Kansas Camp-Meeting by Chas. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 16, 1909

Kansas Camp-Meeting

By Chas. Thompson

THIS meeting was held, according to appointment, at Council Grove, August 19-29. The universal testimony was, “This is the best meeting Kansas ever had.” The attendance was large, and the weather conditions ideal, there being only one rain during the meeting. The weather was very warm, but the camp was pitched in a forest of natural timber along the banks of the Neosho River, furnishing abundant shade and excellent facilities for baptism. About two hundred family tents were pitched and occupied. Besides the large pavilion, where meetings were held in English, smaller ones were erected, where daily meetings were held in the German and Swedish languages, and for the youth and children. The results of these meetings were encouraging. About fifty souls were baptized before leaving the ground, and others will be baptized at their home churches.

Those who attended from abroad and assisted in the meetings were Mrs. E. G. White, Elders W. C. White, W. A. Spicer, H. R. Salisbury, H. H. Votaw, Dr. W. A. Ruble, of the General Conference; Elder E. T. Russell and Prof. C. C. Lewis, of the Central Union Conference; Elder R. A. Underwood, of the Northern Union Conference; and Brethren H. H. Hall and C. G. Bellah. There were also present Elder F. W. Spies, of South America; Elder Miller, of Texas; Professor Grauer, of Union College, to aid in the German work; and Elder S. Mortensen to aid in the Swedish. These, in addition to our conference laborers, provided an abundance of help.

The business meetings of the conference were very harmonious, and as spiritual as any of the others. No backward steps were taken. Every move was toward the finishing of the work. The reports showed the conference to be in a healthy condition. Two new churches were added. The tithe showed an increase of one thousand dollars over the previous year, and the Sabbath-school offerings an increase of fifteen hundred dollars. Twelve new schools were added. The offerings for the two Sabbaths we were on the ground broke the record for Kansas. The donation was two hundred fifty dollars. The last Sabbath it was one hundred seventy-two dollars.

The brethren and sisters manifested a willingness to share with the General Conference in hastening the message to its final completion, by voting four thousand dollars of our surplus tithe to the General Conference Committee to be used for the foreign work, and recommended the State conference committee to work to the end of passing

regularly to the General Conference Committee one fourth of the tithe. There were also raised in cash and pledges, about ten thousand dollars for missions, four hundred fifty dollars for the work for the blind, fifteen hundred dollars for the Oswego Academy, and two hundred seventy-five dollars for the endowed bed; quite liberal responses were also made to minor appeals. We were glad to see a growing spirit of response to the Saviour’s instruction, “Sell that ye have, and give alms.”

The corps of officers chosen to bear responsibility the coming year is almost identical with that of last year, the difference being that Elder B. W. Brown was chosen secretary of the young people’s department, thus leaving Prof. H. M. Hiatt free to devote his whole time to the educational work.

It was a great privilege, and a rich blessing as well, to have the presence and labors of Sister White. She spoke three times to the English and once to the Germans. Her appeals were stirring, and the Lord gave her strength to speak so that all could hear distinctly.

The mayor and other city officials did everything in their power to show that the city of Council Grove appreciated our coming, and gave us a hearty invitation to return next year.

We left a tent in the city, with Elder A. S. Bringle, Brother Minner, and Sister Hiatt to follow up and develop the interest. We expect to see fruit as a result of the united efforts. Brother J. L. McGee, assisted by H. H. Hall, conducted a canvassers’ institute on the ground at the close of the camp-meeting. Five tent companies were organized and sent into the field for a fall campaign.

Altogether we feel to thank God for the progress of the work in Kansas, and we desire to give all credit to him.

CHAS. THOMPSON, President.