p. 17 | The Chesapeake Conference and Camp-Meeting

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Aug 8, 1907

The Chesapeake Conference and Camp-Meeting

By E. W. Farnsworth

This meeting was held July 5-14, in Gardenville, one of the suburbs of Baltimore. The tents were pitched in a beautiful, natural grove which afforded perfect shade. About thirty family tents were occupied by one hundred and fifty persons. On Sabbaths and Sundays there were probably two hundred and fifty of our people on the ground.

Peace and harmony prevailed, and the opinion was expressed that this was the best camp-meeting ever held in the conference. Nearly all the officers who served last year were re-elected, Elder Morris Lukens being retained as president. One church was taken into the conference, and the secretary's report showed that seventy-five had been admitted to church-membership during the year. The tithe had increased, and the general financial condition was found to be encouraging. Several young men have recently been taken into the employ of the conference, and it is hoped that these will develop into successful laborers.

Profs. B. G. Wilkinson and B. F. Machlan were present at this meeting, and labored especially for the young people. The children's meetings were in charge of Sister Emma Newcomer. One forenoon service was devoted to convention exercises for young people, and another to the Sabbath-school work. There are quite a number of intelligent youth in this conference who should develop into useful workers.

Elders I. H. Evans and R. D. Hottel, Dr. D. H. Kress, and the writer were the laborers present, besides those employed by the conference. Several revival services were held, in which many gave themselves to the Lord for the first time, or consecrated themselves anew to his service. The second Sabbath of the meeting seventeen were baptized in a stream near the encampment.

The city papers, such as the Baltimore Sun and the Baltimore American, sent reporters to the ground, and full and kind reports of the meeting and our work as a people were published in the papers. Thus the truth was given to thousands who otherwise would not have heard it.

The outside attendance increased till the meeting closed. The last Sunday afternoon and evening there were many more than could be accommodated in the large tent. Seats were arranged outside, and the people listened with unusual attention to the word spoken. The interest was such that it was decided to continue the meetings at least another week before moving the tent into Baltimore. It is hoped that a company will be brought out in Gardenville which will form the nucleus of a strong church. Elder Lukens will remain with other workers, as long as may seem necessary.

Altogether, we consider this meeting a successful one, and trust that its influence for good may extend all through the coming year.

E. W. FARNSWORTH.