p. 17 | The Ohio Camp-Meeting by B. G. Wilkinson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Oct 2, 1913

The Ohio Camp-Meeting

By B. G. Wilkinson

As last year the annual conference and camp-meeting of Ohio were in the northern part of the State, this year it was decided to hold them at Hamilton, in the southern part of the State, August 21-31. The attendance was not so large as the year previous, no doubt the cause being found partly in the fact that quite a number of the brethren had attended the General Conference and partly in the fact that Ohio had suffered millions of dollars' worth of damage by the floods which swept the State in mid-winter and early spring.

This did not diminish, however, the earnest spirit of the meeting. I think it was one of the most enthusiastic assemblies ever held in the union. There was quite a large number of new converts to the truth on the grounds. There were several present who were in the valley of decision. Following the night on which the Sabbath question was presented, the writer heard of about seven persons who had decided to keep the Sabbath. The attendance from the city was large, the people giving good attention and being deeply stirred by the truths presented from the pulpit. We believe that an excellent impression was made upon the city of Hamilton, Ohio.

The business of the conference passed off harmoniously. Everything was handled well and all questions were attended to promptly and carefully. The annual reports, both of the president and of the secretary, showed an excellent increase financially in every line. The tithe rose from $30,309 in 1911 to $36,681 in 1912. The per-capita gifts to foreign missions in 1911 amounted to $14.43 and in 1912 to $17.46. This conference is now paying 25 per cent of its tithe receipts to missions. The book work did not make as good a showing for 1912 as for 1911, but steps have been taken to remedy this condition, and Ohio looks for a very heavy report in the matter of literature sales this coming year.

Elder E. K. Slade was again elected president of the conference, with Brother H. D. Holtom secretary and treasurer of the conference and Brother J. I. Cassell secretary and treasurer of the tract society.

The Spirit of God was present in a large measure and his reviving power was greatly felt. None could doubt that the camp was greatly moved by the witness of the Spirit given to the word which was preached. Financially the conference responded to the calls which were made upon it. The gifts to foreign missions given on this camp-ground amounted to very nearly three thousand dollars.

The laborers in attendance from the outside in addition to the regular union men were Elders G. B. Thompson and D. C. Babcock, while the publishing work was represented by Brethren I. A. Ford, A. J. S. Bourdeau, and J. W. Mace.

B. G. WILKINSON.