Western Washington Camp-Meeting by W. B. White

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 5, 1906

Western Washington Camp-Meeting

By W. B. White

This meeting was held in the city of Puyallup, Wash., May 10-20, and was the first of the large camp-meetings in the North Pacific Union Conference. The camp was pitched in the city park—a beautiful block of land, grass-covered, on the electric line, right in the center of town. About seventy-five tents were pitched, and three hundred and fifty or four hundred persons were camped on the ground.

The laborers present from outside the conference were Prof. M. E. Cady, G. Phillips (the general canvassing agent), Elder A. O. Tait of the Pacific Press, Elder P. A. Hansen of the Western Oregon Conference, who labored for the Scandinavian people, Elder H. W. Decker, and the writer. Drs. W. H. Holden and J. E. Froom were also present two days, and their labors were greatly appreciated by the people. The conference was organized Friday morning of the first week, and such unity and harmony existed that the conference officers were elected in the afternoon of the same day. The committee on licenses and credentials also reported at this meeting. I think in all the camp-meetings I ever attended, I never before saw the officers elected the first day of the conference. Only the unity and harmony, with the spirit to prefer others rather than ourselves, made this possible.

The first Sabbath of the conference the Lord greatly moved the people, and many, with weeping and contrition, pressed forward to the platform, and kneeling, made the consecration of their lives to God. Many were not free in God, some were conscious of the fact that they had not completely surrendered to God, and others were cold, formal, and backslidden, and felt desirous of making a new start for the kingdom. The revival services continued largely throughout the forenoon, and all seemed greatly blessed and strengthened. At two of our large camp-meetings—Western Washington and Western Oregon— the Sabbath-school has been placed at three o'clock, giving all the forenoon to meetings of a spiritual nature, and we have found the plan to be an excellent one in many ways.

The evening services were so arranged that the same speakers would follow up the interest after the camp-meeting, and this also worked well, Elder John Holbrook and others continuing the meetings with those who were interested. We trust some embraced the truth through the effort.

After the camp-meeting was over, Brother G. Phillips, the general canvassing agent, gathered a company of about twenty-five young men and women to give them thorough training for the canvassing work. The most of them are now out in the field, and are having good success.

The conference, feeling the need of better facilities for its intermediate schools at Mt. Vernon and Manor, raised about three thousand dollars for their improvement at this meeting.

A spirit of inquiry was prevalent in the camp in reference to matters of controversy in the denomination, and some public meetings were held bearing on these questions. A deep interest was manifested as lessons on the spirit of prophecy were given, showing its relation to the message and the work for this time, and we believe that most of those present, if not all, will prove true to God's work. All were greatly disappointed that Elder G. A. Irwin could not be present at this meeting. Elder F. M. Burg was elected president, Elder E. L. Stewart, the retiring president, having been called to responsibilities in the British Columbia Conference.

On the last Sabbath of the meeting, Brother Joel C. Rogers, who for years has served the cause in different conferences and in different positions, was ordained to the gospel ministry. He will have charge of the educational work in the Western Washington Conference the coming year. This conference is planning for aggressive work in the large cities of Seattle and Tacoma the coming season, and their prospects are bright for the future.

There was a gain in the tithe during the past year of $4,812.41, and after paying all the conference laborers there was a remainder of $1,979.77. A spirit of unity and harmony prevails in the conference, and God is blessing the work.

W. B. WHITE.