PACIFIC COAST CAMP-MEETINGS by John Norton Loughborough

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 17, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 23.

PACIFIC COAST CAMP-MEETINGS.

By John Norton Loughborough

AFTER four years' absence from Oregon and Washington Territory, it was my privilege to attend the annual camp-meetings that have just been held in that field. The first of these meetings was in the North Pacific Conference, which comprises that part of Oregon and Washington Territory lying west of the Cascade Range of mountains. The camp was in East Portland, Oregon, on the same ground as last year, and the meeting was held, as appointed, from May 14 to 21.

This was the largest camp-meeting ever held by our people in this Conference. There were 106 tents and 527 campers. Brethren E. P. Daniels and Roderick S. Owen accompanied me to assist in the preaching and other services, and Brother C. E. Leland to give instruction in the canvassing work. These, with the ministers of the Conference mentioned in the business report in this paper, constituted the working force of the camp-meeting. At the request of the home laborers, the preaching services were conducted by those coming from California. The services were mostly of a practical character; the work of heart searching and consecration to God commenced with the very commencement of the meeting, and continued to the close. The work of confession, restitution, paying of past pledges and vows, was followed by sweet peace in believing, and joy in the Holy Ghost, and the voice of praise that went up to God from the camp showed that the good Lord had met with his people in mighty power.

Between forty and fifty new converts were baptized

on the last day of the meeting. There were two German services held each day in a tent erected for that purpose. These services were conducted by Brethren Jorg and Scheiper, and they also had converts of that nationality as the fruit of their labors.

The first five days of the meeting were quite rainy, but not a word of murmuring or complaint was heard in the camp on account of the weather.

All the business of the different societies and Conference moved off harmoniously, and with dispatch, showing that the people had a mind to the work; and the reports of progress gave evidence of a marked growth, especially during the last year. The report on the tithes showed that the increase during the last year was about two thousand dollars, a sum one-fourth greater than the whole tithe of the Conference four years ago. This result is not entirely from an increase in numbers, but from increased faithfulness in the payment of an honest tithe.

By the organization of new Sabbath-schools, and the establishment of family schools during the past year, the number of schools in the North Pacific Conference was increased from twenty-nine to fifty-one, and there was an increase of two hundred in the membership of the school. Brother Owen gave, during the meeting, considerable attention to the Sabbath-school work and meetings for the youth and children, which were highly appreciated by all.

The East Portland Academy, as appeared from the reports given, has proved a success, it having been patronized the past year above the most sanguine expectations of our people. A due appreciation of this branch of the work was shown by our people, who pledged $5,306, for enlarging the facilities of the academy. A legal society was also formed for holding the school property and managing the finances of the school.

It was much to the regret of our brethren and sisters that Brother Samuel Fulton, in consequence of feebleness of health, was obliged to lay aside the burden of the Conference work. It seemed to be imperative that he should do so. The prayers of the brethren and sisters follow him as he retires to seek rest and health.

At the closing meeting, on the morning of May 21, Brother G. W. Davis and Brother Isaac Morrison were set apart to the work of the gospel ministry, by prayer and the laying on of hands. As the camp broke up, our people left the grounds full of hope and good cheer, and the laborers enter into the work with greater courage than ever. As they go to their respective tasks in the name and strength of the Lord, we shall expect to see more marked results of their efforts than have yet been seen in that Conference, "knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." They are planning to use four tents this season in the North Pacific Conference.