The Dover (Oklahoma) Camp Meeting
By S. H. Lane
This meeting was held Aug. 21–31, 1902, in a beautiful grove about half a mile from Dover, a village of eight hundred inhabitants. Our people turned out well, there being about seven hundred camped on the ground. The meeting was an enthusiastic one. Every branch of our work was fully considered. The attendance of those not of our faith was good, and they became much interested. Two accepted the truth, and an excellent impression was made. The Oklahoma Conference has been foremost in the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” A few months ago the members of the various churches purchased their quota of books, agreeing to pay for them individually; or in other words, they donated the price of the books for the relief of the schools. All through the conference many have sold their books, and some have sold the books of others. The effort in these sales has given all who have engaged in the work a wonderful experience, and filled many with enthusiasm, which has impelled19them to engage in the sale of other of our works. The sales of these other books amounted to about fifteen thousand dollars, or three times more than for the preceding year. The sale of books, including “Christ’s Object Lessons,” amounted to twenty-one thousand dollars. About fifty left the campground to canvass, and fully as many more volunteered to canvass in their neighborhoods as far as time and opportunity will permit. One hour was spent each day in the recital of experiences in the sale of our books, especially of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” These meetings were so interesting that at times it was difficult to close them. It was good to attend them. There are several German churches in the Territory. They were well represented at the meeting, there being fully two hundred and fifty of their members camped on the ground. Several were held in their language in a large pavilion pitched especially for that purpose. They seemed to be fully alive in the work, and enjoyed many spiritual feasts. Elders Shultz, Riffel, and Miller were the German laborers among them from other States. The general laborers among the English were Elders G. G. Rupert and A. E. Field, and the writer. The entire meeting could properly be termed a missionary camp meeting. The Germans donated one hundred dollars in money to aid the training school in Germany. The contribution for the mission work in the first Sabbath school was about thirty dollars; the last Sabbath one hundred dollars was donated. The Germans in both instances gave fully two thirds of the amount. There was raised fully one hundred and fifty dollars in pledges and money on the Missionary Acre Fund, an equal amount for missionary work among the Spanish-speaking people in the Southwestern Union Conference, and a similar amount for the Tent Fund. It was with difficulty we held a social meeting, as so many would be standing at once. We often divided the camp in order to give all an opportunity to speak. The testimonies were short, earnest, and fervent. The business meetings were harmoniously conducted. Elder G. H. Haffner was re-elected president of the Conference. The tithe increased about three thousand dollars during the past year. There was an increase in annual and Sabbath-school offerings. Three churches were added to the conference. The revival efforts were greatly blessed. Fully one hundred and fifty came forward for prayers the last Sabbath. Quite a number of the young were converted. Thirty were baptized, eighteen of whom were Germans. When the meeting closed, and the campers departed for different parts of the Territory, some by train, and others in well-loaded covered wagons, many did so with praise on their lips, with hearts softened by the Spirit of the Lord, declaring it to be one of the best meetings they ever attended in Oklahoma.