Western Washington Camp-Meeting Notes
By F. M. BURG
AMONG those who attended the camp-meeting and conference session held in Seattle, May 21-31, it is the universal comment that the meeting was one of the best ever held in Western Washington. It was surely a season of great refreshing and uplifting to the people of God in this field. One striking feature of the meeting was that nearly all on the ground were pressing eagerly forward and upward in the Christian life. These seemed to drink in the spiritual instruction and the truth which came as “meat in due season,” and left the camp-ground with deeper consecration and stronger courage in God than ever before. On the last Sabbath, after a sermon by Elder Spicer, in which the melting and drawing power of the Holy Spirit was felt, scores of souls, some for renewed surrender and some to find salvation for the first time, came forward; and after earnest prayer for them by the servants of God, and following searching of heart and sincere confessions, testified to liberty in Christ. It was a season which will long be remembered. On Sunday afternoon forty-six willing souls were buried in baptism by Elders J. A. Holbrook and Lewis Johnson. The baptism took place in the beautiful waters of Lake Washington, being witnessed by a large number from the city as well as by hundreds from the camp. The scene was truly impressive, unusual order prevailing throughout. There were one hundred ten family tents on the ground, and in all about five hundred people camped. The following ministers and other workers were present at the meeting and rendered valuable service: From outside the conference, Elders W. A. Spicer, W. A. Colcord, W. B. White, A. J. Breed, H. W. Decker, S. Mortensen, E. W. Catlin, O. K. Butler, M. E. Cady, R. A. Wiper, M. W. Adams, F. H. Conway, and Brethren A. G. Adams, C. E. Weaks, and C. H. Castle. Of our own workers there were present Elders W. W. Sharp, J. A. Holbrook, S. W. Nellis, L. Johnson, A. J. Stone, C. E. Knight, A. J. Stover, J. J. Clark, and the writer; and Brethren W. J. Boynton, L. I. Stiles, C. L. Davis, G. F. Wolfkill, and George Harlow. Elder Spicer’s labors were much appreciated by our brethren and sisters. We had very unfavorable weather for the camp-meeting. However, a good spirit prevailed throughout. The outside attendance was very good considering the weather and other attractions which were in Seattle at the time. Uncle Sam’s fighting ships were in port during the meeting, and of course they held the attention of many. One day during the meeting, services in the camp were taken up, and everybody was given liberty to go and see the great parade and visit the battle-ships. The occasion of the ships being in the harbor at the time of our meeting gave a good opportunity for doing missionary work. Elder Wiper was with us, also Brother C. E. Weaks, canvassing director for the North Pacific Union Conference; and these brethren, together with Brother C. L. Davis, led a strong campaign for the sale of the Naval number of the Signs. About five or six thousand were sold before the meeting closed. Two thousand dollars was appropriated to the General Conference from the tithe surplus, in addition to a like amount which was given during the session of the union conference held at College Place last winter. This sharing of our funds with the great, needy world-field greatly cheers our people, who are anxious to see the warning message given quickly to the world, and our work closed up. The treasurer’s report showed a total tithe receipt for the fiscal year ending April 30, 1908, of $24,480.45, making a per capita tithe for the year of $16.385. The following extract from the president’s annual address is given, showing approximately the amount of money raised in the conference during the past year:— “The books show an increase of tithe over that of last year of $2,862.52, the total amount received by the treasurer being $24,480.27. Offerings have reached a total of $11,379.66, as compared with $8,108.05 last year. The per capita tithe paid has been $16.385, and of offerings $7.63. During the year, $9,231.62 of tithe has been sent to the General Conference and to other fields outside of our own; and $8,101.60 of the offerings taken have been for fields outside of Western Washington, and have gone to their destination. This is a total of funds to other fields than our own, including the tithes to the union conference, of $17,333.22, as against $10,596.71 for the year before.”
At a special meeting held during the conference session, about four thousand dollars was raised in cash and pledges for our intermediate schools. This greatly encouraged our people, who have so much interest in the education of their children. It was voted in the conference that Elder C. E. Knight and wife be released to take up work in South America, the General Conference having invited these faithful laborers to connect with the work in that distant and needy field. We regret very much to have them leave us, but we can not stand in the way of their going when called to a field so much more needy than our own. Credentials and licenses were voted to the following persons:— For credentials: F. M. Burg, J. J. Clark, J. A. Holbrook, L. Johnson, C. E. Knight, A. W. Nellis, W. W. Sharp, A. J. Stone, A. J. Stover. Ministerial license: Adolph Johnson, Wm. J. Boynton, Geo. Harlow. Missionary credentials: Mrs. L. E. Cox, H. A. Green, S. Lela Hoover, Mrs. C. E. Knight, T. J. Linrud, Mrs. W. W. Sharp, A. E. Swanson, G. F. Wolfkill, C. L. Davis. All other names or requests were referred to the executive committee for action. The following officers were elected to serve the conference during the coming year: For president, F. M. Burg; vice-president, S. W. Nellis. Conference Committee: W. W. Sharp, J. A. Holbrook, L. Johnson, A. Q. Shryock, J. E. Graham, A. W. Nellis. Secretary and Treasurer and Missionary Secretary, H. A. Green. We are of good courage and one with our sister conferences everywhere. With the Advent people throughout the field our purpose is to finish the work quickly and hasten the coming of our Lord.