Four Camp Meetings in Western Canada by GEO. F. ENOCH.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 30, 1915

Four Camp Meetings in Western Canada

By GEO. F. ENOCH.

It was my privilege to attend the four camp meetings in Western Canada, in company with Elder Luther Warren, from Vancouver, who labored very effectively at these meetings. Elder H. S. Shaw, the union conference president, also attended all the meetings. They were of special interest because held in territory actually engaged in the war. The consequent state of things can hardly be realized by those who have always lived where there is peace. The conditions were more sharply defined, because in all parts of this country we have a great many brethren who are of German descent, and who have to be very careful to preserve a neutral attitude. Some had thought that the attendance at the meetings would not be large on account of the stringency of the times, and most were sure that there would not be very much given to missions. In this we were all happily surprised, for there had never been so many out to camp meetings, and, with the exception of the first meeting, which was held at one extremity of the conference, the donations to missions were as large, or larger, than at any previous meeting. Truly this cause is the greatest thing in the world, and even the greatest war in the history of the world cannot stay its progress.

At Vernon, British Columbia, we were encamped near a large force of volunteers, also near a large camp where Austrians and Germans were interned. This was a good meeting, marked by the deep moving of the Spirit of God. The German brethren did not try to hold public services. The donations were about five hundred dollars. We felt that under the circumstances this was good, as several testified that conditions were such financially that they did not know how they were to get food for their families.

At Brandon, Manitoba, we enjoyed the sweet presence of the Spirit of God. Old difficulties that had long hindered the cause of truth were put away, and brethren began to see eye to eye. This was a cause of great rejoicing, and greatly encouraged the brethren and sisters to return to their homes with a determination to see great progress in the Manitoba Conference the coming year. The donations at this meeting were about two thousand dollars.

At Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, we found a large number of campers, where just a few years ago there were scarcely any church members. The company of believers has developed in this province with great rapidity. The brethren and sisters had come up to the meeting determined that the time had come when all differences should be put away and the one purpose pervade every soul, that of obtaining the blessing of the Holy Spirit. The Lord came graciously near, and his people were lifted nearer to him than they had ever been before. The offerings for home and foreign work were over three thousand dollars.

The last meeting was held at Lacombe, Alberta. Here also the people had come expecting a great blessing, and because they were thirsty, they were not disappointed. This meeting was marked by large numbers of the unconverted giving their hearts to God. Families where either husband or wife had been out of the truth, were united by the conversion of the other member of the family, and several who were not Adventists, but had accompanied friends to the grounds, were also converted. More than four thousand dollars was donated at this meeting for the pushing forward of the gospel work into all the world.

One striking feature of all these meetings was the way in which the Sabbath schools responded to the appeal made by the writer for larger Sabbath school offerings. I believe it has become a habit with some to feel for the smallest coin in the pocket and drop that in the collection. How much better it will be when each week we bring to the Sabbath school an offering that represents sacrifice, according as God has blessed us during the week. When we set our hearts really to sacrifice,—and that means we must feel what we bring to God,—then the question of funds will be settled. The meetings were small compared with many here in America, but at the last two the Sabbath school donations were very liberal. The Sabbath school offering at Saskatoon, the last Sabbath of the meeting, was $321; at Lacombe, $325 the first Sabbath and $350 the last Sabbath. When it is remembered that this is an average of almost one dollar a member, including the children, one can see that if it is carried out each week, a great inflow of means for missions will result. The young people at these meetings also vigorously took hold of their quota for missions, about five hundred dollars being raised by them for their share at each of the last two meetings.

There is a large number of loyal brethren and sisters in Canada. The Lord gave his servants who led out a message of courage and victory that found a response in the hearts of the seekers, and the shout of victory was heard in the camp. Many expressed it as their determination that when a time of peace comes, if it ever does, they will sell everything and bring it to the treasury, that it may get into the work before it is too late. It takes actual war conditions to make us realize the necessity of laying all on the altar of sacrifice. May the Lord stir our brethren and sisters to a realization of these things before it is too late. GEO. F. ENOCH.