Camp-Meetings in Australia by O. A. OLSEN.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 29, 1909

Camp-Meetings in Australia

By O. A. OLSEN.

OUR meetings the present season have been times of blessing and great refreshing. I think we can freely say that all the meetings have been in advance of former years, in both attendance and general interest; though in some cases more than in others.

At the time of the late union conference many changes were made, and several of our conference presidents were moved. We are pleased to say that all these changes are proving a real blessing to the work.

Our camp-meetings in New Zealand, Victoria, and South Australia were times of victory and advancement in the work. I will not attempt a detailed report. In each case a good outside interest was developed.

During the Victoria meeting, at Box Hill, a suburb of Melbourne, there were ministers who took it upon themselves to go from house to house to warn the people not to go to the camp, and even to advise the storekeepers not to sell our people any goods; but all this, instead of hindering the work, proved a real help. Some came to the meeting who said that they would not have come had they not been warned not to do so.

In our closing meeting, Monday morning, a Baptist deacon was present, who stated in his testimony that while we were building our camp, there were all sorts of conjectures as to what kind of people we were, and also that some ridiculous things had been said about us; but that now they had found out what we really were, he and many others were very glad we had come; for our meetings had been a great blessing to them. He also stated that if he were now asked who we were, he would answer by referring them to Rev. 14:12. The interest is being followed up there, and I learn that they are having a very profitable time.

At the Victoria meeting we had the joy of seeing three of our brethren ordained to the gospel ministry,—A. W. Anderson, C. P. Michaels, and Arthur Smart. The blessing of the Lord witnessed to this move in a very marked manner.

The South Australian meeting is just closed, and this too has been a season of special refreshing. The last Sabbath will be long remembered on account of God's blessing and the working of the Holy Spirit among us. In the move to seek the Lord, some that had wandered far from the Father's house, returned with humble repentance and confession. Anxious parents were made glad to see sons and daughters turn to the Lord.

There were tears of penitence and tears of joy. We all felt that we were beginning to see what our souls have long desired to see. To the Lord belong the praise and glory.

The visit of Brother J. N. Loughborough to the Australian field has been a great blessing. His coming just now seems to be what was needed. The Lord has greatly used his testimony to the building up and the strengthening of the faith and courage of our people—because of the marked manner in which God has led in the message all the way from the beginning to the present. Brother Loughborough has also enjoyed a remarkable degree of health and strength. He has now visited all our conferences. The long journeys by land and sea have not worried him in the least. Indeed, he seems to be much stronger physically now than on his arrival last August. The Lord has sustained his aged servant in a very marked manner.

Our people have greatly enjoyed hearing from one who has been personally connected with the work for so long a period. Especially were they interested in his experience in connection with the spirit of prophecy. Personally, I have greatly appreciated the privilege of being associated with Brother Loughborough during these months that we have traveled and labored together.

On Monday, March 8, 1909, we parted company, he returning to Victoria to visit Warburton and North Fitzroy, and then, on March 26 to embark for South Africa. May the rich blessing of the Lord go with him and bring him safely to his destination. O. A. OLSEN.