GENERAL CAMP-MEETINGS IN DISTRICT 6.
By George A. Irwin
LEAVING Walla Walla the evening after the Sabbath, June 2, we went to Portland, where we spent a pleasant day with the friends at the sanitarium. In the evening of the same day we left for San Jose, Cal., where we arrived at noon, June 5, and went at once to the camp, which was situated along a street-car line in the northeastern part of the city. The large pavilion and most of the family tents were pitched in the sun, only a few being fortunate enough to secure quarters under the protecting branches of the large oak trees scattered here and there over the ground.12 The neatness and taste displayed in the seating and arrangement of the large pavilion made it so attractive that the lack of shade trees was not so much noticed. I think it only just to say that in the matter of the general arrangement of a camp, thus making the place of service attractive, the California brethren excel. While I do not believe in what might be termed “putting on style,” or going to expense for superfluous ornamentation, yet I do believe that the Lord is pleased when loving hearts and hands make use of the talent God has given them, to make his place of worship attractive, so that the people may not be repelled, or heavenly visitants grieved away, by the lack of order and the general untidiness of the place. Everything being in readiness, the meeting opened promptly on time the evening of June 5. A general program had been arranged for future meetings, which was quite closely adhered to, not because of any special effort upon the part of those having the matter in charge, but because it was well adapted to the best interests of all departments of the work. All through the meeting the service at half-past five in the morning was devoted to the reading of the Testimonies, which were well received. The Conference was called the first morning at 9:30, and continued to hold its sessions at this hour each day until the business was completed. Reports from the various societies were given in concise form by the proper officers, and were listened to with interest. The tithe for the last year was $43,574.71. This is the largest tithe paid in any one year in the history of the Conference. Less than four years ago the Conference was owing the General Conference eight thousand dollars in back tithe. Now this is all paid up, and they have a surplus in the treasury of several thousand dollars, after paying all their laborers a liberal allowance. Over $10,000 was raised during the year for the general home and foreign work. An appropriation of $6,000 was made from their surplus tithe fund, divided as follows: foreign missions, $3,000; Australia, $2,000; work in the South, $1,000. Besides this, there was taken in collections during the Conference: for foreign missions, $136.27; Australian field, $252.55 in money and $47 in pledges; Southern work, $186.57 in money and $86.25 in pledges; India famine fund, $56.70. The sales from the bookstand were over $700. While the financial reports were good, the report of visible results in addition of members to the Conference, considering the large number of paid laborers and the amount expended, was not so encouraging, as an actual gain of only a little over three hundred was reported. This would be, on a general average, about four persons to each worker. When so little is accomplished, there must be something radically wrong either with some of the laborers or with the methods used. Surely a different principle should be adopted in many of our Conferences. Persons who are simply consumers and not producers should be advised to take up canvassing or some other self-supporting work. Elder S. N. Haskell was warmly welcomed by many old friends and acquaintances formed during the time he was president of the Conference. He and his wife rendered valuable service in the meetings, he by his stirring discourses upon the cardinal points of the message and what constitutes true Christian experience; while Mrs. Haskell gave daily studies upon methods of giving Bible readings, illustrating her instruction by practical readings written upon the blackboard. The lessons that she drew from the sanctuary were a source of surprise to many, and revealed how little this important subject, which is the center of the whole remedial system, is studied or understood by the masses of our people. Dr. David Paulson, at present manager of the Medical Missionary Training School in Chicago, was present during most of the meeting, and rendered acceptable service, not only in preaching to the public congregation, but by laboring in the young people's meetings, and in special meetings in the interests of healthful living, medical missionary work, etc. Elders J. O. Corliss, A. O. Tait, R. S. Owen, and G. A. Snyder each took part in the public preaching. Elder Corliss speaking several times with his usual freedom and power. Elder M. C. Wilcox, editor of the Signs of the Times, could be present only one day, but he made good use of the time in speaking in the interests of the paper and the general missionary work carried on by the Pacific Press Pub. Co. Elder Clarence Santee, formerly president of the Iowa Conference, arrived on the grounds the fourth day of the meeting, in harmony with a recommendation from the General Conference Committee that he connect with the California Conference. He was warmly welcomed by the brethren, and at once entered into active labor, taking part wherever an opening presented itself. When the time came for the election of officers, he was unanimously elected president of the Conference, to relieve Elder W. T. Knox, who some time before had been called to fill the vacancy on the General Conference Committee occasioned by the resignation of Elder J. N. Loughborough. Quite a lively interest was manifested in Sister E. G. White's forthcoming book, “Parables of Jesus,” given by her for the benefit of our schools. Thirteen hundred and sixty-two copies were sold on the grounds, and one hundred dollars was given for the material fund. It being sixteen years since a camp-meeting was held in San Jose, the meeting attracted the attention of the citizens, so that there was a good outside attendance each evening to listen attentively to such themes as the signs of the times, the second coming of Christ, the Sabbath question, the judgment, etc. Arrangements were made to leave a good company of workers to develop the interest, with the hope that many precious souls will be gathered out, of such as shall finally be saved in the eternal kingdom. It was estimated that fully fifteen hundred of our people were encamped on the grounds. Twenty-seven persons were given ministerial credentials; fifteen, ministerial license; and thirty-seven, missionary license,—a grand total of seventy-nine paid laborers in the Conference. At the close of the meeting, it was universally expressed that it had been the best camp-meeting ever held in the State, not because of any excitement or particularly happy flight of feeling, but because of the good instruction received from the Testimonies and other sources, which had built them up in the most holy faith, and fortified them against the delusions of the enemy. Lack of space forbids the mention in detail of the many interesting features of the meeting, in the consideration of the sanitarium and health food interests, the canvassing work, Sabbath-school work, tract and missionary work, woman's work, and other interests that go to make up the work of the message in all its phases; but I trust that enough has been said to inspire the reader with a desire to have part in the closing message, as it is rapidly hastening on to completion. May God abundantly bless the labor and laborers of the California Conference the coming year.