The Iowa Camp Meeting and Conference
By M. C. WILCOX
THE only Waterloo is not in war-devastated Belgium, nor should the name be ever used as a synonym of defeat. The Waterloo of this sketch is a thriving manufacturing town of 32,000 population in the eastern part of Iowa. It was recently the scene of a conflict, the outcome of which was victory. For in this thriving town was held the Iowa camp meeting of this present year, May 27 to June 6. The grounds in Chautauqua Park, on the banks of the river, just outside the city, were beautiful and well adapted to our purposes. Here was a fine circular wooden tabernacle, with a seating capacity of perhaps five thousand; a large open hall; dining room; and other buildings. Many tents were pitched in the grove. The most serious drawback of the meeting was the cold, wet weather prevalent largely throughout the upper Mississippi Valley. It was constantly characterized as “unusual” for the time of year, and the stranger was ever willing to admit it. Superabundant rains flooded the land, railways were under water, bridges washed out, and more or less damage was wrought by wind and storm, by flood and hail. The meeting would have been much larger and more uniform if the weather had been pleasant. Notwithstanding the elements, we heard no complaints, no murmurings. The storm could not quench the good spirit of the workers, nor the low temperature cool the ardor of the campers. The large tabernacle was, under the circumstances, greatly preferable to a tent, and was large enough when necessary to hold several meetings at the same time. Willard Memorial Hall was filled to its utmost with flooded campers and late arrivals. Mrs. Carpenter, the W. C. T. U. custodian, endeared herself to all by her indefatigable kindness and large hospitality. The writer arrived at the beginning of the meeting, and was warmly welcomed by Elder A. R. Ogden, the president of the conference, and his coworkers. The financial condition of the conference, set forth in the president's address and in the treasurers' reports, showed marked improvement over the past year. The tithe for 1914 was $48,095.82, an increase over 1913 of $4,306.14. Donations received by laborers amounted to $1,161.35, an increase over 1913 of $547.82. Offerings to missions were $25,160.92, an increase of $3,046.78. Increase in other funds aggregated $13,266.77. The aggregate increase in tithes, in miscellaneous funds, in institutional gains, was $21,167.51. Interest has been reduced during the last two years to the amount of $1,200. This was accomplished by the payment of debts and the securing of money at lower rates of interest, a commendable practice to follow in all our conferences and institutions. The report from Oak Park Academy was unusual. It showed a net gain for the year ending May 31, 1915, of $2,214.61, and a present worth of $6,160. Under the supervision of Professor Brown, principal and business manager, the last year, under the blessing of God, has been one of the best in its history. The net gain in the Iowa Sanitarium for 1914, under Dr. H. W. Barbour, was $4,008.42. Nearly two hundred successful operations were performed, the power of God cooperating with man. The Sabbath school department was prosperous, as is the case almost everywhere. The offerings from the one hundred and thirty schools, with a membership of 2,858, amounted to $11,673.74, and the suggestion was made that the goal for next year be placed at $15,000. The spiritual work of the year was fruitful. Seven permanent places of worship were erected or secured during the year, and there was substantial gain in church membership. Twenty-two academy students were baptized during the year, and still others of the students followed their Lord in baptism at the camp meeting, where forty-two, all told, were buried with their Lord. We shall not take the space to mention the good work done in the home mission field, the Sabbath schools, in the educational institutions, at the sanitarium, among the young people, and elsewhere.18All showed progress, and all wished, as is ever proper, that the progress had been greater. During the year, Iowa has given four laborers to foreign fields, and another to the Swedish work, making a heavy drain upon the conference. One minister, Brother W. K. Smith, was ordained. Practically the same officers were elected for the ensuing conference term. More than twenty-four workers received either ministerial credentials or licenses, and others received missionary licenses. Three of the workers among the missionary licentiates had together added $1,000 to the Ingathering fund. Resolutions were adopted expressive of deeper consecration, and of gratitude for the greater circulation of message-filled literature, and other resolutions of more local interest. The laborers from without the conference were Elder Charles Thompson, president of the Northern Union Conference; Elder W. T. Knox; Brother W. H. Edwards, treasurer and auditor of the Northern Union; Elder C. S. Longacre, religious liberty secretary of the North American Division Conference; Elder and Mrs. A. L. Prieger, who have charge of the work in Haiti; Profs. M. B. Van Kirk and Gordon Andrews; and the writer. Elders Brodersen, Mortenson, and Johnson did good work among the Scandinavians. Sixty-five took part in the ordinances of the Lord's house at the camp meeting, held for the benefit of scattered and isolated ones. The revival services were fruitful. This was the writer's first experience in the strong old conference of Iowa, and it is needless to say he enjoyed the meeting, notwithstanding the weather. He was thankful to God for the spirit of unity which prevailed among the workers, and the cordial cooperation manifest among the ministers. May God bless Elder Ogden and his ministerial force in their great mission and message, as well as others in that large conference.