Oklahoma Camp-Meeting by Ole Andres Olsen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 29, 1910

Oklahoma Camp-Meeting

By Ole Andres Olsen

It was my privilege after sixteen years to again attend a camp-meeting in this State. The meeting was held at Capitol Hill, Oklahoma City. Many changes have taken place, and the work has made wonderful forward strides. Sixteen years ago Oklahoma was a comparatively new field; now it has grown to be one of the strong conferences of the home land.

This was the largest gathering of our people I have witnessed this season. The attendance from the city and surrounding community was large and attentive; indeed, there seemed to be a real interest to hear the truth. Daily services were conducted in German as well as in English. The business sessions of the conference were harmonious. Three new churches were added to the conference, and Elder David Voth was unanimously re-elected president. The different interests received due attention, and seemed prosperous.

Besides the laborers of the conference and union, Elder A. J. Haysmer, representing the Negro Department, and Brother L. A. Hansen, representing the relief campaign work, with Elders G. F. Haffner, S. S. Shrock, and the writer, were present. The preaching was practical, and of a nature to lead the audience to deep heart-searching. The two Sabbaths of the meeting were days of rich blessing and precious experience.

The presentation of the great world-wide mission field and its need of both laborers and funds, resulted in the raising of over two thousand dollars in cash and pledges for the mission fields. Besides this, the conference is turning over regularly one fourth of its tithe to the General Conference for its work abroad. The call for the $300,000 Fund met a hearty response, and so did the ten-cent-a-week plan, which this conference hopes to raise to a higher figure.

The call for recruits for the mission field also met responsive hearts. During the meeting Prof. W. R. French received a call from the General Conference to go to India, to which he willingly consented; and he and his family started at once for that important field.

Besides Elder French, Brother R. P. Montgomery (just ordained), with his wife and a number of other promising young laborers, handed in their names, which have been sent on to the General Conference. These intend to enter the Foreign Mission Seminary the present year, to prepare to take up such work as they may be best fitted for.

In the early morning of the last Sabbath at the camp, we had a very interesting and precious meeting. The conference had recommended that four young laborers—R. P. Montgomery, J. B. Hampton, R. B. Coberly, and Isaac Baker—be ordained, and receive credentials. The quiet of the morning hour seemed to us a very appropriate time for this solemn service. After a short discourse on the calling of the gospel ministry, these brethren were set apart in the usual way. The Spirit of God was signally present, and it was a very precious season.

I greatly enjoyed my association with Elder G. W. Watson, president of the Southwestern Union Conference. May God greatly bless him in his work. I left the evening after the last Sabbath of the meeting, to attend the annual meeting of the International Publishing Association, at College View, Neb., September 5. Now I am on my way to the Wisconsin camp-meeting.

O. A. OLSEN.