The Omaha (Neb.) Camp-Meeting
By A. T. Robinson
The Nebraska camp-meeting is now an event of the past. It was the largest gathering of its kind ever held in the State, and has been pronounced by many who were present as the best camp-meeting they ever attended. Through the messages borne by the laborers from other fields, we obtained fresh glimpses of how the great world-wide message is speeding forward in all parts of the world. Liberal responses were made on the part of the people as the needs of different fields were presented. The work beyond our own borders struck a responsive chord in many hearts, and the testimony of hundreds showed that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” In the public discourses, the great, leading doctrines which make us a distinct and separate people, with a definite message for this generation, were forcibly set forth, and listened to by very large audiences. The last Sabbath and Sunday of the meeting, Sister White was present, and bore her testimony with old-time earnestness and power. Public services were held each day for the German- and Scandinavian-speaking people, also for the young people and the children. The deep moving of God’s Spirit was manifest among all classes, and many persons entered into new covenant relations with God. Three baptismal services were conducted, in which forty-four persons followed the example of their Lord in the sacred ordinance. The business of the conference passed off with perfect harmony. Matters of business, brought before the conference by resolutions or otherwise, were freely discussed, and when the time came for action, there was perfect unanimity on the part of the delegates. The Omaha daily papers gave us very friendly notices, and quite comprehensive reports of the meetings. Special courtesies were extended to us by the street railway company, the city council, and the business men of Omaha. With the exception of a shower one night, the weather during the entire time of the meeting was perfect. Among the important resolutions and recommendations passed by the conference are the following:— “1. Resolved, That we, as a conference assembled, express our deep gratitude to our Heavenly Father for his manifold mercies and blessings manifested to us in so many ways during the past conference year. “2. Resolved, That the Nebraska Conference offer to the Mission Board from two to five laborers to work in needy fields, like Brazil, Chili, Argentina, Africa, or other parts of the great18field waiting for the last message of mercy. “3. Resolved, That this conference pay quarterly for three years to the Mission Board a sum covering the salary of such workers during such portion of the time as they may continue in the work. “4. Resolved, That we approve of the action taken by the Nebraska delegates to the last session of the Central Union Conference in recommending the Nebraska Tract Society to transfer its book and periodical business to the Pacific Press. “5. Resolved, That we favor an arrangement by which the Nebraska Conference shall deal directly with one of the Pacific Press main distributing centers. “6. Resolved, That this conference, through its executive committee, do all in its power to encourage and keep in the field a strong corps of canvassers. “7. Resolved, That we approve of, and seek in every consistent way to carry out, the recommendation of the General Conference Publishing Committee; namely, that a great missionary campaign be entered into during the months of November and December. “Whereas, The fund created the past year as provided for in resolution 5 of last year’s conference proceedings for the assistance of the church-school work, has proved a decided help; therefore,— “8. Resolved, That we continue the same plan for the coming year. “Whereas, There is need of concerted action in the establishment of church-school work, such as appointing church-school boards, providing schoolrooms, raising funds, etc., therefore,— “9. We recommend, That this question receive due attention in our churches not later than the July quarterly meeting. “10. Resolved, That we express our appreciation of the Nebraska Reporter, and earnestly solicit the assistance of our brethren in the circulation of the same. “Whereas, It is the well-defined policy of the General Conference to early place mission fields on their own resources, both financially and in management; and,— “Whereas, The western and northwestern portions of the Nebraska Conference are separated from the eastern portion by a wide stretch of country known as the Sand Hills country; and,— “Whereas, This portion of the conference has a constituency of several hundred members, and a payment of tithe of over $3,000; and,— “Whereas, Representative brethren and laborers from this field are calling for a little closer management; therefore,— “11. Resolved, That we request the Central Union Conference to favorably consider the advisability of setting apart as a mission field, with the view of an early conference organization, under the direction of the Central Union Conference, the territory of the Nebraska Conference covered by the State of Wyoming, the counties of Sioux, Dawes, Boxbutte, Sheridan, Deuel, Cheyenne, Kimball, Banner, and Scotts Bluff, in Nebraska; and the counties of Fall River, Custer, Pennington, Lawrence, and Meade, in South Dakota. “Whereas, There are a goodly number of young men who have spent years in Union College, and who give promise, if encouraged to do so, of developing into strong, active workers in the ministry; and,— “Whereas, The Nebraska Conference has a large number of workers on its pay-roll, some of whom can not be expected to become efficient public speakers; therefore be it— “12. Resolved, That this conference urge its incoming executive committee to carefully study this situation, and as far as may seem necessary, to arrange for some who have been laboring as conference employees to enter the canvassing or some other line of self-supporting work, and thus open the way to encourage suitable young men to enter the work, with a view of developing into strong laborers. “13. We recommend, That article 5, section 1, of the constitution be changed so as to read, The officers of this conference shall be a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, missionary agent, superintendent, and secretary of Educational Department (consisting of Sabbath-school, church-school, and young people’s work), and an executive committee of seven, the president and any three members of whom may constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, provided they are unanimous. “14. Resolved, That a vote of thanks be extended by this conference to the Rogers Real Estate Company for the use of the grounds that have been placed at our disposal for this great camp-meeting. “15. Resolved, That we express our heartfelt appreciation to the press of Omaha, the city council, the street railway company, and the business men of the city, for the uniform courtesy extended to the management of this meeting.”