The Ohio Camp-Meeting by W. D. Curtis

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Sep 7, 1905

The Ohio Camp-Meeting

By W. D. Curtis

THE Ohio camp-meeting and annual conference was held at Mansfield, August 10-21. At this place, where the followers of John Alexander Dowie met with such an unpleasant experience, our people received a cordial welcome from the citizens. The mayor had arranged to be present at the first meeting to deliver an address of welcome, but on account of state business at the Capitol, which demanded his attention, he sent a written address by the Hon. C. E. McBride, who welcomed the Adventists to this beautiful city.

The camp was located in the fair-ground. The weather was quite unfavorable, there being but few pleasant days. Yet our brethren were happy, rejoicing in God, and seemed to greatly enjoy the truths presented by the different speakers. The various phases of the third angel’s message were the burden of the discourses. I am convinced that nothing so moves our people as the grand old truths which they have loved so long.

The annual report from the president, the treasurer, and the various secretaries showed: a healthy growth both numerically

and financially. Five churches were admitted to the conference, with an aggregate membership of sixty.

The report from Mt. Vernon College showed that this institution is in a prosperous condition. The canvassing work has been well supported by the conference officers during the year, and a large number of books has been sold. Many of those engaged in this work were students of the college who had spent their vacation in evangelistic canvassing. They came up to the annual meeting full of courage and hope. Ohio may well be proud of its corps of young workers.

This is generally admitted to be the largest annual conference ever held in the State, there being seven hundred or so more campers on the ground. Twenty persons were baptized at the meeting, and others are to receive the ordinance at their home church. The young people and children received due attention, there being regular daily meetings for the youth and the children.

The visiting ministers present were Elders E. W. Farnsworth, I. H. Evans, Allen Moon, and F. C. Gilbert, and the writer; Brother J. B. Blosser was also present.

The business of the conference passed off quite pleasantly. The following-named officers were elected, there being but few changes from last year: President, H. H. Burkholder; Vice-President, R. R. Kennedy; Conference Recording Secretary, K. R. Haughey; Treasurer, C. V. Hamer; Missionary Secretary, N. S. Miller; Field Secretary, C. E. Weeks; Educational Superintendent, Jas. Shultz; Executive Committee, H. H. Burkholder, R. R. Kennedy, C. V. Hamer, Thos. Thornton, G. C. Quillin, Francis M. Fairchild, and K. R. Haughey.

We believe that this camp-meeting marks the dawning of a new era in the history of the Ohio Conference, and that greater prosperity will attend the work as a result of this meeting.

W. D. CURTIS.