Chesapeake Conference and Camp-Meeting by B. G. WILKINSON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Nov 2, 1911

Chesapeake Conference and Camp-Meeting

By B. G. WILKINSON

The annual session of the Chesapeake Conference was held in connection with the camp-meeting at Dover, Del., September 14-24. The camp was pitched in a grove situated conveniently near the town of Dover, which insured for the camp-meeting a good attendance from those not of our belief. Dover is the capital of the State of Delaware, and contains about five thousand inhabitants. The city is situated in the midst of a prosperous farming community, and is a place in which but little preaching of the message had ever been done among the white people.

The pavilion was beautifully lighted and neatly decorated. The camp-meeting was not favored with good weather all the time, but whenever it was possible there was a large attendance from the outside. God greatly blessed in the presentation of the truth to the people who came, so that quite an interest was aroused, which is being followed by a tent effort. We understand that some have taken hold of the truth or are very near the point of doing so. Elder Carlyle B. Haynes, of Baltimore, had charge of the press work relating to the camp-meeting, and did very thorough work in getting out all the news concerning the camp-meeting and reports of the sermons preached. Good accounts of the same were published in all the leading papers of the county, also those of the city of Wilmington and near-by places. This had a splendid effect. Many people spoke of the statistics concerning our denomination, saying they never believed or knew that Seventh-day Adventists were carrying on so aggressive and fruitful a work in the world.

The Spirit of God was present throughout the camp-meeting. Many hearts were revived. Some rededicated themselves to God, and some who were in the valley of decision decided in favor of present truth. There was a liberal spirit on the part of the people, and donations were freely given, especially to the missionary educational fund of the union, and also to the foreign mission work.

Resolutions were passed covering the vital phases of the message. The tithes of the Chesapeake Conference this year have increased to the extent of a thousand dollars more than those of last year. The tent efforts held by the laborers were blessed of God, and souls were brought into the truth in different places through the preaching of the word. We look for a substantial gain in membership in this conference the coming year.

Besides the usual local and union conference help, the camp-meeting was attended part of the time by Elders A. G. Daniells and K. C. Russell; while Elder F. C. Gilbert, of South Lancaster, was present to give one of his stirring addresses. At the baptismal service held Sunday, September 24, sixteen souls were baptized by Elder R. T. Baer, president of the conference.

The officers elected for the ensuing year are: President, R. T. Baer; secretary and treasurer, Miss Emma S. Newcomer. Practically all the other officers remained the same, with the exception of field missionary agent. Brother F. E. Hankins has come into the conference to take charge of this work. We are greatly encouraged with the prospects for the future work in the Chesapeake Conference. We believe the blessing of God will rest upon it, and we may look for a substantial increase to God's kingdom in that field the coming year. B. G. WILKINSON.