The Oklahoma Camp-Meeting
By G. B. THOMPSON
THE annual conference and camp-meeting of the Oklahoma Conference was held in Wheeler Park, Oklahoma City, August 24 to September 3. The free use of the park was granted by the city. In addition to this, the commercial club of the city contributed two hundred dollars toward the expenses of the meeting. The location of the camp being near the city, the attendance from the outside was fairly good, and a deep interest was manifested by those who attended. The evening services were devoted to a presentation of the distinctive features of our faith, and the last Sabbath of the meeting quite a number testified that they were keeping their first Sabbath. The attendance of our own people was very good, there being probably over nine hundred in attendance the last Sabbath. All the conference laborers were present, and Elder N. P. Nelson, Prof. B. G. Wilkinson, Elders Riffel, Terry, A. Nelson, and Professor Hughes, and the writer were present from outside the conference. Brother C. L. Kilgore, manager of the Graysville Industrial Academy, was also present during a portion of the meeting, and presented the needs of this institution. Services were held daily in both English and German, and a spirit of love and unity was present from the beginning of the meeting till the close. The number of youth and children camped on the ground was large, and earnest efforts were made to help them spiritually. The Spirit of God visited the camp in a marked manner, especially the last Sabbath. Many gave their hearts to God for the first time, and some who had backslidden renewed their covenant. Two baptismal services were held, forty-five in all being baptized. The business meetings were interesting, and the spirit of unity manifested was refreshing. On account of the action of the General Conference in calling Elder Haffner to labor in connection with the German work in the United States, it was necessary to select another man as president. After careful and prayerful deliberation, Brother Andrew Nelson, son of N. P. Nelson, was elected to this office, and takes up his duties with the confidence of all. Though sorry to lose the faithful services of Elder Haffner, the conference showed their interest and co-operation in the work to which he is called by voting to pay fourteen dollars a week to the General Conference toward his support for a year. They also voted to sustain another German laborer outside of their conference for the coming year. A deep interest was manifested in the study of the tithing question, and the financial support of our work in the foreign fields; and if the many vows made are lived up to, there will be a marked increase in both tithes and offerings the coming year. The Sabbath-school donation, and the First-day offerings for missions taken during the meeting, amounted to over two hundred dollars. The Lord has blessed the conference in many ways during the past year. Eight new churches, with a membership of one hundred and fifty-six, were admitted into the conference. The treasurer's report showed the finances of the conference to be in a good condition, both the conference and tract society being free from debt. The tithe the past year amounted to $15,187.18. A good corps of laborers was sent into the field, and the outlook is good for a large ingathering of souls the coming year. The last day of the meeting Brother William Braley was ordained to the work of the ministry, prayer being offered by Brother Wilkinson, and the charge given by the writer. The Spirit of God was present on this occasion in a very special manner. The conference was made sad by the serious illness of Elder N. P. Nelson during the meeting. He was in feeble health when he came here from the Arkansas camp-meeting, but rapidly grew worse with malarial fever. Many earnest seasons of prayer were held in his behalf, but he continued to decline until all hope of his life was abandoned, and it looked as if the labors of this faithful servant were finished. While at his worst stage, a telegram came, announcing that his devoted wife, whom he had left but recently in a fair state of health, had suddenly died. The following day the body of Sister Nelson passed through Oklahoma City, accompanied by her daughter, but the two sons were unable to join the sad procession, it being necessary for them to remain by the bedside of their father. This was a sad occasion; and as I witnessed it, I could but thank God that the terrible drama of sin was nearly over, when sorrow and death would be no more. When I left the grounds for the Wisconsin meeting, Elder Nelson was some better, and the physician thought there was a good chance for his recovery. The death of his wife had not yet been made known to him. The Oklahoma camp-meeting was a good meeting indeed. All returned to their homes with renewed courage and hope. Personally, I enjoyed this meeting very much. A cordial welcome was extended to all the laborers, and they felt at home. The fertile soil and good climate found here are attracting a large emigration, and the country is being filled with an enterprising and progressive class of citizens. Oklahoma City, though only fifteen years old, has a substantial appearance, and a population of about forty thousand. If the Lord's people are faithful in sharing with others the blessings the Lord has so abundantly given to them, they will be blessed even more, and the message will increase in power among them.