Early Camp-Meeting Messages to the Mission Fields by W. A. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 25, 1908

Early Camp-Meeting Messages to the Mission Fields

By W. A. S.

THE brethren assembling in camp-meetings in the North Pacific Union Conference, the earliest in the season, are sending glad messages to the mission fields.

It is impossible for the believers to entertain the thought of enjoying these annual seasons of refreshing without remembering the swiftly spreading work of God in regions beyond. The hearts of all are in the missionary advance.

Idaho’s gift of five hundred dollars from the tithe has been reported—a generous act for this small conference less than a year old.

Western Washington would gladly have made the direct needs of mission funds the object of the special financial call in the camp at Seattle. But their two conference schools had already waited about two years to be released from a five thousand-dollar indebtedness of the schools, in order that help might be passed on to other enterprises. No one could meet the students from these schools—in which one hundred eighty-two had been enrolled during the year—without realizing that they are missionary training-schools, turning the youth straight toward the work of God. Therefore it was decided to clear these schools, and equip them for their work.

The believers went at it with a will, desiring to see the local work set free, so that next time a good fund might be made up for missions. On a resolution to raise half the school indebtedness (twenty-five hundred dollars) at the meeting, the congregation pledged over four thousand dollars; and from portions of the conference not represented, it is expected that the balance will be promptly raised. I believe at their next meeting they will lift even more enthusiastically for missions direct.

The conference heartily approved of the action of its committee in appropriating two thousand dollars tithe to missions at the union conference in February, and voted to add another two thousand dollars, this being most of their tithe surplus. The hearts of workers and believers are fully with the mission fields, and Western Washington aims to strengthen its stakes and lengthen its cords till the work is done.

Western Oregon sends from its meeting in St Johns, near Portland, the same message of cheer and sympathy to the lands abroad. It had no surplus tithe to give this time (the conference having given one thousand dollars of its funds at the union conference meeting), but the believers were ready to consecrate means to this cause.

On a resolution calling for one thousand five hundred dollars for their intermediate schools, over two thousand dollars was quickly raised. At the time of the regular collection in the Sabbath-school, held on the afternoon of the last Sabbath, in a few minutes over three hundred dollars in cash was given to missions, and two thousand six hundred dollars in pledges, while in addition a brother dedicated a farm to the cause of missions, valued at upward of two thousand dollars.

All hearts rejoiced at the rich blessing of God, which made his people offer themselves willingly, and give of their means to advance the work. That Sabbath morning between one hundred fifty and two hundred had definitely surrendered to God cords that had bound. It seemed blessedly fitting that after first giving their own selves, gifts should be brought to the Saviour’s cause.

The Lord is blessing his people, and the people love this third angel’s message. At Seattle and at Portland the presence of the Lord was preciously near in the camp. At the former meeting forty-five or fifty were baptized, and at Portland about seventy candidates offered themselves, though some were to receive baptism later.

Laborers offer themselves for the mission fields in these conferences, and the youth are springing into the work. The believers are winning victories over sin and the world, and the courage of the conquering truth of God fills hearts in these stirring times. It is a rich feast to meet with the brethren and sisters in the northwest. The converting power of God is in their midst as they seek him with united faith.

Other features of the growing work in these conferences must be reported later. I may add that Elder F. M. Burg was re-elected president of the Western Washington Conference, and Elder C. W. Flaiz was called to the Western Oregon presidency. Elder Flaiz was compelled to retire from the presidency of the Northern Union several years ago, on account of serious failure of health. For a time his life was threatened; but by the blessing of the Lord he is able again to throw himself into the work with his former vigor and enthusiasm. For this we all thank God with him. The Northwest sends the word of good cheer and courage to all the believers.

W. A. S. Portland, Ore.