The Iowa Camp-Meeting by R. A. Underwood

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 23, 1909

The Iowa Camp-Meeting

By R. A. Underwood

THIS meeting was held in a beautiful grove adjoining the sanitarium grounds at Nevada, Iowa, August 19-29. The attendance was much larger than the Iowa brethren had seen at any similar gathering for a number of years. From fifteen to eighteen hundred people were encamped upon the ground during the meeting. A number of those in attendance the first week returned to their homes before the close, so the average was about fifteen hundred for the entire time.

Sister E. G. White and Elder W. C. White were present the first five days of the meeting. Dr. A. C. Selmon, of China, and Elder H. H. Votaw, of India, were in attendance during the entire meeting. Elders Louis Christian, S. Mortenson, and M. L. Andreasen labored in the interests of the Scandinavian people. Elders Kunkel of North Dakota, Jackson of Minnesota, and Watson of South Dakota, and other members of the Northern Union Conference committee were also present to labor in the meetings.

Sister White spoke three times with great freedom. Hundreds in attendance had never had the privilege of meeting her, or of hearing her speak. This was a great privilege for such, as well as for all in attendance. The servant of the Lord spoke with great power to very large audiences.

In connection with this meeting the sanitarium erected at Nevada was dedicated. Also the graduating exercises of the nurses' training class of the Iowa Sanitarium were held one evening during the camp-meeting; the class consisted of nine members. All these special features had more or less attractions in drawing a large attendance. There was a good attendance of those not of our faith at the camp-meeting, especially on Sundays and during the evening services. At times hundreds were unable to find seats. The Scandinavian meetings were also well attended in another part of the camp.

Over five thousand five hundred dollars was donated in cash and pledges during the camp-meeting, the most of which was for foreign missionary work. The conference pledged at least twenty-five per cent of its tithes to the General Conference work.

Brother E. W. Wolfe was ordained to the gospel ministry, and he and his wife will accompany Dr. Selmon to China, as Chinese laborers, Iowa pledging their support and transportation.

In view of the call of the General Conference for Elder M. N. Campbell to take charge of the mission field in India, and the call for Brother Chris Juhl to go to Denmark to take the business management of the Skodsborg Sanitarium, there was considerable anxiety and interest manifested as to who should take the places of these prominent laborers in the Iowa Conference. Brother Juhl has had charge of the business interests of the conference for some little time, and his removal will be felt. Although a strenuous effort was made to secure an experienced man to take Elder Campbell's place as conference president, at the close of the meeting no one had been found whom the brethren felt clear in electing to that office. Hence the conference re-elected Elder Campbell as president, with the understanding that as soon as the General Conference could secure for them the proper person to take the presidency, they would release him. It is hoped that this may be accomplished within a few weeks, so that Elder Campbell and family may be able to go forward to India this fall.

Seventy or eighty persons presented themselves for baptism, but owing to the unsatisfactory condition of the stream where this ordinance could be performed, the most of the candidates were recommended to be baptized in their own home churches. Some one will be sent to the churches at once to perform this rite.

Prof. P. T. Magan was present the latter part of the meeting, and labored with much acceptance to the people. Following Sister White's discourse on the first Sabbath, about two hundred persons came forward to seek the Lord; among these were a number of unconverted ones. However, on the last Sabbath's meeting there seemed to be a general move throughout the entire camp, and five or six hundred came forward to seek God earnestly; quite a number of these were making a start for the first time.

The triweekly paper of Nevada gave quite a full account of the meeting. The business of the conference was transacted with great despatch, occupying only about three days of the meeting. This demonstrates that it is not necessary, in connection with a camp-meeting, to weary the people with prolonged business sessions. There were only two business meetings a day, and these were very brief, not occupying over an hour at any one time. I think the meeting in this respect was a marked success, and a model of business meetings. On the whole, the meeting was one greatly enjoyed by the brethren, bringing much cheer and encouragement to all in attendance.

The Iowa brethren, in sending away Brethren Campbell, Juhl, and Wolfe to foreign fields, are giving of their best laborers, and we trust God will return in rich measure his blessing, not only in raising up new laborers, but in greatly watering the souls of believers in the conference.

It was voted not to hold a general camp-meeting next year, but to hold four camp-meetings in the field, located in different parts of the State, so as to reach all parts of the State with less expense, and give several localities the benefit of a camp-meeting.

R. A. UNDERWOOD.