Wyoming and Colorado Camp Meetings
By R. A. Underwood
The Wyoming meeting was held at Crawford, Nebr. The Wyoming Conference is composed of Wyoming and parts of Nebraska and South Dakota. The Sabbath-keeping constituency is quite largely on the rim of the conference, making it quite difficult to bring together at any central point a large share of its members. There were about one hundred and twenty-five adults in attendance at the Wyoming meeting, and possibly a few more, if we count the ones who went away before the meeting closed. We had an excellent attendance from the city. The meeting was held June 3-13, in the city park, within about three minutes' walk of the center of town—a beautiful and convenient place for a meeting of this kind. The attendance from Crawford and the surrounding community was good. The United States government has a fort and encampment of its soldiers about three miles from Crawford. From time to time a number of the soldiers came to the meeting, and some of them became interested; also a goodly number from the town manifested an interest in what they heard. One soldier, especially, showed a deep interest in the truths that were presented. He expressed his interest sufficiently to state definitely that he should like to attend Union College for a year or two after he is discharged, which will be in June, 1916. He has the gospel ministry in view. He proved his interest by subscribing $50 toward the debt of Union College. He served the United States government as a soldier during the Boxer uprising in China, and was one of the three men that scaled the gates of Peking and opened them for the United States Army, receiving at that time two bullet wounds and a spear thrust through his hand. He has also served in the Philippines and Cuba, and carries a badge of honor from the United States government. This soldier expressed his purpose to follow up what he had heard, by reading and by attending the tent meetings that are to be held by Elders Miller and Sutton at Crawford the present season. Elders C. S. Longacre, J. W. Christian, D. U. Hale, and J. H. McEachern and the writer were the laborers from outside the conference. The book sales were good. The donations of the Sabbath school for the two Sabbaths were $100. Between $1,500 and $2,000 was given in cash and pledges for various enterprises, largely to foreign missions. Elder C. H. Miller baptized fifteen persons at the close of the camp meeting. The brethren were greatly encouraged by the truths presented. Elder Longacre, representing the North American Division of the General Conference, gave timely talks on temperance, religious liberty, and other practical themes. A good impression was made, and we trust that the tent effort that will follow will reap some sheaves. Our next camp meeting was held at Boulder, Colo., June 17-27, on the Chautauqua grounds. These are very beautiful grounds, and made a pleasant place for the camp. The convenience of a dining hall, pavilion, and many cottages greatly lessened the usual labor and expense of preparation for a camp meeting. About one thousand of our brethren and sisters were in attendance. It was stated that nearly eighteen hundred persons were present on the last Sabbath. The meeting was well organized; and the laborers from abroad, as well as those at home, took an active part in the general program. Elders C. S. Longacre, J. H. Schilling, J. H. McEachern, John Isaac, and J. W. Christian, Profs. H. A. Morrison and W. W. Ruble, Dr. P. T. Magan, and the writer were the laborers from abroad. The ten days were occupied in giving important instruction upon the various phases of our work; the evenings were largely devoted to the interest of the public. Dr. P. T. Magan gave a number of talks bearing on the war and the fulfillment of prophecy. The Turkish Eastern Question and the Vatican and the war were among the topics that created the most interest from the outside. Fully three thousand persons listened with unabated interest to the subject of “The Vatican and the War,” by Dr. Magan. On two or three occasions the large pavilion, which seats about 3,500 persons, was filled. There were strong revival meetings held on both Sabbaths, with a goodly number responding. The conference has shown a splendid growth during the past year, about three hundred persons having been baptized, and three or four new churches received into the conference. At the close of the20camp meeting fifteen were baptized, and others were to be baptized at their home churches. Elder A. T. Robinson was reelected president, with but few changes in the general make-up of the officers of the conference. One evening Dr. Green gave an interesting talk with stereopticon views, and rendered other valuable assistance to the campers during the meeting. The Sabbath school offerings were over $600 for the two Sabbaths. The entire offerings to foreign missions, including the Sabbath school offerings, amounted to over $11,000. A strong sentiment for earnest work prevailed during the entire meeting, showing to the world by a living faith that we are rapidly approaching the end of all things. The book sales at the camp meeting amounted to $1,600. A large part of this was for missionary work by the laity in the conference. Brother Westbrook, of the Atlantic Union Conference, owing to the illness of his wife, had been compelled to seek a more favorable climate, and was present to assist in the meetings. It is expected that he will take up work in the Colorado Conference. Brother H. A. Vandeman was ordained to the gospel ministry. The Campion Academy, Union College, and the church school work received proper attention during the meeting. Brother McEachern held daily meetings with the missionary band of earnest workers at the eight o'clock hour, which will doubtless prove a source of great strength to the missionary work of the conference. The meeting was to be followed by a colporteurs' institute. The brethren had feared that, as the meeting was held in the early part of the season, it would have only a small attendance, but in this they were happily disappointed, as the attendance was the largest for years. Our people went home with renewed courage, and a determination to press forward in all lines of the work.