Colorado Camp Meeting by R. C. PORTER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 13, 1916

Colorado Camp Meeting

By R. C. PORTER

THE Colorado camp meeting was held in the Rocky Mountain Lake Park in Denver as appointed, June 8-18. The camp ground was an ideal place for meetings. A Chautauqua tent was secured, with a seating capacity of two thousand. In the rear of it a beautiful lake of clear, pure water afforded an ideal place for baptism. One hundred eighty-three tents, all nestled under the shade of beautiful trees, furnished accommodations for those on the grounds. Eight hundred and two registered their names as campers in regular attendance at the meeting, and there were at least two hundred additional persons present the last Sabbath and Sunday.

The evening services were conducted by Elder O. O. Bernstein. He was assisted by the ministers of the Colorado Conference and a choir of eighty-five singers under the direction of W. I. Morey, of Nevada, Iowa. Elder Bernstein had brought with him some specially prepared illustrations, which greatly increased the interest in the subjects presented. The attendance from the city began with about eight hundred and increased to about seventeen hundred. The evening collections amounted to $286.55.

Separate meetings were held for the Germans, Scandinavians, Missionary Volunteers, and the primary and kindergarten children. All these different lines of work showed the result of careful study and preparation. Elder G. F. Haffner, with the German ministers of Colorado, labored especially for the Germans. Elder Underwood, assisted by Elder Bernstein and the writer, labored especially in the spiritual interests of the camp, while Elder Ruble and Prof. H. A. Morrison, who attended in the interests of the educational work, together with the young people's workers in the conference, devoted themselves to the young people's meetings, with excellent results.

From the very beginning of the meetings, it was apparent that special blessings were awaiting the sincere seekers for an advance in Christian experience. Each day in the early morning ministers' meeting, the workers sought a closer walk with God, and surrendered all for service in the finishing of the work. A special refreshing from the presence of the Lord brought joy, peace, and victory into their lives. This spirit extended throughout the encampment, and in the various meetings from time to time special manifestations of the Spirit were experienced in a very marked manner. Sinners with weeping made complete surrender of their idols. The sick were healed in answer to prayer, and many church members experienced a new conversion.

All lines of work were given attention, and after special consideration of the conference indebtedness it was unanimously recommended that $20,000 be raised as an educational fund for the relief of institutional indebtedness in the conference the coming year. During the meeting $3,810 in cash and pledges was received for the relief of the indebtedness of Campion Academy. Besides $1,055.64 Sabbath school offerings on the two Sabbaths of the meeting, $1,893.90 was received in cash and pledges for missions, making the entire amount raised for missions during the meeting $2,949.54. Seventy-six persons were baptized and added to the membership

of the conference. Two young men were ordained to the gospel ministry.

The religious liberty work has been under the direction of Senator J. F. Pearson, who has placed 167 copies of "Daniel and the Revelation" among the State officers, including the governor and the State commissions.

The reports of last year's work showed that 253 have been added to the membership of our churches during 1915. The tithe receipts amounted to $32,781.35, while the offerings to missions amounted to $15,632.06.

Dr. Green and his associates from the Boulder-Colorado Sanitarium joined the union conference officers in counsel with reference to the relief of the indebtedness of the sanitarium.

Elder W. A. Gosmer, principal of the Campion Academy, was elected president of the conference in place of Elder A. T. Robinson, and some other changes were made in the conference officers. The conference committee was increased from five to seven. One very noticeable and commendable feature accompanying the change of officers of the conference, was the sweet spirit manifested by the retiring officers, and their harmonious cooperation in all plans laid by the conference for the extension of the work the coming year.

Elder Underwood was remarkably sustained by the power of God, and manifested unusual strength and vigor in his arduous labors during this meeting.

The brethren and sisters left with their hearts full of courage and with the determination to devote themselves the coming year unreservedly to the strong advance movement for the finishing of the work. It was the general testimony at the farewell meeting that this had been one of the best camp meetings ever held in Colorado. R. C. PORTER.