California-Nevada Conference by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 7, 1910

California-Nevada Conference

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

The first camp-meeting of the season in the California-Nevada Conference was held in Sacramento from May 26 to June 5. It was only a local camp-meeting, but we were favored by having Brethren A. G. Daniells, H. R. Salisbury, and F. C. Gilbert with us, and their labors were greatly appreciated.

As far as possible we try to carry out the following instruction in our camp-meetings: “Properly conducted, the camp-meeting is a school where pastors, elders, and deacons can learn to do more perfect work for the Master. It should be a school where members of the church, old and young, are given opportunity to learn the way of the Lord more perfectly, a place where believers can receive an education that will help them to help others. . . . The best help that ministers can give the members of our churches is not sermonizing, but planning work for them. Give each one something to do for others. Help all to see that, as receivers of the grace of Christ, they are under obligation to work for him. Let all be taught how to work.”

The early morning hour from six to seven o’clock was given to Bible study. Subjects were studied that were “calculated to explain the past advent movement, and show what our present position is; establish the faith of the doubting, and give certainty to the glorious future.” These early morning Bible studies always draw a larger audience of the campers than any other meeting.

The hour from nine to ten each day was devoted to missionary work. A portion of the hour was occupied in reports from the librarians of the churches represented, and during the remainder of the time, instruction was given in missionary work. A number of the churches had been doing systematic work with tracts and papers, and had reports worth hearing. Usually these missionary meetings closed with the people coming forward and purchasing literature to carry to their homes. Some special phase of missionary work was taken up at each meeting. One day the work among the Chinese and Japanese was considered, and a large quantity of Japanese and Chinese literature was purchased. Another day the work that could be done with our periodicals was the theme; and after reports of work done, and instruction in regard to the importance and possibilities of this work, several hundred copies of the Signs of the Times Monthly and the Watchman were purchased.

Often while listening to such instruction, many resolve to go to work. If the material with which to work is offered to them in the meeting, they will buy and use it; but if they have to go to the book-stand to purchase, they wait, and often go home without a supply, and so never carry out their resolution.

Special rates were given on our books, according to the instruction given in “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IX, pages 71, 72; and, just as stated there, “because books were being sold at low prices, some being especially reduced for the occasion, many were purchased, and some by persons not of our faith. They said: ‘It must be that these books contain a message for us. These people are willing to make sacrifices in order that we may have them, and we will secure them for ourselves and our friends.’”

At the close of our missionary meeting held the last day of the camp, we offered “Practical Guide to Health,” “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation,” “Bible Readings for the Home Circle” (all in cloth binding), with “Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing” (gilt edges), for $5. In a few minutes thirty-five sets were taken, and several other sets were taken from the book-stand later in the day. A number of sets were purchased for public libraries in surrounding cities and towns.

The sale of literature during the camp-meeting and workers’ institute was as follows: Bibles, $121.05; subscription books, $719.60; trade books, $78.85; tracts, $125.77; magazines, $520.80; subscriptions taken, $47.25,—making a total of $1,613.32.

Two hours each day was devoted to practical instruction on questions of health. From 4:30 to 5:30 P. M. instruction on health topics was given in the large tent; and from 5:30 to 6:30 a class in home nursing was held.

The blessing of the Lord was present during this meeting. The Lord came especially near during the Sabbath services, and both Sabbaths were seasons of special refreshing. The camp-meeting was followed by a workers’ institute of ten days, during which instruction was given in different lines of missionary work. Especial attention was given to the book work, and from the institute a number of workers entered the field to canvass for books. A good force also entered the field with our different periodicals.

We have appointments out for two other local camp-meetings this year besides our general camp-meeting. We hope for a rich blessing from the Lord of the harvest. S. N. HASKELL.