Maine Camp-Meeting by F. M. Dana

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

Maine Camp-Meeting

By F. M. Dana

At the forty-sixth annual session of the Maine Conference some one called attention to the time when the conference was organized, the fact that the believers to be found at that time were not many, and that only a few of those believers are living now. Brother and Sister E. C. Taylor, of Norridgewock, were the only two present who attended the first meeting, and Brother Taylor said he had not missed a meeting during the forty-six years.

The camp was not large, as many were cared for in about twenty-five rooms, but the general expression was that it was one of the best camp-meetings Maine has ever had. Surely the Bible studies were specially helpful and appreciated, some forceful and clear parallel texts and studies being given by Elder R. D. Quinn, president of the Atlantic Union Conference, and by Elder and Sister Haskell, of South Lancaster. The campers appreciated the help given by Elders Town, Starr, Jayne, and P. B. Osborne, Brethren Tolf, Bailey, and Cornforth, and Capt. J. L. Johnson. Prof. W. W. Prescott gave a series of lessons in the evening to the public on some strong subjects following the topics that had been presented in the tent-meetings previous to the camp-meeting.

Prof. B. F. Machlan and Mrs. Quinn, representing the academy, were ever busy with the youth and parents along the lines of Christian education, and we all noted the specially good meetings twice a day at the youth’s tent.

The first resolution passed was one of thanks and consecration, and the next three resolutions called to mind the loss to our work of Elder Joseph B. Goodrich, Brother B. F. Davis, and Sister Everett. Several requests came to our ministry for special remembrance in prayer for several who were ill and could not attend the meetings. We missed some of the old pilgrims who have been at the meetings in the past few years.

Resolutions well responded to were passed upon the Protestant and Liberty magazines, the Ingathering campaign, the twenty-cent-a-week plan, and the Sabbath-school, the young people’s, and the educational work. One recommendation called for some missionary institutes among the churches, another for the organization of a conference church, and one asked our churches to remember our needs by way of a tent and camp-meeting fund. But the resolution that gave considerable study and encouragement to our Maine people was the one recognizing the instruction from the spirit of prophecy regarding the work that should be done in Portland, and the invitation to Elder and Sister Haskell again to open work in Portland. We hope this may extend to many parts of the State. A campaign fund was started at the camp to assist in this special work, and $475 was donated by the small congregation present. Doubtless a much larger sum will be raised when all our churches and friends respond.

The following officers were elected: F. M. Dana, president; A. E. Everett, secretary and treasurer; M. R. Bailey, missionary secretary; Mrs. M. W. Howe, Sabbath-school secretary; Miss Jennie R. Bates, young people’s secretary; W. O. Howe, for the religious liberty work; Mrs. E. H. Walters, M. D., medical secretary; and a conference committee of seven, representing the administrative, the evangelical, and three sections of the territorial lines of the field.

Expressions of courage and hope, of strength and missionary zeal, of hearty confidence in the providences of God were heard on every hand as the campers returned to their homes.

A good and growing interest was awakened by the temperance rally the first Sunday and the meetings through the week. The editor of the weekly paper favored us with a three-column article on the principles of our faith.

F. M. DANA.