Western Camp-Meetings by J. S. Washburn

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Nov 12, 1903

Western Camp-Meetings

By J. S. Washburn

My last report was written Thursday, August 6, on the camp-ground at Peru, Ind. As stated in that report, Elder Daniells and Elder Underwood had gone that day to the Ohio camp-meeting. Brother P. T. Magan, of Berrien Springs, and Dr. John F. Morse, representing the Battle Creek Sanitarium, were present, and took an active part during the last days of the meeting.

Sabbath forenoon after a sermon by Elder J. M. Rees, on the time and the message of Elijah, those who desired to surrender all were invited forward. The Spirit of the Lord was present in power, and many made the great decision which we trust will be eternal. It was a good day for Indiana. The importance of obeying the voice of God as heard in the spirit of prophecy during the sounding of the last great message, amid the terrible perils of the last days, was the subject of a discourse by the writer in the afternoon. The wonderful leadings of the Spirit of God in the removal of our headquarters to Washington, and the solemn warnings against calling our young people to Battle Creek, were emphasized. Later Testimonies have most strongly confirmed the necessity of the stand taken then, though at the time not fully understood by all present. A remarkable praise meeting followed, which it seemed impossible to close until dark. The Spirit of God was present, and many praised him for his direct guidance, as of old by the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, and for his clear warnings of peril and danger. On Sunday thirty were baptized. Two very pointed sermons on the Sabbath question were preached on Sunday afternoon and evening. There was a very large outside attendance, and an unusual interest was manifested.

Elder Smith Sharp was present, and made an appeal for the South. Over two hundred dollars was raised for this purpose, and about five hundred dollars for the Boggstown industrial school. The attendance of our people on the last Sabbath and Sunday was almost double that of the first part of the meeting.

From Wednesday, August 12, till Monday, August 17, I was at the camp-meeting in Oshkosh, Wis. This meeting has been reported in the REVIEW. The location of this camp-ground, as in Indiana, was good. A special interest was manifested here on the great truth that Christ is really coming in this generation, and that none of the brethren and sisters present were too old to live to see that glorious event. I know of nothing more pathetic or cheering than the joy and the courage that come into the hearts and are manifest in the faces of the aged veterans of the message at the preaching of the actual nearness of the coming of Christ. The blessed truth of the second advent of our Lord is fresher, newer each day as we see the great day approaching. There is a large number of young people in Wisconsin who we trust will soon find a place in the Lord’s work as ministers, Bible workers, or canvassers. The large foreign population in Wisconsin ought to make it a great missionary center from which to reach all lands represented by the different nationalities in the State.

From August 18 to 27 my work was in Colorado, speaking to the churches of Denver and Boulder, on the recent guidance of the Lord in the move to Washington. I was present five days at the Salida camp-meeting. This camp-ground was in a narrow valley, surrounded by some of the highest mountains of the great Rocky Range. Marshall Pass was in sight, and the Great Divide, where one stream flows east, another west. The attendance of our people was not quite so large as it was when the camp-meeting was held in the eastern part of the State. But this meeting was a real success. Elder Loughborough was present, apparently younger and fresher than for many years. His talks on the power and spirit of the message years ago were most cheering and deeply interesting. After a sermon by Elder E. T. Russell on Sabbath forenoon, there was a most unusual manifestation of the power of the Spirit of God. There was more than a shower; there was an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It seemed as if the great reservoir of divine life was ready to burst in a great flood upon the Lord’s people.

I arrived at the Kansas camp-ground at Newton with Elder Loughborough and Elder L. A. Hoopes, on Friday, August 28, and remained through the entire meeting, until Monday, September 7. This was the largest camp-meeting I attended during the summer. Over eleven hundred of our people were present, and there was a large outside attendance, and deep interest was manifested. The people of the town seemed most friendly. Elder Luther Warren spoke in the Presbyterian church the first Sunday, and I spoke in the Baptist church. I also spoke by invitation to the Y. M. C. A., on the last Sunday afternoon. Elder Loughborough’s message was received with earnest attention, and all seemed to be deeply interested in the preaching of the great truths of the coming of Christ, the signs of the end, the Eastern question, and the Sabbath question. Drs. Droll and Paulson were present during the latter part of the meeting, and Dr. Kellogg spoke three times the last Sunday afternoon. There is a very large number of intelligent young people in Kansas, and from this State, as we have said in regard to Wisconsin, there ought to be sent out a large number of ministers, Bible workers, canvassers, and Seventh-day Adventist medical missionaries.

September 8-14 I was in attendance at the Nebraska camp-meeting at Grand Island. The attendance of our people was not quite so large as in Kansas, but there was a good spirit in the meeting. The weather was somewhat cold and stormy at the last, which prevented a large outside attendance. I was glad to meet the president of this conference, Elder A. T. Robinson, whom I had not met since the winter of 1891-92, in London, on his way to South Africa. A large number of General Conference laborers were present at this meeting, among them being Elder W. C. White, whose counsel was timely and helpful. He left Thursday, September 10, for California. The counsel and warnings of Elder Loughborough, especially on the last Sabbath of the meeting, were deeply appreciated. The stirring discourse by Elder Henry Schultz on the Eastern question Sunday afternoon, will not be forgotten by any present.

In all these five camp-meetings there was a deep, a thrilling interest manifested in the marvelous providences and guidance of God in the removal of our denominational headquarters to Washington, D. C. All seemed to realize that as of old the Lord was guiding his people to a safe and sure habitation, and that this step was a step upward and onward into the light. In all these States, substantial evidence was given of the interest all felt in this great move. In Indiana over $800 was subscribed to help establish the work in Washington, in Wisconsin over $600, in Colorado about $600, in Kansas about $1,400, and in Nebraska $500,—fully $4,000 in all,—and we know that this is but a beginning, and that all through this country our loyal people will rally as one man to plant the banner of truth at the capital of the United States. We shall never forget the thrill of joy and hope that was felt as the clear, direct leadings of God were recounted, and we are certain that the faith of many, yes, all, was greatly strengthened and confirmed in the Testimonies of the spirit of prophecy as manifested in the remnant church. The writer will remember always the deep interest manifested by the German brethren in Kansas in this move, and, in fact, by all the brethren at every camp-meeting. Truly,—

“The Pillar of cloud is rising; Behold what a glorious sight! It leads to the land of promise. Awake! O ye children of light! The trump of God is calling The wilderness-marching host Away from the desert sinful; Receive ye the Holy Ghost.”

J. S. WASHBURN.