Missouri Camp Meeting by C. S. LONGACRE

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 2, 1915

Missouri Camp Meeting

By C. S. LONGACRE

THE Missouri State camp meeting was held at Columbia in a beautiful grove at the northern end of the city, August 5-15. Many were heard saying as they left, “Well, this is the best camp meeting we ever attended.” The Lord came very near and poured out his Spirit upon the congregation, not only upon both Sabbath day services, but also during the weekly services at stated times. Upon several occasions the whole camp was divided into sections, and each went apart by itself to seek the Lord for the forgiveness of sin and the baptism of the Spirit for service. About three hundred and fifty of our

people were in constant attendance, and over four thousand dollars was subscribed in cash and pledges for foreign missions, about half of this amount consisting of pledges subject to the sale of property. The Missouri Conference stands at the head of all the conferences in the Central Union in paid-up offerings to missions to date. Since the North and South Missouri Conferences were united ten months ago, the tithe has increased over two thousand dollars for the ten months of the current year over the total tithe of the entire previous year. It is estimated that the total gain in tithe for this year will be over five thousand dollars.

The past ten months also have witnessed a larger ingathering of souls than any previous year. The workers reported over two hundred new Sabbath keepers for this period of time, twelve of whom were baptized at the camp meeting. A large amount of literature was sold to our people for missionary work during the camp meeting. Practically every family subscribed for the REVIEW.

A very good outside interest from the city was developed during the evening services. On the first Sunday night there were about fifteen hundred present, and on the last Sunday night about two thousand. About four hundred were in daily attendance at each evening service. A very successful temperance rally was conducted by our people on the last Sunday afternoon. The ex-mayor of the city, the leading Methodist minister, a prominent W. C. T. U. reader, and one of our own workers took part in the program. Dr. P. T. Magan also delivered a lecture on “The Vatican and the War,” to the Knights of Luther, at a public mass meeting of about five hundred on the courthouse steps in the heart of the city. It was highly appreciated by those present.

The workers present from outside the local conference were: Elders R. A. Underwood, J. W. Christian, and W. W. Ruble and J. H. McEachern from the Central Union. During the first half of the meeting Dr. Paulson, from the Hinsdale Sanitarium, rendered valuable assistance. His talks were much appreciated. Dr. Magan and I attended the latter half of the meetings.

The president, Elder J. S. Rouse, was unanimously reelected for another year, as were practically all the rest of the former conference officers. Everybody seemed happy and of good courage, and went home revived spiritually, and determined to witness for God and his saving truth.

C. S. LONGACRE.