Southeastern California Conference and Camp Meeting by W. F. Martin

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 16, 1916

Southeastern California Conference and Camp Meeting

By W. F. Martin

The Southeastern California camp meeting was held in San Diego, Cal., from August 3 to 13. This was preceded by the conference session, which began the evening of August 1. San Diego is the largest city in this conference. The Panama-California exposition was in progress during the meeting, and it was feared at first that it might interfere with the attendance at the meeting; but from all that could be seen, it had no effect whatever upon either the attendance or the interest at the camp. There were about two hundred tents pitched on the ground, and the number of our people in attendance ranged from twelve hundred to fourteen hundred. This was the first conference session held since the organization of the Southeastern California Conference.

From the first, the Holy Spirit was present, and a remarkable unity was manifested among the delegates and people assembled, so that the larger part of the business was out of the way before the camp meeting began. Not many changes were made; most of the officers and committeemen were re-elected. Aside from the choosing of the officers, the most important item of business transacted was the organization of a tract society for the conference, and the preliminary steps to the formation of a legal corporation.

The report of the conference showed a healthy growth for the first year. During 1915 two hundred and seventy-eight persons had been baptized. The amount of tithe paid during the year was $36,928.40, a per capita tithe of $20.18. Fifteen church schools have been conducted the past year.

At the camp meeting, the following workers were present: I. H. Evans, from the North American Division; E. E. Andross, E. W. Farnsworth, G. W. Reaser, J. O. Corliss, M. E. Cady, Ernest Lloyd, F. A. Coffin, C. W. Irwin, A. O. Tait, and F. E. Painter, from the Pacific Union. In addition to these, Drs. Newton Evans and P. T. Magan, with other medical workers, represented Loma Linda. During the camp meeting, the Pacific Union Conference held its session on the ground, and we were favored with the presence of the brethren of the committee. These, with the home workers, constituted a strong corps of helpers for the meeting.

The campers on the ground, and those who attended from the outside, manifested a deep interest, and it was evident that they came for the purpose of seeking the Lord. At the early morning meetings, both in the pavilion and in the young people's tent, large crowds would assemble, and were ready to pray and bear their testimonies. The meetings throughout the day were also well attended, and a deep interest was manifested in the word preached. The evening services were largely devoted to a consideration of the different phases of the message. Elder I. H. Evans occupied the eleven o'clock hour. His valuable instruction was gratefully received, and had a strong molding influence on the hearts of the people.

It was a common remark on the camp ground by those who have been a long time in the message, that this was the best camp meeting they had ever attended. This should be so. As we near the end, the Lord is ready to pour out his Holy Spirit upon his people to fit them for speedily finishing his work in the earth. Twenty-five were baptized at the close of the meeting. These have united with the various churches from which they came. A deep interest was also shown by the people who live in the neighborhood of the camp meeting.

Although the expenses of the meeting were very heavy, they were largely met by donations and pledges. The people left the ground much encouraged, and it is evident that the meeting was a great uplift to the work in this field. We feel glad for the manifest tokens of the Lord's blessing with us, and we consecrate ourselves anew to his work.

W. F. MARTIN.