THE PENNSYLVANIA ANNUAL CAMP-MEETING AND CONFERENCE.
By L. T. Nicola
The camp-meeting and Conference of Pennsylvania were held during the month of June, in Philadelphia. The camp was in the northern outskirts of the city, on an open site, accessible and sanitary. Adjacent were springs of excellent water, which, with the cleanly condition of the grounds, contributed materially to the comfort and health of the campers. The attendance from the Conference was nearly as large as usual, although the meeting was held on a border of the State. Also, there were present representations from several churches of the Atlantic Conference525particularly those in the southern part of New Jersey. The public speakers present from outside the Conference, and sharing prominently in the labors of the meeting, were Elders Cottrell, Place, Russell, Ballenger, Professor Griggs, and Dr. Nicola. In connection with the meetings of the Conference, tract society, and Sabbath-School Association were brought out many interesting features of the work of the last year, and important plans were laid for the coming year. Elder R. A. Underwood was re-elected president. The increase of membership of the Conference for the year was two hundred, and five new churches were added; while the increase of the tithe for the year amounted to sixteen hundred dollars. The financial outlook of the Conference and tract society was shown to have greatly improved. A teacher at South Lancaster, and a missionary in a foreign land, were supported from the tithe, in addition to the maintenance of the work in the home field, and in addition to the usual First-day, and other special offerings raised for missionary enterprises in the general work. Among the resolutions adopted were those recommending the laying aside of ten cents a week by each member, for foreign missions; the continued support, from the tithe, of a worker for a foreign field, and of a teacher at South Lancaster; the establishment of church schools and the selection of proper teachers; hearty co-operation in the plan for relieving the indebtedness of the South Lancaster Academy by the generous circulation of Sister White's new book on the parables of Christ; the holding of general meetings in the Conference, to begin in the early autumn; the raising of a fund to meet the present growing need for assistance of the poor; the hearty indorsement of the Reading Circle, and an urgent invitation to all to assist in extending the influence of this important work; a general, earnest, and prayerful effort in soliciting subscriptions for our periodicals, and in the free distribution, loaning, and selling of our publications; the devoting of at least one day, in all general meetings, to the Sabbath-school interests, and frequent similar efforts on the part of single schools, inaccessible for assistance from other schools. Seven tents will be run the present summer, including one for the Germans and one for the Scandinavians; and a special tent effort will be made in Philadelphia, under the direction of Elders Wheeler and Fitzgerald. The outside attendance was not large, and many were kept away the last Sunday on account of heavy rains. A number, however, became deeply interested, and were present at most of the regular services. Twenty-eight persons received baptism. The last Sabbath was a day long to be remembered on account of the special presence of the Holy Spirit; it wrought with mighty power. Confession of sin, and a close union in the work, marked the attitude of ministers and laymen. May the deep impressions made that day never be forgotten. The meeting was a successful one. Its influence will doubtless be felt throughout the Conference in increased home piety, and in more energetic effort in extending the Third Angel's Message. Let the Lord be praised for such precious assemblies of the saints. L. T. NICOLA.