The Upper Columbia Camp-Meeting by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 28, 1883

The Upper Columbia Camp-Meeting.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

WE left San Francisco for Oregon, June 2, in company with Brethren White and Smith, and Sisters Scott and Edith Donaldson. We arrived at Walla Walla, W. T., Wednesday, June 6. Here we were obliged to remain over night and therefore did not reach the ground at Milton, until after the meeting had commenced. The meeting was held on the farm of Bro. Nichols, at the same place where it was held three years ago. Bro. Boyd accompanied us from Portland. This camp-meeting was not a large one, less than one hundred and fifty were present, yet in many respects we trust that the meeting was a profitable one. The Spirit of the Lord met with us and encouraged many hearts. The brethren appreciated the words spoken; and although there was not that demonstration of feeling manifested that we have seen at some camp-meetings, our friends seemed determined to take such steps as would carry the cause into new fields the coming year.

The business meetings passed off harmoniously, and all indicated a determination to see something more accomplished the coming year than has been in any one year in the past. At the time that Eld. Colcord came to this section of the country, but little had been accomplished in the tract and missionary work. At that time our brethren felt somewhat discouraged as to the cause in some respects, but Sister Colcord, who has acted as secretary, has proved efficient, so that there was not only a good feeling among the friends of the cause in the missionary work, but their financial standing was very good. A Reserve Fund of about $700 had been raised and about $200 more was pledged, including what was paid in upon the camp-ground.

The resolutions passed at the Conference showed that the brethren are determined to keep up an interest among themselves so that the ministers could go into new fields to labor: and Bro. Russell was recommended to visit the brethren at their homes and labor with them in reference to the various enterprises connected with the cause of God. He thought that during the coming year he could visit every family of Seventh-day Adventists in this Conference. He will see how they are prospering at their homes, in their families; whether they have family prayer morning and evening; whether they have our periodicals—our principal books; he will hold Bible classes, or Bible readings with them, and investigate such points as may not be clear to them, as well as labor in the interests of the Sabbath-school, and the church. It is evident that this kind of work should be done to a greater extent than it has been done in the past; and there are experienced brethren who can do this as well as the minister who may be adapted to enter new fields.

Our people must become established in the truth and thus be prepared to give a reason of their hope, for the hour of temptation "which will come upon all the world, and try them that dwell upon the earth." If the Lord is soon coming, then it is high time that we should make special preparation for that event. The Testimonies and the different volumes of "Spirit of Prophecy" should be in the hands of every family of Seventh-day Adventists, and all should take time to read their Bibles, and to investigate the truth. It is time that we ripen off for the kingdom of God. Eld. Russell is a man of some experience, and we trust that God will bless his labors and make him useful in this branch of the work. Bro. Goodwin is also a man of influence and he feels that it would be a privilege for him to devote his time to this kind of work and to canvassing. Young men were encouraged to go into the field with some experienced laborer, so that the prospect now is that instead of two laborers, Eld. Jones and Eld. Colcord, there will be in connection with them not less than four or six more. There were sufficient funds in the treasury to pay their ministers about as they would have received in the East, and yet leave a small amount to commence operations with. As there will be an increased number of laborers the coming year, there must necessarily be an increased amount of tithes sufficient to carry forward the work as the providence of God may open the way in this Conference.

On the Sabbath-day some eighteen or twenty came forward for prayers, about fifteen for the first time. Eight were baptized on Monday. The meetings closed Tuesday morning. Those who preached upon the ground were Eld. Boyd, Eld. Jones, Eld. Colcord, and the writer. The forenoons were occupied in Bible readings, while in the afternoons and evenings there were regular discourses given. Much instruction was given to our leading brethren in reference to the nature of our work, and plans were laid, which if carried out (and we believe they will be) will tell much for the advancement of the truth the coming season. Our brethren need to be educated as to what is to be done, and how they can take hold of the work. Some definite plan should be presented before those who think of entering the work, that they can take hold of it understandingly and move forward in the fear of God. The SIGNS canvass as it is being adopted in the Eastern Conferences presents an opening for many who wish practical experience in pastoral labor.

Our friends became convinced that instead of carrying forward a school, as they have had in contemplation, it would be better to select some good teachers, or some who have teaching in view, and encourage them to attend the Healdsburg College, to fit them for the different features of this work. Young men who feel it their duty to enter this work, were also advised to attend the College. We think that in a short time there will be some who will attend the Healdsburg College from this Conference. There is no reason why that College should be considered simply a Californian institution. It rightly belongs to the friends of the cause on the Pacific Coast. We invite them to send their young men and women to the same, that they may receive the benefit to be derived from it. We also invite them to help sustain it with their prayers, their sympathy, and their means.

Our brethren returned to their homes apparently much encouraged, and with faith to believe that next year they will have a larger camp-meeting than ever in the past.

Notwithstanding the numbers were few and there were no great demonstrations of interest manifested in a general way, the sales amounted in the aggregate to about $200. This will illustrate the results of the meetings in other respects. We shall look forward with interest to the future of this Conference. May the Lord grant his special blessing to rest on the efforts of the friends of the cause in the Upper Columbia Conference. S. N. HASKELL.