Western Oregon Camp-Meeting by W. B. White

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 19, 1906

Western Oregon Camp-Meeting

By W. B. White

This meeting was held at Woodburn, Ore., a small city about forty miles south of Portland, in the beautiful Willamette Valley, May 31 to June 10. The camp was pitched in a beautiful pine grove about half a mile east of the station, and was connected with the city by sidewalk, making the camp reasonably accessible to the people of the city. About the ninety tents were pitched, and between five hundred and six hundred persons camped on the ground. The laborers present from outside the conference were Elders G. A. Irwin, A. O. Tait, G. F. Haffner, A. J. Breed, F. M. Burg, G. A. Snyder, M. E. Cady, Drs. W. R. Simmons, W. B. Holden, and J. E. Froom, and the writer.

This camp-meeting was pronounced by those who know best, to be one of the most instructive and encouraging meetings of its kind ever held in Oregon. From first to last there was a connected line of study given on the fundamentals of present truth, which was greatly appreciated both by our own people and by those not of our faith. All the speakers seemed to have unusual liberty in presenting the truth, and God certainly blessed their efforts. The spirit of harmony, love, and union which pervaded the meeting was indeed refreshing, and not a discordant note was heard during the entire session. Elder Frank S. Bunch, who has faithfully served the conference as president one term, was re-elected by unanimous vote, with about the same committee for counselors as last year.

During the past year the tithe had increased nearly four thousand dollars, and a surplus of three thousand dollars was in the treasury after all accounts were settled. Of this one thousand dollars was donated to foreign missions.

The report of the Laurelwood Academy showed a gain of about two hundred dollars in its running expenses. The spiritual condition was excellent, and eighteen of the students had been baptized during the year. An effort will be made the coming year to better equip this school, and pay off the small debt resting upon it.

A resolution passed the conference, recommending that a thorough effort be made in the city of Portland and suburbs to carry the truth to the people, and Elder G. A. Snyder, with a company of workers, has located there, and will now begin aggressive work for souls.

A good company of canvassers is now taking the field in western Oregon. Some intelligent, consecrated young men are developing in the ministry, and the work in that field is progressing.

The last Sabbath at noon the meeting was closed by the health officers on account of two cases of scarlet fever which had developed in the camp. Great consideration was shown us by the authorities, but no more meetings could be held. All felt sorry for this, but it could not be avoided.

We thank God for the good camp-meetings in the North Pacific Union Conference this spring, and feel that they have been a great blessing to the work in our field. W. B. WHITE.