Grants Pass Annual Camp Meeting and Conference
By F. W. Paap
THE annual camp meeting of the Southern Oregon Conference was held in Grants Pass, Oregon, May 20-30. Careful preparations were made for the meeting. Choice grounds, free of charge and very centrally located, were secured through the courtesy of the city authorities. The camp was neat and attractive, and the decorations in the large tent were especially pleasing. The choir, under the direction of Mr. E. H. Emmerson, rendered efficient service. From the very beginning of the meeting, there was manifest a desire on the part of the people to get nearer to God. From day to day the spirit of devotion and consecration deepened. One of the important features of this good camp meeting was the daily consideration by the entire camp, of the home missionary work. Each day the eleven o'clock hour was devoted to this line of our work. In this arrangement we were in perfect harmony with the instruction given in the "Testimonies for the Church," Vol. IX, page 82:— “Properly conducted, the camp meeting is a school where pastors, elders, and deacons can learn to do more perfect work for the Master. It should be a school where the members of the church, old and young, are given opportunity to learn the way of the Lord more perfectly, a place where believers can receive an education that will help them to help others. . . . On such occasions as our annual camp meetings, we must never lose sight of the opportunities afforded for teaching the believers how to do practical missionary work in the place where they may live.” In order to demonstrate the good things spoken of to us through the spirit of prophecy, plans were laid whereby the entire camp could go out into the18city, to visit every home with our truth-filled literature, and extend to the people a very cordial invitation to attend the meetings. The very kindliest attitude was manifested on the part of the people, and the outside attendance and interest increased from day to day. Following the days that we were out among the people, we all came together at the early morning meetings and related our experiences. Nothing could have been more inspiring and refreshing than these experience meetings. The business of the conference was transacted in the simplest way, and in every department there was shown to have been a healthy growth. About one hundred and fifty persons were won to the message during the past year. A much greater interest is being taken in personal work for souls; and with practically no changes in the officers for the ensuing year, we feel sure that in the Southern Oregon Conference a still greater work will be accomplished. We were all glad to have with us Elder C. W. Flaiz, the union president; Elder T. G. Bunch, the local president; as well as Elder W. M. Healey, of San Diego, Cal., and others, among them union secretaries, all of whom rendered good and efficient help. With an increased faith in God, with a firmer determination than ever to do his blessed will, the delegates and believers, old and young, returned to their homes at the close of the meeting, to do service for God.