The Nebraska Camp-Meeting by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 8, 1908

The Nebraska Camp-Meeting

By G. B. Thompson

The annual camp-meeting of the Nebraska Conference was held at Hastings, August 27 to September 7. The camp was a large one, located on a beautiful plat of ground known as Hartwell Park. This park adjoins the conference headquarters, and the grounds of the new twenty-five-thousand-dollar sanitarium which is nearing completion. The grounds, electric light, and water were all donated free by the city. The work of establishing the conference headquarters in the city has been conducted in such a way as to win the confidence of the city officials and the best class of the citizens. Many of these attended the evening services, and listened to the stirring themes of the message presented by different speakers.

Contrary to the custom for several years, the annual conference was held in connection with the camp-meeting. The delegates were called a few days before the meeting, and the plans perfected were later laid before the entire conference for their counsel. An effort was made to transact only such business as should properly come before such a meeting. In this way the spiritual interests of the meeting were not hindered, and a large number were present to take part in the consideration of conference matters.

The attendance of our own people was very good, much better, I understand, than for several years. An excellent spirit seemed to characterize the meeting throughout. A number of revival efforts were held, backsliders renewed their covenant with God, and a number of the youth as well as others gave their hearts to the Lord, and enlisted in his service.

The last day of the meeting forty-seven willing candidates were baptized in a lake in the park. Five had been previously baptized, making fifty-two who received the rite during the meeting.

No effort was made during the meeting to raise money for local enterprises. What was done in the line of raising money was for fields outside of the conference. One entire day was set apart for the consideration of the foreign work. A stirring talk by Elder G. A. Irwin, on the needs of Africa, was followed by other sermons on mission themes. The collection taken in cash and pledges amounted to $4,957.38. Besides this, the conference at the business meeting in the morning, voted five thousand dollars surplus tithe to missions. Also, on the previous day, in response to an appeal for the Oakwood Industrial School, about twenty-three hundred dollars was raised in cash and pledges. This, with a Sabbath-school collection of about one hundred forty-seven dollars, and some thirty-five dollars given for the work for the deaf and dumb, made a total of about twelve thousand four hundred dollars raised for work outside of their own conference. This was a very encouraging and liberal offering. A deep interest was manifested by all present in the growth and development of our work in the regions beyond.

Besides the conference laborers, Elders G. A. Irwin, E. T. Russell, H. Shultz, L. H. Christian, S. Mortensen, Charles Thompson, Luther Warren, and the writer were present during some part of the meeting. Elder A. T. Robinson was unanimously re-elected president for the coming term.

Considered as a whole, the meeting was an excellent one, and tended to inspire confidence in the message. All returned to their homes with renewed determination to be more faithful in the Master's service, and finally share in the glorious reward of the overcomers.

G. B. Thompson.