Upper Columbia Conference by John Norton Loughborough

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 19, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 12.

Upper Columbia Conference.

By John Norton Loughborough

SINCE writing my last report I have spent one month in this Conference. During that time I have held meetings in Walla Walla, Milton, Echo, Foster, and Barnhart Gulch. These meetings were well attended by our people, and at most points we had a good outside interest. Our last meeting, at Walla Walla, was a very important one, being a council of some of our leading brethren in this Conference, to devise ways and means to advance the cause of truth, and to arrange for our coming camp-meeting.

It was decided to hold the camp-meeting at Milton, Oregon, in the grove owned by Brother William Nichols. The time fixed upon is one week, commencing June 3, and ending June 10. This shortens the time of the camp-meeting, but it has been suggested by the General Conference Committee to hold a Biblical Institute, for all who can attend, to commence ten days before and continue up to the time of the camp-meeting. It is expected that Elder E. J. Waggoner, of the Healdsburg College, will conduct this Institute. Let all who possibly can attend, lay their plans to come to the Institute and stay till the close of the camp-meeting. It is expected that the Institute will commence on first-day, May 23, and continue to June 3.

This will be a rare opportunity for the study of Bible truth. We hope to see many representatives from our churches during the Institute, and to have a grand rally of all our people to the camp-meeting. It is none too early now for all to commence preparations to attend the camp-meeting, and then plan and so execute that all may attend. Pray the Lord to open your way as you work towards the point of attending the meeting. We shall expect to see all there who thus plan and labor for the meeting.

Brother Decker, who had just arrivyd from Wisconsin, was with us in our council, March 1. After spending about two weeks with me among the churches, it is his design to enter some new place, and, if possible, raise up a company before the camp-meeting. Our brethren and sisters are of good cheer as they see tokens of advancement in this Conference. Though the effects of the hard times are felt here as they are in all other parts of the country, we believe our friends will cheerfully do all they can to meet the expenses of the laborers in this Conference. Let all labor to this end, in our preparation to come to the camp-meeting.

Elder Colcord has just returned to Walla Walla from his labors above the Snake River, and is preparing to go to the State of Nevada, as he was invited to do by the General Conference, and the California Conference. Brother Decker and myself start to-morrow for Dayton and Pataha, and the Palouse country.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.