Western Oregon Annual Conference and Camp Meeting
By F. W. Paap
THE thirteenth annual conference and camp meeting of Western Oregon was held in a centrally located park at Preston, Portland, May 27 to June 8. Careful preparations had been made and ideal conditions prevailed. The weather throughout, with the exception of the first day or two, was delightful. Comparatively speaking, there was no sickness. The several doctors present gave careful and faithful attention to the campers. The business of the conference was dispatched in the most harmonious manner, and the truest loyalty displayed on the part of all. Elder H. W. Cottrell, who has now served the conference as president for three years, was unanimously reelected. With the good, strong constituency, he will surely lead this conference forth to the accomplishment of still greater things for God. Separate tents were erected for public services in the English, German, and Scandinavian languages. The labors of Elder H. Shultz were appreciated, especially by our German brethren. Elder Johnson, of the Western Washington Conference, rendered valuable help to the Scandinavian brethren. Elder W. M. Healey and the writer, according to previous arrangements, attended the annual gathering, remaining till the close. Others dropped in for a service or two. Fully two thousand persons attended the evening services regularly. The interest was good, and will be followed up. The writer spoke each day at eleven o'clock on practical home missionary work, and the response was gratifying. The sales of literature were unprecedented. Tracts, "The World's Crisis," the Testimonies, and the Signs weekly received special attention. It seemed that every family supplied itself with from one to nine volumes of the Testimonies. Day by day the spiritual interest deepened. On the last Sabbath hundreds gave themselves to God in a truer, deeper consecration. There was a fine class of young people present who responded again and again to the call for a higher-ground experience. The matter of the foreign mission offerings was carefully considered, and the Western Oregon Conference put itself on record as being desirous of doing its duty. The noble response will enable the conference to make a better showing than ever before. About $17,000 in cash and pledges for foreign missions was the result of this never-to-be-forgotten Feast of Tabernacles. Elder Enoch, of India, gave a very interesting stereopticon lecture on India. The needs of that heathen people appealed to every heart. Each service during the encampment contributed something toward this very liberal offering in behalf of the work in the regions beyond. The testimony of all was to the effect that this was the best camp meeting they had ever attended. The believers returned to their homes strengthened, enlightened, and encouraged, with a stronger faith in God, and a firmer determination to live the truth in their own homes and among their friends and neighbors. May every soul be enabled by God's grace to sing the beautiful lines:— “Every day, praise the Lord, I’m getting nearer,
And the way, praise the Lord, is getting clearer;
From my Lord no more I’ll roam,
For I see the lights of home,
And I’m getting nearer, nearer, every day.”