Northern New England Camp-Meeting by W. B. White

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 12, 1911

Northern New England Camp-Meeting

By W. B. White

This meeting was held at White River Junction, Vt., August 24 to September 3, and was attended by about two hundred fifty of our people from all parts of Vermont and New Hampshire, the two States that form the Northern New England Conference. Two years ago these fields united their interests, and concluded thereafter to walk together as one conference, and the union has been so pleasant and harmonious that we are sure they would not now dissolve it.

The camp was beautifully located about half a mile from the railroad station, on a wooded hill, and here about fifty family tents were pitched; a goodly number of near-by rooms were also occupied. Forty-five delegates represented the field; and an earnest, hearty, enthusiastic spirit seemed to pervade every session of the conference.

In order that more time could be given to the spiritual interests of the meeting, the delegates and most of the people assembled two days before the advertised date, and transacted the larger part of the conference business. This plan worked well and enabled our general laborers to give more time to spiritual interests. A few conference sessions were held during the regular meeting, for electing officers, granting credentials and licenses, and considering some matters of finance, but the pressure of business was greatly relieved by the above-mentioned plan.

The conference adopted resolutions urging that the Harvest Ingathering campaign be taken up with zeal and energy; that the action of the General Conference Council at Friedensau, recommending fifteen cents a week instead of ten cents a week per member for foreign work, be endorsed; that a fund be raised to assist small, struggling church-schools; that earnest attention be given to the French work in the conference; that new tents be purchased for evangelistic work; and that the worthy poor receive careful attention. All these and other resolutions were adopted heartily, and we believe with a spirit which means success for the work.

This camp-meeting was the largest held in this field for some years. New power and life is taking hold of the work in Northern New England. There is now in the field a strong, vigorous class of middle-aged workers, who are pushing the work into new fields, and fruit is beginning to appear. If these workers will now stand unitedly, keep close to God, and press hard the battle, great victories will be gained for the cause.

During the meeting about $600 was raised in cash and pledges for different departments of the work, and plans were laid which will call for a considerable sum of money from the churches the coming year. We believe our brethren will be liberal with the cause of God.

The most important feature of the meeting was the deep spiritual current which ran through the entire session. The power of God was present, hearts were converted, and backsliders were reclaimed. We doubt if any one left the ground without giving his heart to God, and this we believe is as it should be. God met with his people, and it was good to be there. Union, harmony, and love prevailed, and we certainly look for great things in the future from Northern New England.

The following persons were present from outside the conference: L. W. Graham and wife, of New York City; Elder R. D. Quinn, president of the Greater New York Conference; Elder H. C. Hartwell, president of the Massachusetts Conference; Prof. C. S. Longacre and Leon W. Cobb, of South Lancaster Academy; C. J. Tolf and M. M. Hare, representing the canvassing and young people's work; and the writer.

Elder W. H. Holden was again elected president, and Brother R. B. Clapp was ordained to the gospel ministry, his brethren feeling that he had given proof of his calling.

Thus closed a good camp-meeting for Northern New England, and the brethren and sisters were full of faith and courage as they departed to their homes.

W. B. WHITE.