p. 17 | Camp-Meeting Labors by E. W. Farnsworth

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Sep 29, 1904

Camp-Meeting Labors

By E. W. Farnsworth

DURING the past few weeks I have attended a number of camp-meetings, but at most of them have been present only part of the time, and am therefore unprepared to give such complete reports as might be desirable. An account of the business proceedings and other items of interest will no doubt be found in the reports sent by the secretaries of the different conferences, and so I will attempt to write only concerning some of the general features of each meeting.

Texas

This meeting was held at Keene. The camp was pitched on the school grounds, which furnished a beautiful and convenient place. The weather during most of the meeting was delightful. About eight hundred and fifty persons attended this convocation. They came from all parts of the State.

We are glad to report a good meeting in Texas this year. A spirit of union prevailed, notwithstanding many perplexing things came up for consideration. The educational work and the Keene Academy received considerable attention, and the medical work received still more consideration. The brethren were anxious to do that which would be wisest and best for that phase of the work. One of the freest discussions I ever listened to was carried on by the delegates in reference to the medical work. A good spirit and feeling were maintained through it all, and though not all was accomplished that some might have desired, yet it could be seen that progress was made. About one thousand dollars was promised to assist in that work. Dr. Haskell, and his father, Elder C. P. Haskell, have labored the best they could during the past year to build it up, and all were glad to see that considerable improvement had been made. The conference has erected quite a commodious building for a sanitarium. It needs a better equipment, and the money that was raised is to be used for this purpose.

We were sorry to find a disposition on the part of many of the brethren and sisters to move to Keene. I was informed that nearly one half of the church-membership in the conference, and nearly all the ministers, live in Keene. We regard this as an unfavorable omen; and if this policy is continued, it will surely bring calamitous results to the conference. To those who have a clear perception of the nature of our work it is evident that we must work on the opposite plan. We must scatter, not colonize. We must go to all parts of the earth, not locate in one place. Those who adopted that policy in ancient times founded a Babylon, and those who follow their example will reap confusion and loss. To go to all nations is God’s plan. To colonize is the plan of another being who has no love for this closing message. There is no wisdom in our

people gathering in this way. All confess that it is an evil, but continue to do that which they condemn.

Thirty-two were baptized during the camp-meeting. Elder N. P. Nelson was again chosen to act as conference president. Other members of the committee, and officers of different branches of the work, remain nearly the same as last year.

The conference voted to hold four of its laborers subject to the call of the General Conference, and to furnish funds to support them in some needy field. We believe that God will greatly bless in carrying out this resolution.

The tithe in the Texas Conference has increased quite materially the past year. Obligations to the amount of several thousand dollars have been met, and the conference seems to have been quite prosperous in every way.

The one thing needful in Texas, as in all the conferences I have visited, is that the people go to work. Many are “weak and sickly” because of a lack of spiritual exercise. We believe this state of things will change, and may God hasten the day.

Ohio

The camp-meeting in this State was held on the fair ground at Marysville, according to appointment. There was a fair attendance of our own people, and in some of its features it was the best meeting we have yet attended. It was so thoroughly organized that the hurry and confusion so noticeable at many meetings were avoided. There was sufficient time between the services so that the people did not become weary of them. This is an important factor in a good meeting.

Elder A. G. Daniells attended the first part of the meeting, and presented very clearly the duty of this people to give the truth to the whole world. More than seventy persons under forty years of age signified their willingness to go wherever the Lord might call them, or to do anything he might wish them to do. Besides this, the Ohio Conference voted to place at the disposal of the General Conference one half of its laborers and one half its tithe to be used in foreign fields. This recommendation was unanimously passed by a rising vote of the congregation. We feel sure this action will mark the beginning of a new era in the work in Ohio. Before the camp-meeting closed, there were those who made definite plans in reference to going to India and other fields outside of the United States. There should be scores who should go from Ohio to all parts of the world carrying the light God has given them.

The educational and young people’s work received due attention. The meetings of the conference were harmonious, and the brethren were united in all the measures adopted. Elder H. H. Burkholder was again elected president, and there was but little change in the officers chosen for the coming year. The financial report was an encouraging one. There is a debt on the Mount Vernon Academy of about five thousand dollars, but we are confident that the brethren will soon raise this, and provide additional funds for needed repairs on the building. The school is an important factor in the work of the Ohio Conference, and it is there that workers must be trained both for home and for foreign fields. We see no reason why the cause in Ohio should not make marked advancement the coming year.

The outside attendance at the camp-meeting was not large, but it was thought there was sufficient interest to warrant a tent effort in the city, and it was advertised that this would follow.

Indiana

The Indiana camp-meeting was held at Martinsville, a city about thirty miles from Indianapolis. The camp was located where the people could reach it without difficulty, it being within five minutes’ walk of the business part of the town. There were one hundred and fifteen tents pitched, and about five hundred of our people in attendance. Quite a number rented rooms in the city, and the people manifested great kindness in entertaining them, even expressing regret when the time came for them to leave. The associations thus formed resulted in many becoming interested in the truth.

