p. 15 | In the East by William B. White

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 30, 1909

In the East

By William B. White

In harmony with the invitation of the General Conference Committee and the Atlantic Union Conference to make that union conference my field of labor, I disposed of my property at College Place, Wash., and after spending a day at the Spokane (Wash.) camp-meeting, left there the evening of August 10, on the Northern Pacific Railroad, for my new field of labor.

While passing through Montana, my mind was continually called back to the time when, a few years ago, I was laboring in that field. Many were the blessings enjoyed and victories gained during my labors in that conference. We are glad to see the cause of truth prospering in that field, and trust that God may abundantly bless the work and workers.

I spent one Sabbath at Battle Creek, Mich., and preached in the Tabernacle in the afternoon. At the morning service, which had been set apart for the educational work, the auditorium was quite well filled; and while it is true that a good many have left Battle Creek, still there is a large church there yet, which is trying to uphold the standard of present truth in that place.

While in Michigan, I spent a few hours at the East Michigan camp-meeting, at Jackson, where I met Elder A. G. Daniells, and spent a short time in counsel.

This opportunity was greatly appreciated.

Leaving Battle Creek, my next stopping place was Montreal, Canada, where I spent one day. Here is a great, growing city of three hundred thousand people, mostly English and French, among whom there has been comparatively little work done. The Catholic Church has a strong hold here, and its cathedrals, churches, and other institutions seem to be upon every hilltop; but God has in this city a people for his name, and they must be found before the storm breaks. May God give wisdom and grace to the workers who are called to labor in this vast, surging sea of humanity.

Leaving Montreal, I was soon at Richmond, Vt., where the camp-meeting was being held. Forty-four tents were pitched, and some found homes in rooms near by. About one hundred fifty were in attendance at the camp-meeting, which I understand was rather smaller than the annual camp-meetings usually are. Two hundred thirty-eight dollars was raised for the tent and camp-meeting fund, and thirty-four dollars was given as Sabbath-school collections for foreign missions. Youth and children's meetings were held daily, also parents' meetings. Harmony and union were seen in all the sessions of the conference, and the workers enter upon another year's work with courage and good cheer. Elder O. Montgomery was again elected conference president.

Owing to the close times in the financial world, and to other unfavorable conditions, the tithe for 1908 was hardly as much as for 1907, but the brethren feel hopeful that the coming year the balance will be on the right side of the ledger.

Leaving the meeting at its close, I next made my way to Buffalo, to the annual meeting of the Western New York Conference. Recently the people of this conference purchased a church property in this city, obligating themselves for five thousand dollars for the same. It is a very solid, substantial structure, in a good part of the city, and is well worth the money. It is easily accessible from all parts of the city, and will make the work in Buffalo a good center for some years to come. About this church the little camp was pitched; many, however, occupied rooms in the neighborhood. A large tent was erected, but owing to the cool, damp weather, was but little used, the services being held in the church, which afforded an excellent place for the meetings.

Owing to the fact that many from this conference had attended the General Conference, and also the meetings recently held in the city by Sister E. G. White, the attendance at the camp-meeting was not large, probably two hundred being present. But the meeting was a good one, and at times the power of God came upon the congregation in almost pentecostal power. Many confessed their backslidings and carelessness, and turned to God anew for a reconsecration of life to his service. There was a fair outside attendance, and the interest will be followed up by the workers.

The last day of the meeting, six hundred dollars was pledged by the brethren to assist the Buffalo church building fund and the Tunesassa intermediate school. Nine received baptism in the baptistry of the church during the conference. Elder H. W. Carr was re-elected conference president. The conference the past year has been passing through some trying experiences, but God is helping the brethren, and will give victory if we lean wholly on him.

Leaving this camp-meeting, we proceeded to Fonda, to the New York Conference, a small town about forty miles west of Albany, on the New York Central. About sixty tents were pitched, and about three hundred persons were in attendance. Here we had another blessed season of refreshing, and God came near his people. It was indeed a feast to me, and a strength to my heart. Revivals were held at different times during the meeting, and at times God's power was mightily present in the camp. Backsliders were reclaimed, many started in the service of Christ for the first time, and those long in the way were greatly encouraged. It was a good meeting. Elder F. H. DeVinney was again elected president of the conference.

En route to the meeting from Buffalo, in company with Elder F. J. Piper, I spent one night in the city of Rochester, N. Y. In this city, in the year 1852, the third angel's message began to take shape, and here, May 6 of that year, the first number of Volume III of the REVIEW AND HERALD was published. Rochester for three years was the headquarters of this denomination, till the publishing work, in 1855, was moved to Battle Creek, Mich. Here, too, about the same time Satan began to show forth his mighty signs and wonders in modern Spiritualism. This is a great city of two hundred thousand souls, in which, as yet, but little has been done to bring the truth before the people. Our people should have a church building in Rochester, and there is one which can be bought for about five thousand five hundred dollars, well located, and in good condition. It is almost impossible in these great cities to make a rally for the truth unless there is a church home where people may come and hear the word. There is a small church in the city, composed mostly of those who have not much means; they are not able to carry such a burden alone, and should have assistance. Would not those who read this article like to assist in planting a memorial in this city where Elder and Mrs. White, Elder Uriah Smith, Elder Loughborough, and other faithful workers so bravely raised the standard of truth in early days? I should be glad to hear from those who would like to assist. The Western New York Conference is now putting workers into the city, and with a rallying point, something can be accomplished.

Leaving the camp-meeting at Fonda, I passed down the historic and beautiful Hudson River to New York City, and made a quick change there for Bridgeport, Conn., where the Southern New England camp-meeting was in progress. About forty tents were pitched, and about two hundred persons were in attendance. Here again another good camp-meeting was enjoyed. On the last Sabbath, after a sermon by Prof. C. S. Longacre, a good move was made, and God's Spirit came in in power. Many pressed forward for reconsecration, and some started for the first time. On Sunday twenty received baptism at Steeple Chase Beach. The outside interest here and at the Fonda meeting was excellent, and the conference brethren are planning to follow it up.

On Sunday, the last day of the meeting, in company with a band of singers, the writer held a service in the Bridgeport County jail, with one hundred seventy-five prisoners, mostly men. The Spirit of God was present as we endeavored to hold up Christ, the light of the world, before them. After the service, I had the privilege of visiting Miss Fannie Crosby, the great hymn writer, who lives only a block from the camp-ground. She is now eighty-nine years old, totally blind, but a more beautiful Christian character I never have seen. The hymns, “Rescue the Perishing,” “Saved by Grace,” “Blessed Assurance,” and “Victory Through Faith,” were composed by her. As she related to me the circumstances under which these hymns were written, I was much interested.

At all these camp-meetings all phases of the work have been considered and carefully planned for. Those who attended the meetings from the union conferences and from the General Conference were Elder E. W. Farnsworth, Prof. C. S. Longacre (principal of the South Lancaster Academy), Prof. M. E. Kern, F. M. Dana (union conference young people's and missionary secretary), and Miss May Cole (educational secretary for the union). Elder H. F. Graff, of the Ohio Conference, visited the meeting at Buffalo in the interests of the German work, and Elder R. J. Bryant attended the one in the New York Conference.

In Southern New England no business session was held in connection with the camp-meeting, as their conference was to be held later in the season.

We regard these meetings as very profitable to the work in the Atlantic Union Conference; and personally I have been glad that so early in my labors in this union conference I could form the acquaintance of so many of the workers and brethren and sisters of the field. Pray for the work among these thirteen million souls.

W. B. WHITE.