p. 47 | The Ontario Camp-Meeting by William Ambrose Spicer

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Jul 23, 1901

The Ontario Camp-Meeting.

By William Ambrose Spicer

The camp-meeting of the Ontario Conference was held in Toronto, June 20 to July 1. The camp was pitched in a cluster of trees about three miles from the city. The electric street railway running from Toronto to Toronto Junction passed the grounds, making the camp convenient of access. About forty tents were pitched, and the neatness and order with which camp arrangements were carried out made a favorable impression upon those who attended.

The newspaper press of Toronto was especially helpful, every leading paper of the city sending its representative to the grounds. All descriptions of the meetings and reports were of the friendliest character, and by this means our work in Ontario was made known to many thousands.

While the attendance of the general public was not large, there was a fair interest from without, and on both Sundays of the meeting we were all thankful for good congregations of people who were evidently thoroughly interested. The attendance of our own people at the meeting was about two hundred, perhaps somewhat more than this toward the close. I believe all came seeking a blessing, and the Lord did not disappoint any. Personally, I never had a better time in any given ten days, and I think this will be the testimony of all who were present during the meeting.

The constitution of the Conference was amended, making all members of the church present at a Conference meeting, delegates to the Conference in session. Simple as such action may be, it made all present feel that they were decidedly a part of the business proceedings, and responsible for all that was done. None were spectators, but all were sharers in the responsibilities and the blessings. And in truth it was a blessing to have a part in the business meetings, which were held every morning during the Conference. The business sessions were as thoroughly spiritual as any of the meetings, and were every day the best possible preparation for the afternoon services, which were especially given to Bible study and instruction.

The brethren are planning as vigorous a campaign for the summer as the finances and the working force will permit, and all the people were of one accord in pledging themselves to stand by with their prayers and means. Ontario is a splendid province, and its people are of the sturdy British colonial stock. All felt that the camp-meeting was giving a new impetus to the work, and both laborers and people expect greater things from God, and will attempt greater things for Him in the year to come.

Elder Daniels was present the first three days of the meeting, and Brethren D. W. Reavis and W. H. Edwards were with us during most of the closing week. Elder J. W. Collie was elected president of the Conference, and receives the heartiest co-operation of his fellow workers and of all the people, as he takes up his duties. Associated with him on the Conference Committee are Brethren Dryer, Watson, Robinson, and McCormick. The ministerial workers in the field are Elders Collie, Starr, Ballenger, Dryer, Howe, Simpson, and Spear, with a number of Bible workers and other helpers. This is a small force for so large and important a field, but all expect to see the numbers increase.

It seemed best to close the public effort with the camp-meeting, but the brethren plan to hold a tent-meeting nearer the heart of the city as soon as a tent for the purpose can be obtained from the manufacturers. When this effort is begun, there is every indication that many who became interested during the camp-meeting will attend. The last Sunday afternoon and evening the Sabbath question was presented, and when Brother Collie called for the Sunday evening congregation to express itself as to a continuation of the meeting at a later time, there was a most hearty vote for more meetings.

The people desire to hear the truth, and it is evident that a good work will yet be done in Toronto itself. I think all of us who were merely visitors at the meeting felt some regret at having

to leave so good a field. That is the grand thing about this world we live in; wherever we go, we find the people so ready to be helped that we would like to stop in every place. As in a simple way all studied together concerning the wondrous grace of God which is in Christ Jesus the Lord, all were made to rejoice in the saving power of His love. Burdens rolled away, and courage filled every heart.

Tuesday afternoon almost the whole congregation, as one person, moved forward in the consecration service. Parents laid off the burden of common every-day sinning, and little children, almost to babyhood, asked that they might be prayed for. It was the same work that we hear of in all the camp-meetings, and is simply another indication of the fact that everywhere the Lord is moving this people onto higher ground. W. A. SPICER.