The Oklahoma Conference and Camp-Meeting
By Eugene Leland
This meeting was held in Oklahoma, the largest city in the State, August 21-31. The arrangement of the camp was such that as one approached it on the car-line from the city, he was reminded of the statement made by the prophet Balaam when he was called upon to curse the people of God. As the camp of Israel burst upon his view, he exclaimed, “How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel!” And as the stranger entered the camp of this modern Israel, the hearty hand-shake, and the cordial greeting of welcome from those whom he never had seen before, recalled the exclamation of Ruth, who, when counseled by her mother-in-law to return to her own people in the land of Moab, exclaimed: “Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” The business of the conference passed off pleasantly and harmoniously. Elder David Voth, who had served the conference in an acceptable manner as president for several years, having been called to engage in evangelical work among the people of his nationality in the city of Chicago, Elder John Isaac was elected president. The executive committee of the conference remains practically the same. Though there has been some little opposition to the organized work in this State, yet the message moves steadily on, and the hearty response to the resolutions indorsing the principles of the general organization, and adopting the plan of raising twenty cents a week per member for the furtherance of the message in foreign lands, showed the loyalty of the people of the Oklahoma Conference. The last Sabbath of the meeting was a day long to be remembered. After a discourse upon the subject of “The Family of God,” a call was made for sinners and backsliders to give their hearts to God. The Spirit of God seemed to move with mighty power upon the people, and without urging, more than one hundred of the young people, and some who were older, responded to the call. And when an appeal was made for all to reconsecrate themselves to God, the whole camp responded. Seventy-one candidates were baptized at this meeting. Prof. M. E. Kern was present two days and rendered special help for the young people. Elder F. H. Westphal was also present for a few days. He was on his return trip to South America from his recent visit to the General Conference. As a result of this meeting we shall expect to see a general forward movement along all lines of work in Oklahoma.