p. 15 | Camp Meetings in the Central Union Conference

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 28, 1916

Camp Meetings in the Central Union Conference

By R. A. Underwood

THE Kansas camp meeting at Emporia closed September 3. Elders J. T. Boettcher, F. W. Paap, J. P. Anderson, of China, G. F. Haffner, Prof. C. L. Benson, and the usual Union workers were present. The number attending this meeting was about the same as at the meeting in Denver, Colo.—about one thousand. The attendance of those not of our faith was not large. The camp was on the same ground that was occupied last year. More than fifty persons were baptized at the close of the meeting. A large number of young people were present, and the services held with them were of special interest.

Elder Paap gave stirring talks on home missionary work, which were greatly appreciated. Brother Boettcher's studies and his narrations of the difficulties caused by the war in Russia and throughout Europe were of thrilling interest to all. Dr. R. L. Stokes, of the Kansas Sanitarium, at Wichita, was present, and gave a very interesting address in the main auditorium.

The sanitarium, although without a doctor for five or six months, except a local physician who came in for an hour or two each day, made a remarkable financial showing. During the year about $10,000 worth of necessary improvements have been made in the institution, one half of which were paid for from the earnings of the institution.

Elder W. D. MacLay was reëlected president of the conference. The Kansas Conference is the largest conference in the Union. During the past year it has conducted a vigorous campaign along evangelistic lines. About 388 baptisms were reported during the year.

The time of the Nebraska meeting at Hastings overlapped that of the Kansas meeting one week. This did not permit some of the workers to attend both meetings throughout the entire time. About $6,000 was pledged for foreign missions, $2,000 of this being conditional on the sale of land. We understand that a little more than this was raised at the Nebraska meeting.

The meetings in Missouri, Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas all have been successful, and have shown excellent results, especially the efforts put forth for the young people. An earnest spirit was manifested among the youth in all these conferences to prepare themselves for service in the cause of God by attending some of our educational institutions. More than 230 persons were baptized at these four meetings, and these were largely from among the young people.

A portion of Kansas and Missouri has suffered extreme drought. In places there has been no rain for more than two months. The corn crop in a large portion of the State of Nebraska is a total failure. However, in the southwestern part of the State along the Blue River valley there is good corn. The same is true with reference to the central and southern parts of Missouri. The failure, or partial failure, of the corn crop in these States will have some effect on the finances in these conferences. However, the faith and courage of our people is not daunted by the drought and other unfavorable conditions.

The book sales in all these conferences have shown a large gain over the previous year. I think Kansas has led the entire Pacific Press territory in book sales. In all these States there is a large corps of young men and women giving the truth by means of the printed page. This is accomplishing a vast amount of good, as shown by the many instances which were cited at the various meetings of individuals who have accepted the truth as a result of purchasing some of our publications. The colporteur work is thoroughly organized, and is seeking the advancement of this message rather than commercial advantages. With God's blessing, a large number of young men and women have earned scholarships to enter Union College or one of our several academies, to receive a better training for the Master's service.

Our brethren are planning to conduct a vigorous campaign in the Harvest Ingathering work for missions. Already Missouri has made substantial progress in the plan of having all her churches reach the goal of $5 a member. If this can be accomplished, a threefold purpose will be attained,—means will come in to extend this work, souls will be greatly blessed in the reading matter which they receive, and those engaged in the work will be both blessed and strengthened spiritually.

The Central Union Conference, has set its mark to come out ahead on the twenty-cent-a-week plan for every conference in the Union.

R. A. UNDERWOOD.