change. Brother I. D. Richardson, general agent of the Columbia Union Conference, and Brother J. A. Ford, of the Review and Herald, had planned to have a symposium on the publishing work at 2:30 P. M.; but the blessing of God was so evidently present in the meeting that they decided to hold the symposium at once. As a result, many of the young people made definite arrangements to go out and earn a scholarship. So deeply moved were the brethren in the audience that between fifteen and twenty of them volunteered to open their homes for the entertainment of these young people should their work bring them to the neighborhood of these brethren.
The Sabbath following was another day of blessing in the deep revival and in the splendid Sabbath school. Dozens of young people, with broken hearts and surrendered spirits, filed up on the platform in many rows deep as they surrendered their young lives to God and to his glorious message. Some in the audience yielded themselves to the truth for the first time; some gave their hearts to God for the first time; and many who had been in the background or trifling with God on some point of duty made definite surrender. The whole audience was deeply moved, and all who surrendered went forward in a definite consecration for 1914.
No less inspiring was the response to the call for foreign missions. The statements of the general treasurer revealed that the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference was, up to June 1, $3,000 in arrears; that is, the total contributions from all sources for the first five months had brought in only $1,975, leaving a deficit of $3,004. So earnest was the response of the congregation to the blessings of God in a foreign mission offering that when the total contributions were counted up, there was found to be on hand in cash and pledges $3,408. Especially is it to be noted that on the last Sabbath morning the Sabbath school determined to surpass all previous records, and laid down a splendid Sabbath school donation of $400.
Practically the same corps of officers was reinstalled for the ensuing term. Elder H. M. J. Richards was reelected president. Owing to the retirement of Brother C. D. Wolff from his position as director of the canvassing work in this conference, Brother C. V. Leach, of Washington, D. C., was called to take the place. Brother Leach arrived on the grounds the latter part of the meeting, and enthusiastically entered upon his work.
During the first three or four days of the meeting we were especially favored with the presence of Elder W. A. Spicer,15who rendered valuable and efficient help. Prof. C. L. Benson and Elder F. W. Paap were present during the meeting to represent the North American Division, and rendered valuable service. Part of the time we also had with us Profs. J. L. Shaw and C. S. Longacre.
