Camp-Meetings in the Canadian Union by H. R. Salisbury.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 20, 1910

Camp-Meetings in the Canadian Union

By H. R. Salisbury.

The Maritime Conference

THIS meeting was held in our church at Fredericton, New Brunswick, August 18-28. In this place we have a very neat little chapel, in a convenient part of the city, but of late years there were so few Sabbath-keepers that the church had been closed. This summer, however, Elder J. A. Strickland held a series of tent-meetings in Fredericton, which were largely attended, and it was thought best to hold a general meeting in the same town, as an encouragement to the new converts. Every night our church was filled with interested listeners, many attending throughout the session; and the workers there are encouraged to believe that a good company will be raised up.

The churches and companies of the conference were well represented, many of the isolated members taking advantage of this meeting as their only opportunity throughout the year to meet with those of like faith. One sister came all the way from Prince Edward Island, the only representative of the third angel's message in that place.

Especially in the business meetings of the conference was there manifested a spirit of willingness to work together in harmony, and to plan and carry out

such arrangements as would build up the cause in all its departments.

Elder J. O. Miller was again elected president. Elder Wm. Guthrie, president of the Canadian Union Conference; Elder C. H. Keslake, superintendent of the Newfoundland Mission Field; Elder M. C. Kirkendall, president of the Ontario Conference; and Brother I. S. Jones, general canvassing agent, were present, and joined with the local workers in making the meeting a success.

From there, in company with the delegates to the union conference, I went to the —

Quebec Meeting

held at Fitch Bay, August 25 to September 5. At this place the union conference was also held at the same time. The meetings, however, both of the local and the union conference, in no way interfered with the spiritual interests of the session. At Fitch Bay we found a good attendance of our brethren and sisters. Although it is a little village, and the truth has been preached there for nearly a score of years, I was happily surprised to find that at each evening meeting every seat in the tent was occupied, a large number of the villagers attending. We have a church building at Fitch Bay, also, and a church-school. At the present time it is also the headquarters of the union conference.

So many of the villagers coming in to our meetings night after night, naturally caused some anxiety to the three ministers of other denominations located there. On the last Sunday night, in the Congregational church just beside our big tent, there was held a union meeting, in which the First-day Adventist minister and the Congregational minister united in opposing our work. The first-named minister, however, showed a very friendly spirit, and spoke in appreciation of our work, rather than against us. The other minister did little more than read from a book written against our work. We trust the truth was helped, rather than hindered. The meetings were continued by Elders Guthrie and Geo. H. Skinner during the next week, with the hope that those interested might take their stand with us. Elder Skinner was elected president of the Quebec Conference for the coming year.

As mentioned above, the Canadian Union Conference also held its meeting at this time. As the reports of the last few years were brought up for review, the delegates present felt that it was a time for taking advance steps in the Canadian Union, and the committee on resolutions gave earnest attention to plans which, if carried out in the spirit in which they were adopted, will result in progress to the cause in that field. In the election, Elder Wm. Guthrie was elected as president of the union, and Brother B. B. Noftsg er as secretary and treasurer.

There being a week between the Quebec and Ontario meetings, I spent the intervening time at the Eucharistic Congress, at Montreal, in company with Elders O. K. Butler and C. H. Keslake. At that place I also had the privilege of speaking twice to the church. I thank God that we have a good church building so well located in that great city. Brother Butler's efforts are being greatly blessed of God, and new members are being added to the church. We were sorry to find that we have no French worker in that great city, where the majority are French, and the little that has been done among that people is languishing for need of help. Before many months pass, we should send into Montreal one who can work for the French in their own language.

H. R. SALISBURY.