The Upper Columbia Camp-Meeting
By A. J. Breed
The Upper Columbia camp-meeting was held in Byer's Grove, Pendleton, Ore., May 14-24, as had been previously appointed. The conference was held in connection with the camp-meeting, and was the twenty-third session since its organization. There were those upon the ground who had attended every session of the conference since it was organized, and it was the universal statement of such that this was the best camp-meeting they had ever attended. There was a steady growth in interest from day to day, and at no time was there any special flight of feeling, but from the study of the Word new truths were brought out, and it was remarked by many that they had received something that would be a help to them after returning home, as they knew better how to study the Bible, and how to appropriate the truths it contains to their own individual lives. The laborers from abroad were Elders Knox, Prescott, Shultz, and Snyder. Professor Prescott conducted a Bible study each afternoon, dwelling at considerable length upon the necessity of each having a new experience in the work; it is necessary for each one of us—ministers as well as people—to have a living connection with heaven from day to day, that we may be prepared properly to carry on the work at this important time of the message. There were one hundred and six tents pitched on the ground, yet the meeting was not so well attended as it had been in former years; but those who did attend were earnest and anxious to receive all the good they could. There has been a steady increase in the finances of the conference, and the tithe this year amounted to more than seventeen thousand dollars. After settling all claims against the conference, there was left in the treasury more than three thousand dollars, fifteen hundred of which was very freely donated to the General Conference to carry on its work. The brethren heartily entered into this move, and many expressed a wish that it might have been more, but were thankful that they could do even that much. The Upper Columbia Conference feels a deep interest outside of its own territory, and during the past two years has helped in sustaining laborers in Africa and British Columbia, and in sending canvassers to England. It will still continue to assist in the work in British Columbia until they are able to carry on their work alone. If the tithe should continue to increase as it has done during the past two years, which has been about seven thousand dollars, the conference will be able not only to carry on its own work, but also to render help to the General Conference from time to time as it may need it. One thing of special encouragement is this: the college has been educating young men and women for the work until this season a number of young men were licensed to go into the field to improve their gift as ministers. On account of the work with “Christ’s Object Lessons,” which took the entire laboring force of the conference the past year, but little was done in new fields. Yet three new churches were organized, with a membership of sixty-two. The work with that book is not yet finished, but the laborers this year will all go into new fields. The thought that soon the work will be finished, and the faithful will meet the Saviour in peace, was kept before the brethren during the camp-meeting; and those who accepted the truth in the early days of the message, and have grown old, and thought perhaps they might pass away before the Lord would come, had their hopes revived. The conference voted to discontinue the large camp-meetings, closing the conference year December 31, and as soon after as arrangements could be made, the conference would convene, at which the business would be transacted, officers elected, and instead of one large camp-meeting, several camp-meetings might be held in smaller places. The work of education is one of special interest to this conference, and steps are being taken to hold teachers’ institutes in Western Oregon, Montana, and the Upper Columbia Conferences this season, in order to give the church school teachers a better training for the work of teaching Christian education. Professor Lewis, president of the college, will visit all the camp-meetings in the district, and labor in the interests of the college. A teachers’ institute will be held following the camp-meeting in Western Oregon, which a number of the teachers from the college will attend. The institute in Upper Columbia will be held later in the season, probably at College Place. A number of young men and women who have been in attendance at the college for the last two or three years, have gone into the work this season, and it has been a source of much encouragement to parents to see that they can send their young people to the college, and have them trained for a place in the work. We look forward to the coming year with bright hopes, and trust a full attendance will be seen. The sanitarium work has had a prosperous year. Dr. Yarnell, Sister Morrison, the matron, with several others from the institution, were on the ground, and were kept busy almost the entire time, in the interests of the sanitarium work. The institution has been quite successful the past year in training a class of young men and women who will be a credit to the work as they go out into the field to carry out the principles that underlie the medical missionary work. As the laborers go into the field the coming season, they will make a special effort to look after those who need treatment, and encourage them to have the benefits of the sanitarium for a few weeks or months, and in this way it will become more widely known, its influence will be felt, and a greater patronage secured. Steps are being taken to place the canvassing work on a better foundation, and the prospects are that quite a number will enter the field the coming season. The placing of our publications in the hands of the people is a work of great importance at the present time. We ask our churches everywhere to correspond with us if they know of any one of their number who has gained an experience through the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons” who might be interested in canvassing for our larger publications, and steps will be taken to encourage all such to enter the field at the earliest possible moment. The laborers have gone into the field with bright prospects before them, looking after interests that have been created through the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and we shall hope and pray that success may attend every effort put forth. Dear brethren and sisters, remember these laborers in your prayers this coming season, that God may add to their numbers, and give them fruits worthy of their hire. A. J. BREED.