The West Michigan Camp-Meeting by A. G. Haughey

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 10, 1908

The West Michigan Camp-Meeting

By A. G. Haughey

Our annual camp-meeting this year was held August 13-23 on the picnic grounds at Reeds Lake, Grand Rapids. There were one hundred twenty-five tents pitched, and the attendance was excellent throughout, the people coming in quite well the day previous to the beginning of the meeting. The tents were all taken before the meeting was fairly under way, and it was necessary for many to obtain rooms in the residences near by. We estimate that twelve hundred persons were in attendance.

The first Sunday afternoon was given to a temperance rally, a program having been previously prepared, and a number of temperance workers from the city invited to speak. Among these were M. H. Walker and Rev. M. Holsaple, from the Anti-Saloon League, Rev. Charles Nease, pastor Plainfield Avenue M. E. Church, and Mr. F. H. West, secretary of the Y. M. C. A. We were also favored by the presence of Sister Margaret Bilz, national lecturer temperance department W. C. T. U. The program was interspersed with special music by the choir, and Prof. Frederick Griggs gave the closing address. We believe an excellent impression was left with the citizens of Grand Rapids with reference to our position in temperance work. A quantity of the Temperance number of the Watchman was distributed at the close of the service.

The last Sunday of the meeting was more largely attended by people from the city than any of our other services, in spite of the fact that a league baseball game was held in the Athletic Park just adjoining the camp-ground. The meeting was not disturbed, and the interest of the audience was with the speaker throughout the sermon. We were favored either a portion or all of the time with the presence of Profs. F. Griggs, H. R. Salisbury, M. E. Kern, and O. J. Graf; Elders W. A. Spicer, A. Moon, E. R. Palmer, C. P. Bollman, and W. G. Kneeland, and Brother J. B. Blosser. These brethren were given the time during the day for the various mission and gospel enterprises they represented, and the evening services were devoted to doctrinal subjects, which were presented by the laborers from our own conference.

The last Sabbath of the meeting was a most profitable occasion. At the close of Elder Spicer's talk in the forenoon, a call was made for those who wished to make a start in the Christian pathway, or to return to a closer connection with the Lord to come forward, and a large percentage of the congregation responded. Seventy-one persons were baptized. No business sessions were held; so there was nothing to detract from the spiritual blessing, or to divide the interest of those present. It was indeed a refreshing season, and we believe that all in attendance went to their homes encouraged to press forward toward the heavenly prize.

In connection with the spiritual blessings showered upon us, it was indeed a privilege to assist in the mission work, and a total of $1,121.51 was donated in cash and pledges. The items were as follows: Sabbath-school donations, $88.92; temperance work, $20.41; China mission, $50.65; Jamaica scholarship fund, $29.74; “Glimpses of the Caribbean” fund; $64.80; Oakwood School and Southern Missionary Society, $229.38; foreign missions, $567.61. We would express our gratitude to God for all his goodness to us, and go forward in our work with renewed courage.

A. G. Haughey.