The Ohio Camp Meeting by E. K. Slade

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 19, 1916

The Ohio Camp Meeting

By E. K. Slade

The fifty-fourth annual conference and camp meeting of the Ohio Conference was held in the city of Newark, August 17-27. The location was a beautiful one. Mound Park is noted for the large prehistoric mound it contains. This mound is in the shape of a horseshoe, and is exactly one mile in circumference, measuring in the line of the center of the top of the mound. No one knows definitely by whom, or for what purpose, these great mounds were constructed. They are very interesting to students of history in this time, and they indicate a remarkable outlay of labor and engineering skill.

The meeting was well attended by our own people, and the attendance of those not of our faith was exceptionally good. The reports given indicated a most encouraging gain in the various departments of the work. Two hundred and sixty-seven persons were added to the membership of the conference during 1915. This did not include the number brought in after the close of the conference year as a result of the efforts made preceding that time. It was reported that ten strong tent efforts were conducted during the summer season of 1916. Eight of these were large city efforts, involving heavy expense, but giving promise of a large number embracing the truth.

The city work in the State of Ohio is receiving earnest attention. It was made evident that the executive committee is giving such attention to the problem of working our cities as the present conditions require. Instead of conducting one large, expensive effort, facilities and laborers have been provided by which three efforts have been carried on in the leading cities of the State at the same time.

It is encouraging to know that a favorable response to the urgent needs of the times is seen in the tithe receipts. In 1910 they amounted to $32,337, in 1915 they reached $44,137, and the tithe receipts for 1916 will be $50,000. The mission offerings for 1910 were $10,602; in 1915 they reached the sum of $23,993, a gain of $13,391, or 126 per cent. In the Sabbath school work, it was seen that there has been a gradual gain in interest, in general efficiency, and in offerings to missions. The Missionary Volunteer work of the Ohio Conference is making good progress. The general educational work and the church school work also gave an encouraging showing.

In our literature work, including the subscription book work, the Ohio Conference has made an excellent record. To indicate the advancement made in this important branch of the cause in Ohio, we give the results of the business done in 1910, which amounted to $17,893, and in 1915, which reached $38,854. This gives us a gain of $20,960, or 117 per cent. The business in this department in the year of 1916 will doubtless pass far beyond the $40,000 mark. It was interesting to hear the reports rendered by the heads of departments, and to hear from those who had been out in the field engaging in the various lines of work.

The Lord's blessing was enjoyed in a special manner throughout the meeting. Excellent help was provided from the General, Division, and Union Conferences. Profs. W. W. Prescott, M. E. Kern, and C. S. Longacre, from the General Conference; Elder J. W. Hirlinger, Profs. B. G. Wilkinson and C. L. Stone, Drs. D. H. Kress and H. W. Miller, and Brother C. V. Leach, from the Union Conference; Brethren L. W. Graham, J. W. Mace, J. L. McConaughey, representing our publishing work, contributed much to the success of the meeting. All the ministers and workers of the Ohio Conference were present, each one contributing his share to the general uplift of the meeting.

As a result of the Lord's special blessing, a large number responded to a call to reconsecration to the Lord's work, and there were some new conversions. Before the close of the meetings, a few of those attending the services from the city took their stand to obey the truth. Twenty-five were baptized, and quite a number will be baptized some time later at their home churches.

There was a liberal response to the general calls that were made for funds, such as the foreign mission fund, the Washington Missionary College fund, and the Ohio city and tent fund. All that was pledged and paid in cash in response to these calls, including the amount received preceding the camp meeting, on the Washington Missionary College fund, approximated $18,000.

It was felt that in the splendid messages that were presented and in the important recommendations that were adopted, the Spirit of the Lord was present in a special manner to bless and revive his people.

The election of officers resulted in only slight changes from the preceding year. The workers and believers returned to their homes and fields with a renewed determination more earnestly to prosecute the work in the great State of Ohio.

E. K. SLADE.