p. 16 | Camp-Meetings in the Lake Union Conference

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 7, 1912

Camp-Meetings in the Lake Union Conference

By William T. Knox

BEGINNING with June 20, the writer was in attendance at camp-meetings in the Lake Union Conference the greater part of the time until September 8, the opening meeting being at Wausau, Wis.

Space will not permit more than a very brief statement concerning any of these meetings. In a general way, it could perhaps be said that all the meetings were good, and the results attained gratifying. We are, however, hardly warranted in thus classing all together, for some of the meetings were excellent, and brought courage and strength to all hearts, a marked interest and desire to seek God being manifest throughout the meetings. Those at Greenup, Ill., Kokomo, Ind., and Traverse City, Mich., were especially noticeable in these particulars, and many gave themselves to the Lord in heart-felt conversion and consecration.

In some cases it seemed necessary to awaken an interest, and to impress upon those attending the necessity of a better experience and a closer relationship with God. All the camp-meetings, however, were characterized by a strong revival effort, with excellent results.

Other interesting features of the meetings were work for the young people, our world-wide mission work with its financial problems, and the publishing and education work.

These gatherings made evident our great possibilities in the young people of the denomination. In the Lake Union Conference there is an army of young men and women, which with proper training and devotion will become a great factor in the closing work of the message.

The legislative work of the conference was generally of a satisfactory character, little change being made in the election of the officers, and other legislative work in the main being restricted to those questions that were of vital importance.

The dates of the meetings and the principal officers elected were—

Wausau, Wis., June 20-30. W. H. Thurston, president; John C. McReynolds, secretary and treasurer.

Greenup, S. Ill., July 29 to August 5. E. A. Bristol, president; Edith McClellan, secretary.

Kokomo, Ind., August 5-11. O. Montgomery, president; H. H. Rans, secretary and treasurer.

Bay City, E. Mich., August 12-19. Wm. Guthrie, president; Frank Hiner, secretary and treasurer.

Traverse City, N. Mich., August 26 to September 1. J. J. Irwin, president; S. E. Kellman, secretary and treasurer.

Kalamazoo, W. Mich., September 2-8. C. F. McVagh, president; H. H. Todd, secretary and treasurer.

Impressive ordination services were held at Kokomo, when Brother Thomas Hubbard was set apart to the work of the gospel ministry. A similar service took place at Traverse City, Brother E. F. Peterson being ordained to the gospel ministry.

The reports submitted by the presidents and secretaries were in most respects of an encouraging nature. Perhaps the most backward and discouraging feature, and one that was noticeable throughout the union, was the mission offerings. This has been a very weak point in the service of these conferences for a long time. It is encouraging, however, to see some of them taking hold of this work with earnestness. The poor showing in this respect made by some of the strongest conferences is something that should arouse the responsible men to most active and persistent effort.

A strong hope is entertained that the work started during these meetings will work a reformation in the matters in which the conferences have been backward. W. T. KNOX.