The Southern California Camp-Meeting
By W. B. White
THIS meeting was held, according to appointment, in Los Angeles, Cal., September 1-11, and was one of the most profitable gatherings held on the coast this season. The camp was pitched on Forty-ninth Street, on a large vacant square of land partly shaded by beautiful pepper-trees, and was a convenient place on which to hold such a meeting. We should judge that the Southern California Conference was well represented, as about two hundred family tents were pitched. These were well filled with our people, who remained, for the most part, till the close of the meeting. This we think is as it should be; for the last days of many a good camp-meeting have been marred, and its work nearly destroyed, by many leaving the ground before the meeting closed.
An excellent spirit of harmony and union pervaded the whole conference, and love seemed to reign supreme. On some points, brethren did not always see alike, nor look at matters in the same light, but while all were free to express their judgment on all matters which came before the conference, we did not discern in all the proceedings any feelings of hardness one toward another, nor hear any bitter words spoken. The keynote of the meeting was the times in which we live, the nearness of the end, and the necessity of knowing Christ and the power of his resurrection before the close of probation. These truths, being pressed home upon the hearts of the people, took effect, and a work of grace was wrought by the power of the Spirit. Two revival services were held during the meeting, when many, with weeping and confession of sin, pressed forward, either to start for the first time in the cause of Christ or to renew their covenant with God. These were precious seasons, and will be long remembered. About forty were baptized during the meeting. God has blessed the labors of the Southern California ministry the past year, and many have been brought to the truth. The first Sabbath of the meeting one of the four sections of chairs in the large pavilion, was given to those who had accepted the truth during the past year, and to our surprise nearly every chair of the section was filled. Probably over one hundred thus responded, who, of course, were not all who during the past year had accepted the truth. The tent effort held in the city just prior to the conference, by Elder Wm. Ward Simpson and other workers, was productive of fruit, and many souls have been won to the truth. For many years plain and pointed messages have been coming to the Southern California Conference that a sanitarium should be opened near Los Angeles, which is probably one of the greatest health resorts in the world. While recognizing the importance of such a move, the conference has never seen the way clearly open to establish such an institution until recently. Six miles north of the city there was built some years ago a hotel of about seventy rooms, which has never been put to much use. It is connected with the city by a fine electric line, and is quite near the depots of the Southern Pacific and Salt Lake Railroads at Glendale. The original cost of this property was thirty-six thousand dollars, but it has been purchased by the conference for a sanitarium for twelve thousand five hundred dollars, on very easy terms. At the camp-meeting about six thousand dollars was pledged in one meeting for the securing of this property. It is hoped that the whole price can be raised in the conference, so that the institution can be started with no great load of debt resting on it. As we looked over this property, we felt impressed that here was where the Lord desired the sanitarium to be established, and with labor and care the place can be made a very inviting one for the sick and suffering. We were all sorry that so much of the time of the conference had to be spent in matters of a purely business nature, and it was decided to hold the conference hereafter in the spring, separate from the large camp-meeting. When so many come to our annual gathering feeling the need of help and instruction, it19seems too bad that our conference laborers should have their time occupied with committees and other business matters. We believe that the time of our ministers at these large gatherings belongs to the people, and we are glad that our Southern California brethren have taken the step they have to bring this about. The finances of the conference are in much better condition than they were a year ago, and courage and faith seem to be in the hearts of the people. A board of management was elected for the Fernando school, and a medical board to see to the medical interests in the conference. Elder C. Santee was again elected president. The conference has planned another strong tent effort in Los Angeles this fall, when it is hoped that more fruit may be gathered to this precious truth. May the Lord bless the cause in Southern California, and give it much success and prosperity.