The Northern Union Conference Camp-Meetings by R. A. Underwood

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 2, 1906

The Northern Union Conference Camp-Meetings

By R. A. Underwood

THE Alberta meeting was the last of the six camp-meetings held this season in the Northern Union Conference. Prof. P. T. Magan attended the Alberta meeting, and rendered valuable assistance. Elder C. A. Burman was with us, and entered heartily into the labors of the meeting.

It had been expected for some time that a conference would be organized in Alberta. We are glad to report that this was done, six churches being received as charter members. The entire number of Sabbath-keepers in the province is about three hundred and thirty. Elder C. A. Burman was elected president, Elder J. W. Boynton vice-president, and Sister Stella Lowry secretary and treasurer of the conference. We now have in Northwest Canada, including British Columbia, three organized conferences, besides the large province of Saskatchewan, which is at present connected with the Manitoba Conference, but will doubtless soon be organized into a separate mission field. I believe this entire field should be organized into a union conference not far in the future.

Others have reported the camp-meetings in the Northern Union Conference, and doubtless a full report of the Alberta meeting will be given by those on the field. I wish, however, to speak of the results of these meetings in a general way. When we consider the large expense incident to our camp-meetings, and the wearisome labor incumbent upon those who prepare for these meetings, as well as upon those who travel from meeting to meeting till often the physical man is nearly prostrated, the question arises, Do camp-meetings pay? This question can be properly answered only in view of eternity. At the six meetings about one hundred and forty persons have been baptized. The most of these entered the Christian life at these meetings. A large number of our brethren and sisters have been greatly encouraged and strengthened spiritually. At all these meetings important steps were taken that are far-reaching in results, and a much broader view of the work at home and abroad has been received by many; but had the meetings not been held, the opportunity

for such expansion of views would not have been given.

Something over eleven thousand dollars was donated by our brethren at these meetings to help the work at home and abroad. The larger portion of this sum goes into the foreign field. India received over two thousand dollars. South America, Korea, and other foreign fields came in for their share. The work in the South was not overlooked. Prof. P. T. Magan’s labors were very helpful to our brethren in a general way, also his talks concerning the condition and needs in the South.

While our efforts at the camp-meetings do not always bring the results hoped-for, on the whole these meetings are most profitable, and the faithful labor, in whatever capacity, rendered by all to make these meetings a success will not lose its reward. The spirit of prophecy has said, “The camp-meeting is one of the most important agencies in our work. It is one of the most effective methods of arresting the attention of the people, and reaching all classes with the gospel invitation.” This statement has been invariably fulfilled in the several meetings in the Northern Union Conference this season. Many people in the location of the camp-meeting have heard the message for the first time. Some of these gladly received the truth and were baptized. Others have received impressions that will continue with them. Our own brethren have been greatly encouraged. Their views of the work of God have been greatly enlarged. They have responded nobly to the calls for means, and as they have given of their substance, God has richly blessed them in so doing, and eternity alone can give the results of the labor and sacrifice made at all these gatherings. They are one of God’s agencies to accomplish the finishing of the gospel in this generation, and to prepare the people of God to join in the encampment in the city of God under the branches of the tree of life—not long to be deferred in its realization. R. A. UNDERWOOD.