The Iowa Camp Meeting by Arthur G. Daniells

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 29, 1916

The Iowa Camp Meeting

By Arthur G. Daniells

The camp meeting held in Nevada, Iowa, May 25 to June 5, was one of unusual interest in many respects. Well-planned efforts had been made in Iowa to secure a large attendance, and these efforts were fully rewarded. More than one thousand people were camped on the ground. Some of the friends spent a portion of the time at the meeting, and then returned to their homes in order to enable others to attend. It was stated by some that this was the best and largest camp meeting ever held in Iowa.

The natural conditions attending the meeting were good. The surroundings were delightful, and the weather was ideal. A splendid spirit prevailed throughout the entire meeting.

Personally, it gave me great pleasure to attend a camp meeting in my home State. I met a large number of brethren and sisters I had known from boyhood, and found them of good courage.

Never have I been at a camp meeting where the people were more faithful in attending all the services—the early morning devotional meetings, the conference sessions, the public preaching services, and the departmental meetings. Nearly the entire camp rallied to all these meetings. This is right; people should go to camp meeting to attend the services, and thus get the greatest returns.

A pleasing feature of the gathering was the old timers' meeting, at which all who were over fifty years of age and had been twenty-five years or more in the truth, were seated on the platform. The size of the company was a surprise, there being more than one hundred and twenty-five of them. All were given the privilege of testifying of their love for the message and of their courage in the Lord. There were also many messages to be read from old friends unable to be present. Iowa has sent out a large number of workers and other faithful members who have scattered into various parts of the world.

The attendance at the Sabbath school the first Sabbath was 996, with an offering of $275.75. There were 1,175 present the last Sabbath, with an offering of $325.46, making a total of $601.21 given by the Sabbath school to missions at the two sessions.

More than $3,000 in cash and pledges was raised for missions in a single meeting. Over $800 was raised to pay for the large pavilion and camp expenses; a total of more than $10,000 in cash and pledges for various departments of home and foreign work was given during the meeting.

The young people's meetings were excellent, with a splendid attendance at the two regular daily services. Profs. C. L. Benson and M. B. Van Kirk, Elder S. A. Oberg, and Brother G. W. White led in this division. Scores of young people gave their hearts to the Lord in these services. Meetings for the children were held in tents especially provided for them and appropriately decorated. These meetings also were well attended.

The music and singing were well directed and well rendered, adding greatly to the interest of the services.

Splendid interest was shown in the meetings on home missionary work. The presence and enthusiasm of Elder S. A. Ruskjer, the union home missionary secretary, added to the helpfulness of these meetings. A good work was done in the distribution of reading matter, and in giving out invitations to the camp meeting.

Brother E. M. Oberg, field secretary of the Northern Union, gave good service in behalf of the book work, holding daily meetings. A goodly number of colporteurs are planning to engage in this work during the summer.

Besides the General Conference and union workers already mentioned, there were present Elders Chas. Thompson, W. H. Edwards, P. E. Broderson, G. E. Nord, William Guthrie, and J. S. Hart.

Fifty persons were baptized during the time of the meeting. The renewal of courage and consecration was testified to by hundreds. The meeting was a blessing to many more.

A. G. DANIELLS.