Report of Pennsylvania Camp-meeting
By R. A. Underwood
No doubt others will give a report of the Pennsylvania camp-meeting held at Kingston, but as most of the general laborers left before the meeting closed, I wish to notice a few points in connection with this important gathering in Pennsylvania. Those from abroad who assisted at the meeting were Elders Daniells, Cottrell, and Mattson, also Professor Griggs and Brother S. N. Curtiss. Elder Miles was present also during the last few days. It was thought wise by the brethren at this meeting to divide the conference, forming two conferences to occupy the territory formerly known as the Pennsylvania Conference. Owing to the action of the Conference in the division, there was considerable labor brought into the conference, in committee work, etc., in making adjustments of conference property, etc., dividing the laborers to carry forward the work properly in both new conferences. Our brethren and sisters, who were representatives from nearly all parts of the State, entered heartily into the arrangements to make a proper distribution of labor and an equitable disposition of the property between the two conferences. Owing to the fact that our headquarters have been, and are now, at Williamsport, and we have a property there not disposed of, it was decided that the tract society should continue as heretofore, acting for both conferences until such time as some disposition can be made of the property at Williamsport. In the Western Pennsylvania Conference there will be three tents occupying the field during the summer. These will be located at Pittsburg, McKeesport, and Port Allegany. In the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference it seems a necessity to carry forward more than our financial condition would warrant, but we have undertaken the work, trusting the Lord to raise up means to sustain it. One tent will be pitched in Kingston, to follow up the camp-meeting interest. Elder Shrock, assisted by other workers,17will have charge. Elder Schilling will conduct an effort at Reading; Elder Fitzgerald will be in North Philadelphia, Elder Lukens in West Philadelphia, Elder Smith in Harrisburg, each minister having assistants to aid in the work. This will mean quite an outlay of means, considering the resources from which we shall now have to draw in the eastern conference. Our population in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference is equal to, or greater than, that of the Greater New York Conference, which receives quite a large appropriation from the General Conference, and also from the Atlantic Union Conference. In making the division of the conference, the expense of running the work has necessarily been increased; but the advantages to be gained by the division seemed, in the minds of the brethren generally, to overbalance the disadvantages. Our camp-meeting, from the beginning to the close, was an excellent one. There were five persons baptized the first Sunday, and the last Sunday twenty-two were baptized. Owing to the fact that heavy rains visited our camp and all this vicinity during a considerable portion of the time, and the weather was very cold for this season of the year, our attendance from the city was not large. However, on the first Sunday, both in the afternoon and in the evening, the tent was fairly well filled, and on the last Sunday in the afternoon the attendance was larger than at any other meeting. Just before this meeting began, some written questions were handed in by those not of our faith, touching the Sabbath question; this made it necessary to dwell largely upon this question during the closing meeting. The people seemed deeply interested, and we are certain that a general interest has been awakened. We hope that a considerable number will be gathered in as the fruit of the camp-meeting and the labor which will follow; and we desire that God's people, not only in this State, but everywhere, will remember the laborers in Wilkesbarre and Kingston, as they follow up the work already begun. Our brethren much appreciated the good counsel of Elders Daniells and Cottrell, as well as their labors during the time they were with us. Professor Mattson, of South Lancaster, was with us during the entire meeting, and his talks were much appreciated by all, both young and old. There are now two field secretaries in charge of the canvassing work in the State, one in each conference, also two Sabbath-school secretaries. These departments of the work will have some advantage from the labors of those who have engaged in the work themselves. Our brethren enjoyed the camp-meeting, although the attendance of our people was small, owing to various causes, among which we might mention the continued drought, which has brought a measure of discouragement to our brethren in the western part of the State, especially to the farmers. But this condition was thoroughly changed during the camp-meeting, when the rain poured down in continued showers from day to day. Although the laboring brethren take up their work full of courage, yet there is a feeling of sadness in connection with the division of the conference, as the brethren who have heretofore met annually in conference and camp-meeting will hereafter be in different conferences. But we trust that the Lord will bless the step taken, and that it will prove an advantage to both fields in developing men and women to bear responsibilities and carry forward the work more rapidly. My own relation to this field in which I have labored for several years is somewhat changed. Our Western Pennsylvania Conference has selected Elder E. J. Dryer as their president, with a good, strong committee to carry forward the work in that field. I expect to see the work advance rapidly in that conference. The eastern field is more conservative, being settled by the Quakers and sects of a similar character, and a large section occupied by the Pennsylvania Dutch. However, when these people are once reached, they form a good, substantial people. This eastern field will require faithful, untiring labor. It will require more means and more labor to raise up Sabbath-keepers in the east than in the west, owing to the conditions already mentioned. At least, this has been our experience for years. We earnestly solicit the prayers of God's people in behalf of the brethren who will labor in these two new conferences. One of the most favorable features of our camp-meeting is that very few indeed left the grounds without realizing that God had made them free in him, and the brethren and sisters return to their homes to labor in their own churches, or in the field, as Providence directs, with increased courage and strength. May the Lord greatly increase the number of believers, and may many precious souls be added to the church of Christ during the coming year.