During the first part of the meeting a storm came, and most of the tents on the encampment were blown down, but they were soon erected again, but little damage being done.

Elders A. G. Daniells and W. W. Prescott were present the first part of the meeting. After the clear presentation by Elder Daniells of the needs in foreign fields, a resolution was unanimously adopted to hold one half of the laborers and one half of the tithe of the Indiana Conference subject to the call of the General Conference during the coming year.

Elder W. J. Stone was again elected president of the conference, and but few changes were made in the executive committee. The treasurer’s report showed that a debt of four thousand dollars had been canceled the past year, and that the tithe paid has increased about five hundred dollars. At this meeting about five hundred dollars was pledged to the school at Boggstown, and the brethren will doubtless lift the debt of five thousand dollars on that institution during the year. This can be done if they will.

Considerable attention was given to the canvassing work, and it is expected that the force of workers will be largely increased. The State was divided into four districts, and a secretary appointed to take charge of this work in each. Special attention was given to the educational and young people’s work. The Sabbath-school donations for two Sabbaths amounted to over thirty dollars, which was given to the work in Africa. Thirty-seven persons were baptized.

There were some very interesting features connected with the camp-meeting in Indiana: (1) it was located in a new place where such meetings had never been held; (2) its location made it accessible from all parts of the city; (3) it was used as a means of interesting the people in the truths of the third angel’s message; (4) a daily paper of four pages was issued, containing reports of the sermons preached; and each day our brethren and sisters went with these papers to the homes of the people, giving them personal invitations to attend the meetings. This was a great blessing to our brethren, as well as to those residing in Martinsville, and this personal effort resulted in a large outside interest being awakened. Not only did people in the city attend the meetings, but we learned of some who came four or five miles evening after evening, saying they could not afford to remain away. It was an inspiration to see the large congregations which more than filled the large tent each evening.

The subjects of discourse were the main points of our faith,—the coming of the Lord, the signs of the times, the Sabbath, and kindred truths. There was the best of order, and the people listened with the greatest respect and interest.

At the close of the regular camp-meeting quite a force of workers remained to follow up the interest, and we see no reason why a strong church should not be raised up in Martinsville. We sincerely hope that our brethren in charge of the work in all our conferences will profit by the example of the brethren in Indiana, and that they will carefully study and heed the instruction the Lord has given concerning the manner of conducting camp-meetings, in “Testimonies for the Church,” Volume VI. This instruction is clear and definite. We do well to heed it. We were glad to see the brethren in Indiana carry it out so fully, and God blessed them greatly in doing so.

Northern Michigan

At the close of the Indiana camp-meeting I attended the first part of the meeting of the North Michigan Conference, which was held at Mancelona. These few days were really enjoyable. The camp was thoroughly organized, the weather was delightful, and the people were of good courage. The business of the conference was harmoniously transacted. The officers elected were about the same as last year, Elder Wight being retained as president.

The finances of the conference have greatly improved during the year just closed. Every enterprise that came before the brethren for action was entered upon with alacrity and zeal. The attendance from without was not large, but some became interested. We were glad to find that the brethren in North Michigan had no institutions to support, and better still, they did not seem to want any, and hence all their time, their energy, and strength were devoted to the promulgation of the truth in new fields. This is the one feature of our work which gives complete satisfaction, and no worry or perplexity. We greatly enjoyed the part of the meeting we were permitted to attend, but being obliged to leave before it was half concluded, we are unable to report definitely as to the final results.

Wisconsin

We were glad indeed to meet many former acquaintances at the Wisconsin meeting, which was held at Oshkosh. The camp was located near the shore of beautiful Lake Winnebago, on the same ground as last year. The attendance was not large, either of our own people or of those from the city. There were about seven hundred of the former, and very few of the latter. I was unable to reach the meeting till its closing days, and so the business was about completed, and the routine work done. The meeting

had been rather uneventful. But few changes were made in the election of conference officers. As there was but little interest in the city, the brethren labored for those encamped on the ground. Forty-eight were baptized during the meeting.

The brethren in Wisconsin manifested a practical interest in certain phases of the foreign mission work. Sister Ida Thompson, who is engaged in teaching a mission school in China, is from Wisconsin, and the brethren and sisters gave liberally for its support. Other phases of missionary work also received liberal consideration. We did not learn the particulars, and so must leave that for those to report who are able to give the details. We will only say that we found the brethren and sisters in Wisconsin not only willing, but anxious to support every advance move for the extension of the work in new fields. Every time this part of the work was referred to, a ready response was made.

Brother R. T. Dowsett and Brother Sufficool were ordained to the work of the ministry. God graciously blessed in all the meetings that were held while I was present, and the word was spoken with great freedom and liberty. I greatly enjoyed my labors with Elder William Covert, who has labored here so long for the upbuilding of the work. The great need in Wisconsin, as elsewhere, is a consecration to the work of the Lord, a dedication of ourselves and our all to his service.

E. W. FARNSWORTH.