p. 18 | The Southern California Camp-Meeting

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 24, 1908

The Southern California Camp-Meeting

By A. G. DANIELLS.

THE annual conference and camp-meeting of the Southern California Conference was held at Los Angeles, August 6-16. About twelve hundred camped on the ground, and three or four hundred more attended the services each Sabbath. This, I judge, was one of the largest of our camp-meetings held this season. It was the first general meeting of our people in Southern California that I have had the privilege of attending, and it was a most enjoyable, encouraging, and helpful occasion.

The prospering hand of the Lord has been with the Southern California Conference since its organization seven years ago. The membership has increased from 1,040 to 2,217; the annual tithes have increased from $17,398.36 in 1902 to $32,690.45 in 1907. The Fernando Academy has been developed into a successful institution without indebtedness, and several excellent sanitariums have been opened, and are now enjoying a good patronage. To one who visits that part of the field only occasionally, the change seems marvelous. True, this growth has been attended with much wearing toil, many perplexities, and some trials. Even now the financial obligations of the sanitariums cause anxiety, and call for wise management. But if the right course is pursued, in the fear of the Lord, his blessing will be with them.

The councils and business affairs of the conference passed off very harmoniously. Some months before the meeting convened, the General Conference Committee requested Elder G. W. Reaser, president of the Southern California Conference, to take the oversight of the work in Mexico. Brother Reaser gave the call prayerful consideration, and decided to accept it. Those who knew the two fields have some appreciation of the sacrifice that Brother Reaser has made in this decision. But this is the way of the Master, in whose footsteps his ministers must be careful to walk. The hearts of the brethren and sisters were made tender as Brother Reaser told them of his decision, and his reasons for it. It was plain to all that the Lord has given our brother a good experience during the past year, and he goes to Mexico with the confidence and prayers of his brethren. Elder E. E. Andross was chosen to fill his place in Southern California. It is with deep regret to Brother and Sister Andross that they have been compelled to leave their post in Great Britain, and return to the States; but the health of Sister Andross has made it necessary. The brethren in Southern California are fortunate in securing these laborers, who have had years of tried and successful service abroad. The prayers of our people will be offered in behalf of Sister Andross, that she may be fully restored to health.

Among the many interests brought before the conference were the needs of the foreign fields. These received friendly and sympathetic consideration. Two thousand dollars of surplus tithe was appropriated to foreign missions, and twelve thousand dollars was raised in cash, pledges, and jewelry for the foreign fields. If diligent efforts are made to pay these pledges, this splendid gift will prove a great blessing to our workers who are struggling with so many perplexities in the mission fields.

One very interesting and impressive service at this camp-meeting was a special meeting of the Sabbath-keepers on the ground, representing various nationalities. A large space in front of the platform was reserved for these brethren and sisters. We were surprised to find that there were present representatives of thirty different foreign peoples. The Russian and Spanish Sabbath-keepers predominated. Special efforts have been made in Southern California to reach these two classes, and the results furnish another demonstration of what can be done for the foreign people who have come to the States. This unique meeting was under the leadership of Brother J. F. Blunt, who, with others in Los Angeles, has worked very earnestly for the Mexican people in that city.

A great temperance rally was held on the camp-ground the first Sunday afternoon of the meeting. Among the speakers from the city who came to tender their services were two Presbyterian ministers, the State president of the W. C. T. U., two county presidents, the president of the Y. W. C. T. U., the secretary of the Y. M. C. A., the secretaries of eight departments of the W. C. T. U., one judge, and two attorneys.

This was probably the most successful temperance rally we have ever held in connection with our camp-meetings. It did our people good to hear these earnest temperance workers plead for prohibition, and social purity. And it did the speakers good to meet such a body of earnest, genuine temperance people. One of the ministers and several of the leading W. C. T. U. workers remained to the evening service, to hear the story of our world-wide missionary endeavors. A number of the W. C. T. U. ladies stayed with us on the ground during the most of the week. One of them took her stand with us for the truth before the camp-meeting closed.

The success of this meeting was due, very largely, to the wise, earnest efforts of Dr. Wood-Starr. For months Sister Starr had been working with these temperance people in Southern California. They had come to see that we as a people stand for temperance and purity, and they were glad to join us, and to have our support in their work. In arranging and carrying out the large program Dr. Starr worked untiringly until the meeting opened. Just here is where some of our efforts to hold such meetings have failed. Those in charge have not put the earnest enthusiasm and hard work into the effort they should. It is not too early now to begin to plan for large, impressive, fruit-bearing temperance meetings next year.

In many respects the Los Angeles camp-meeting was one of the best I have attended in many years. Owing to the excellent interest in the meetings, it was decided to continue the camp-meeting, a week longer than had been planned. Sister White spoke a number of times with good effect. Elder H. W. Cottrell, the president of the Pacific Union Conference, rendered earnest and effective service throughout the meeting. The local ministers of the conference took an active part, and thus the whole meeting was made a great blessing to the people.

A. G. DANIELLS.