The West Virginia Camp Meeting by B. G. WILKINSON

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

The West Virginia Camp Meeting

By B. G. WILKINSON

THOSE who attended the annual session of the West Virginia Conference this year could only say at its close, “What hath God wrought!” Sabbath keepers who have been many years in the way in this State said they never saw so many new faces before at a camp meeting as at this one, and that it was by far the largest meeting ever held in the State.

The session this year, as last year, was held at Weston, August 30 to September 10. Weston is a town of about 7,000 inhabitants. The public turned out splendidly to our meetings, and many remarked that our attendance was larger and better than in 1915, while the sermons and discourses also were better, producing greater effect.

Never at any previous camp meeting in West Virginia had the people shown such consecration to God’s work, both of themselves and of their means. Two special revival services were held, in which some for the first time took their stand for the truth, while many who had been faltering renewed their consecration. Though there were only 125 of our brethren on the ground, and all of these were not present when the call was made Thursday morning in behalf of the new administration building for Washington Missionary College, there was given in cash and pledges between $1,600 and $1,700. The total amount from this conference will be raised to $2,000. The mission gifts at the two Sabbath schools amounted to more than $300, while another call made Sunday morning found the brethren responding with $1,120. In other words, gifts amounting to more than $3,100 were given at this meeting.

A special session was held to present the Harvest Ingathering campaign. This little conference, with between two and three hundred members, ordered nearly 14,000 of the Missions Signs. Great enthusiasm was manifested, and we believe they will engage in this campaign with all their hearts. On another morning when Brother Enoch presented some of our pamphlets, tracts, and books for sale, the entire stock in the book tent was sold. From every standpoint, the camp meeting was a great blessing.

We were favored part of the time with the presence of Elder A. G. Daniels, and most of the time with the presence of Elder George F. Enoch. The regular corps of Union and local conference laborers were also present. We regret to say that Elder J. W. Hirlinger, who has been acting as president of the conference the past year, was not very well, so he was unable to attend the meetings. However, God has greatly blessed him in his labors of devotion the past year in the West Virginia field. He has now been called to take the home missionary secretaryship of the Columbia Union Conference. As a result, Elder D. A. Parsons, of Pittsburgh, was called to West Virginia, to fill the presidency. He comes into his new field with good courage, and is meeting a hearty welcome from the people.

B. G. WILKINSON.