Michigan Camp-Meeting and Conference Report.
By J. D. Gowell
We had one of the best meetings I ever attended, the Spirit of God being present in great measure. During our business meeting, a letter from one of our laborers in a foreign field in which we have special interest, was read. We had an excellent talk from Sister Houser, and also one from our brother who has just arrived from Central America. We are glad to see the interest taken by this, our oldest, Conference in carrying out the Testimonies, which say we should not expend all our money on the home fields, but should branch out to other needy places. Our Conference was much pleased with the results of Elder Munson's labor in the Island of Sumatra, East Indies, and voted to support him and his family, in that field, for some time to come. We shall send him two teachers for that work, as soon as we can find them. We ask any who have a burden for that work, to correspond with the writer. Our Conference, in considering the needs of the Southern field, voted to help one of the schools, the selection being left to the committee having charge of the work in that field, to the amount of seven hundred dollars during the coming year. The Conference also voted to send one Bible worker to the Tennessee River Conference, and pay his expenses for one year. Steps are being taken to send canvassers, Bible workers, and ministers to the northern part of this State. It was recommended that the Executive Committee select five persons to form a board of education: one, at least, of this board is to be selected from the Battle Creek College faculty; two from the Executive Committee of the Conference; the Conference superintendent of schools is also to be a member. This board is to have full control of the educational work in the Conference. This places all church and industrial schools, now in operation, or that may be organized in the future, under the supervision of this State board of education. It was thought that this would cement the Conference and college, and secure a co-operation that would place the school work on a more thoroughly organized and systematic basis. It is especially requested that no church take steps to open a school, without first corresponding with the Conference board. This board has been organized, and Elder S. M. Butler was appointed superintendent. In the future all correspondence in regard to hiring teachers, organizing schools in the Conference, and tuition in the Cedar Lake school, should be addressed to Elder S. M. Butler, 627 South Ingalls St., Ann Arbor, Mich. Cedar Lake school will open in October, and all students who desire to enter, should correspond with Brother Butler. God has so abundantly blessed our Conference during the last year, as we have taken an interest in foreign lands, that we hope it will encourage all the brethren to be faithful in the future in paying their tithe, so that much more can be done in this work. How wonderfully God has wrought for his people, will be seen by the address, given at the Conference; and may we not all show our appreciation of his goodness by a more earnest effort in the year to come? I feel it my duty to mention, in this report, the fact that many of our old veterans, who have been with the message from the beginning, were with us at the camp-meeting, and the last day of the meeting, Elder Uriah Smith favored us with an address on the Eastern question. He enjoyed his usual freedom in presenting that important subject to a large audience. Elders I. D. Van Horn and S. H. Lane also rendered efficient help in our meeting, which was appreciated by all. Dr. J. H. Kellogg gave us two able talks, which were really the wine at the last of the feast. We pray that all may so relate themselves to his work, as to receive God's richest blessings during the coming year.
J. D. GOWELL.