IOWA CAMP-MEETING by L. A. Hoopes

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 17, 1900

IOWA CAMP-MEETING.

By L. A. Hoopes

THE annual Conference was held in connection with the camp-meeting at Ames, Iowa, May 31 to June 10. The gathering was small for Iowa. After the meeting had been appointed, and the tents pitched, a number of smallpox cases developed in the city. The camp was under quarantine during one day of the workers’ meeting. The churches and public buildings were under quarantine for about a week, and the board of health earnestly requested that our meetings be not advertised in the city. During the whole of the workers’ meeting there were very few of the citizens present; but the quarantine seemed to arouse their interest to come to our meetings as soon as the quarantine was raised.

Reports of the smallpox were circulated all over the State, in the newspapers. Telegrams were received from various sections of the Conference, asking if it was safe to come to the camp-meeting. We therefore concluded that many were thereby kept away.

Notwithstanding the smallpox, the meetings of the workers were blessed of the Lord. Every indication showed that the Lord was ready to bless his people. His leadings were very manifest.

An encouraging feature of the business of the Conference was that plans were laid to utilize every available talent, in the Lord’s vineyard. Enthusiastic meetings were held with the canvassers and those who are contemplating engaging in that work.

Plans were devised to work especially with the churches, to see if many more can not be enlisted in missionary effort, by way of canvassing, distributing our literature, and by house-to-house visitation.

The church-school work received some attention; and steps were taken to hold an institute for those who contemplate teaching in church schools.

A resolution was passed requesting Union College to give more attention to the training of workers for the various branches of the Lord’s work.

The sanitarium enterprise was considered at length. Resolutions were passed empowering the management to do a large amount of charity work.

Prof. P. T. Magan was present to lay before the Iowa brethren the plan suggested by Sister E. G. White, whereby the debts on our educational institutions may be lifted. The Special Testimony bearing upon this subject was read, and the brethren took hold of the enterprise with a hearty good-will. Although the meeting was small, there were more than a thousand books sold, and several hundred dollars was received in pledges.

Some time was given to the Sabbath-school, foreign mission, and religious liberty work. The Conference indorsed the plan of the Foreign Mission Board, recommending that each person lay aside ten cents or more each week, to be used by the Foreign Mission Board to establish and maintain missions in the regions beyond.

The laborers present from outside the Conference were as follows: J. H. Morrison, P. T. Magan, L. Johnson, and the writer, of the General Conference; Professors Bland, Wilkinson, and Boettcher, of Union College; and Brother Thorp, the editor of the Danish paper.

The president’s report showed that there were over two hundred accessions to the faith the last year.

During the meetings the weather was fine, and the physical condition of the campers seemed good.

Revival work was carried on from the first. On the last Sabbath twenty-six persons followed their Lord in baptism.

The Conference Committee was increased to seven, so that responsibilities could be placed on some of the young men, and thereby develop them by an experience in every phase of Conference work.

At the close of the Sabbath afternoon service, Brother N. C. Bergersen was ordained to the gospel ministry, Elder Morrison giving the charge.

Iowa has a large number of stirring young people, who we hope at no very distant day will be occupying responsible positions in the work of the Lord.

L. A. HOOPES.