Camp-Meeting at Portland, Oregon
By F. M. Burg
THIS good camp-meeting is now in the past; and we trust that those who were present at the meeting to share its rich blessings will bear such a report to our brethren and sisters who did not attend as will lead them to appreciate the importance of these appointments which the Lord has made for his people. More of just such meetings are needed now to strengthen the people of God for the great struggle which is just before them. This meeting was full of light and power. The keynote from the first was the third angel’s message and the power of the Holy Ghost as needed by every one, and which all may have to give this glorious truth to all the world in this generation. The Lord witnessed to the testimony borne by his servants by letting his Spirit rest upon them and upon the people. The spiritual work increased in intensity and in power till the close of the meeting. The last Sabbath was a day that will not be forgotten by those who shared its blessings. The usual order of the Sabbath services was broken up, and instead of holding the Sabbath-school in the forenoon, it was held at 3 P. M., and the entire camp (except the Germans and Scandinavians, who had separate meetings) came together in the large pavilion at ten o’clock. The word of God was spoken in power by his servant; and it was evident that the time had come for sin-burdened and sin-bound souls to go free. Tears were flowing freely, and a spirit of labor and prayer took possession of ministers and all others who knew God. The culmination of this service, which continued till about 2 P. M., was such as could only cause rejoicing among the angels of heaven. Old and young fell upon the Rock. The shout of victory was heard throughout the camp. Our German and Scandinavian brethren reported just such a good work in their meetings. The work done for the young people was a most striking feature of this good day’s experiences. As a result of this meeting I believe some valuable and strong young men and women will be saved from the world, to find a place in the work for this time. The Sabbath-school was called at 3 P. M., and after a short recitation period the work was taken up where it was left off in the preceding meeting. Following this hour, after an intermission, a meeting was held for those who had found help in God during the day, and it was good to hear the many testimonies borne by those whose eyes had been opened, and who had obtained a foothold upon the Rock. On Sunday, the last day of the meeting, thirty-five souls were buried in baptism in the beautiful Willamette River. The third annual session of the Western Oregon Conference was held in connection with this camp-meeting. These meetings were also characterized by the same good spirit that prevailed in the camp from the time the camp-meeting opened till it closed. The reports from the several departments of work in the conference showed that in every line progress had been made during the year. The financial statement by the treasurer showed that for the fiscal year closing March 31 the tithe receipts had exceeded those of the previous year by $485.49. And it might be mentioned with interest at this point that there has been an average yearly increase of tithes in western Oregon for the last three years of about one thousand dollars, the amount received during the year just past being $14,868.73. This is about $10.75 per capita for the membership of the conference. The question of tithing received much attention during the conference, and it is hoped that there will be a steady increase in the future till “all the tithes” are brought in. The offerings for various enterprises at home and abroad, including donations to missions, aggregated $5,578.48, an increase over the preceding year of about one thousand dollars. There were five churches received into the conference at this session, making now a total of forty-one in the Western Oregon field. One interesting recommendation passed by the conference, and which is in harmony with the spirit of the third angel’s message, should be embodied with the review of the Western Oregon Conference and camp-meeting, and that was that when the General Conference calls upon us for a laborer to take up work in foreign fields, the conference pay his salary until such time as by arrangement between the General Conference and the Western Oregon Conference the support may be withdrawn. There is a growing interest among our members in the great world-wide work; and this recommendation was enthusiastically discussed and carried by a unanimous vote. The following officers were elected to serve the conference during the ensuing year: President, F. S. Bunch; Secretary and Field Educational Secretary, G. W. Pettit; Assistant Conference Secretary and Corresponding Educational Secretary, Edith Starbuck; Treasurer, Portland Branch Pacific Press Publishing Company; Executive Committee, F. S. Bunch, T. H. Starbuck, J. M. Cole, D. W. Emmerson, W. R. Simmons, G. W. Pettit, and H. J. Dirksen. The following laborers were present from outside the local conference, and rendered valuable help in the meetings and in the conference sessions: Elders W. B. White, J. O. Corliss, Daniel Nettleton, H. Shultz, R. D. Quinn, H. J. Schnepper, J. H. Behrens, Profs. M. E. Cady and E. A. Sutherland. The meeting closed on Sunday evening, June 18, when a stirring sermon was preached by Elder Nettleton on God’s memorials, after which Brother B. C. Tabor was set apart to the work of God by ordination. The Spirit of God was present in power, and witnessed to this solemn service. Then followed the usual “parting meeting,” when, during about forty-five minutes, many testimonies of praise, hope, and courage were offered by old and young. Thus another annual camp-meeting and conference has come and gone; and we start on another year’s forward move in the work of God. The courage which fills the hearts of God’s people and the workers promises victory for the year that is before us. Cheer, fellow pilgrims! our work will soon be done, and we shall see the King in his beauty.
F. M. BURG.