The Chesapeake Camp-Meeting by K. C. RUSSELL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 6, 1908

The Chesapeake Camp-Meeting

By K. C. RUSSELL

This meeting was held at Wilmington, Del., June 25 to July 5. The camp was located in a beautiful grove in a suburb of the city, near the historic Brandywine River, with a street-car line running near the grounds. The regular business of the conference was conducted in connection with the camp-meeting. In the main the business of the conference passed off nicely.

The attendance of our people was reasonably good, but the attendance from the outside was not large, with the exception of the Sunday services. Both Sabbaths of the meeting were characterized by much of the blessing of God's Spirit in the conversion of precious souls and the reclamation of backsliders. Besides these revival services, a service was held during the week, which was also attended with power. We shall hope and pray that the good work which was begun in many hearts at this camp-meeting will continue until final deliverance shall come to God's waiting saints.

The Lord has been blessing the work in this conference during the past year under the direction of Elder Morris Lukens, who was recently called from the presidency of this conference to take charge of an important line of work in connection with the Review and Herald publishing house. Owing to the fact that Elder Lukens was needed to fill another place in God's cause, the conference released him, and secured Elder L. F. Starr, who had served as the president of the Iowa Conference for seven years, to take his place. It was necessary for him to take charge of the work in the Chesapeake Conference before the conference year expired, owing to the removal of their president.

The Iowa Conference generously released two of their ordained ministers, Elders J. F. Piper and A. V. Cotton, to accompany Elder Starr as laborers to the Chesapeake Conference, and is to support them for one year. In addition to these workers, two laborers were released from the Ohio Conference, Elder F. M. Fairchild and Brother G. P. Gaede, to connect with the Chesapeake Conference. This corps of young workers will give strength to the conference. Elder J. F. Jones is the oldest worker both in years and in connection with this conference of all its laborers. Indeed, his faithful labors have been interwoven with the history of the work in that field from its very beginning. The workers, aside from the regular employees of the conference in attendance, were Elder A. G. Daniells, Elder E. E. Andross, president of the Columbia Union Conference; Elder O. E. Reinke, superintendent of the German work east of the Mississippi; Elders Morris Lukens, W. H. Heckman, W. G. Kneeland, B. F. Kneeland; Prof. S. M. Butler, the president of Mt. Vernon (Ohio) College; and the writer.

An important feature in connection with this meeting was the ordination to the gospel ministry of Brethren G. P. Gaede, C. B. Haynes, and H. R. Prener by Elder Starr and the writer on Sabbath, July 4. Elder Gaede will labor for the Germans of this conference. Elder Haynes will conduct a series of tent-meetings this season in the city of Wilmington, Del. Elder Prener is under an appointment by the General Conference for Brazil, and will shortly leave for this important field. We shall pray to the end that God will greatly bless the labors of these young men in winning souls for the Master.

In addition to the laborers already mentioned in the Chesapeake Conference are two licensed brethren, V. Nutter and W. R. Pohle. With this strong corps of young workers we look forward to a successful summer's campaign in that conference during the present season.

Elder Starr was elected president and Miss Emma S. Newcomer secretary and treasurer.

K. C. RUSSELL.