The East Michigan Camp-Meeting
By R. A. Underwood
THE first East Michigan camp-meeting and conference was held at Flint, Mich., August 18-27. The meeting was held in a nice grove about one and a half miles from the city. Our brethren in Michigan have been used to very large camp-meetings in the past. Owing to the division of the former conference into three parts, the brethren had looked forward to this first camp-meeting and conference since the division with considerable interest as to its results and the general effect upon those who attended. Some were fearful that so small a meeting of our people would be discouraging; but so far as I could learn, no such feeling existed among the brethren. Many said that it was the best camp-meeting they had ever attended in Michigan. The meeting was quite largely conducted by the local ministry. Elder I. H. Evans was present two or three days, and the writer was present during the larger part of the meeting. The meeting was too far from town to secure a large attendance of those not of our faith. However, some became much interested in the truths, and requests were made that the meetings be continued in town after the camp-meeting closed. The school work and other branches of the cause received considerable attention. About one thousand dollars was raised in pledges and cash donations for various branches of the work during the meeting. The real conference meetings, which touched in a practical way various branches of the work of the conference, were held during the last two days of the meeting. Many of our people had returned home before these matters were considered. This left but a small number to transact the business of the conference, and to consider important matters that affect the prosperity of the whole conference. It was necessary that I leave for my next appointment before the conference closed, therefore others will report that feature of the meeting. This was my first experience in laboring with the larger number of the workers in the East Michigan Conference. My acquaintance with these workers was very pleasant. If all unitedly press the whole message, especially into those places where the truth has not yet been established, new life, courage, and power will come to all the churches. The conference report showed a membership of sixty churches, and over one thousand nine hundred Sabbath-keepers. There were thirteen or more church schools conducted last year. Most of these were reported to be a success. A State fund was started at the camp-meeting to assist the various church schools. May God greatly bless the labors of this conference, and give those in charge of the work the spirit of Caleb and Joshua to move on to a glorious victory with increasing power and courage; for soon our God will come. R. A. UNDERWOOD.