The Ohio Camp-Meeting by Allen Moon

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Sep 8, 1904

The Ohio Camp-Meeting

By Allen Moon

The Ohio camp-meeting was held, according to appointment, at Marysville, on the beautiful fair-grounds of that place. The meeting opened on Thursday evening, August 11. During the day previous to the first meeting, the citizens of the county of which Marysville is the county seat, had arranged to hold an old settlers' meeting. From all parts of the country they had invited men and women who were born and raised in that county, to spend a few days in that place, and this particular Thursday was the chief day. The brethren in Ohio offered the members of the Board of Trade the use of their pavilion and the grounds, for this meeting. There were probably more than five thousand persons present, thus affording an opportunity for advertising, such as we seldom have in connection with our camp-meetings. The Board of Trade afterward passed a vote of thanks to the Adventist people in the State of Ohio for thus tendering them the use of their place of worship. Many of those assembled upon the ground to attend the old settlers' meeting expressed surprise and wonder at the preparations for a religious meeting. Many were the promises to visit the camp and attend the meetings while in progress. These promises were probably faithfully kept by many; for the attendance of people from the outside was very noticeable at almost every public service. The evening services especially were attended by hundreds not of our faith.

Elders Daniells and Farnsworth arrived at an early date in the meeting, and their labors were much appreciated. Elder Prescott arrived later, and remained over one night only, speaking in the evening with manifest acceptance on the part of the people. Elder C. J. Herrmann, of Wisconsin, was in attendance, and took charge of the German services. Only a few Germans were on the ground, but the attendance of German people from Marysville enabled him to hold regular preaching services each evening.

The special burden of Elders Daniells and Farnsworth was the work in other lands, and their presentation made a deep impression upon the minds of all present. This was the more acceptable because the missionary spirit had already taken possession of the good people of Ohio, and they were ready to co-operate in any effort for those in the dark places of the earth.

From the beginning the meetings grew in interest and spirit. One noticeable feature was the ready attendance of the people. The general services were so arranged as not to crowd one upon another. The people had an opportunity for preparation, and as soon as the time for meeting arrived, the tent filled very quickly. Another feature worthy of notice was the large attendance at the early morning meeting, which began at 5:30. Almost the entire camp attended this early service.

The most interesting feature, I believe, of the entire meeting was the large attendance of children and young people. The writer took occasion to visit the services held in the various departments, and found in regular attendance at the youths' meeting more than fifty young people. In the intermediate department there were forty or fifty in regular attendance, while in the kindergarten department there were more than thirty under the care of competent teachers.

The services in the youths' and children's department were especially interesting, the majority of the former having accepted Christ as their Saviour. The social meetings in the youths' tent were cheering indeed; also many among the children seemed to have an understanding of the truth, and of what it means to be a Christian.

Elder H. H. Burkholder was re-elected president of the conference, in connection with an able committee of counselors. The committee on recommendations reported in favor of placing one-half the laborers and fifty per cent of the annual tithe at the disposal of the General Conference and Mission Board, to be used by them in the work in foreign lands. There was some discussion of this recommendation, but no opposition, it being adopted as presented by the committee. This act on the part of the Ohio Conference will surely bring the blessing of the Lord and greater prosperity to that conference. God does not fail to reward the liberal in heart. They had been considering for some time the work in other lands. The presentation of the question of the gospel to the world in this generation was in harmony apparently with the spirit of the people of the conference, and the act already mentioned was certainly one of the heart, and not merely mechanical. Other important recommendations were presented, which received favorable action by the conference. For instance, it was recommended that the sale of “Christ's Object Lessons” be immediately taken up by the people of the conference, and pushed forward until the work undertaken by the conference is fully consummated. After the passing of this resolution, pledges were made by those present, to sell more than a thousand copies of the book, the work to begin at once.

Notwithstanding the fact that the camp was visited by a severe wind-storm on Friday night before, the last Sabbath of the meeting was one of special interest and profit to all present. Elder Farnsworth spoke at 10:30 A. M. At the close of his discourse an opportunity was given those who desired to seek the Lord to do so. Many took occasion to re-consecrate themselves to God and his service, while many others gave themselves to the Lord for the first time, to serve and obey him.

At the close of the praise service in the afternoon, Brother B. L. House was set apart for the work of the ministry, by the laying on of hands. Before the close of the meeting several young people offered themselves for service in specific fields under the direction of the Mission Board. On the whole, the meeting was blessed, and will be a blessing.

ALLEN MOON.