North Missouri Camp-Meeting
By A. T. Robinson
THE North Missouri camp-meeting was held in the City Park at Hamilton, Mo., August 29 to September 8. The writer reached the ground the evening after the first Sabbath, and found a strong temperance program being rendered in the large tent, on which occasion Dr. G. A. Droll delivered a temperance address which was illustrated by stereopticon. The attendance of our own people was fairly good throughout the meeting, some leaving after the first few days, and their places being filled by others who came for the latter part. Thus a good portion of our people in the conference shared the blessings of the camp-meeting. There were three public services held each day, the evening services being quite well attended by the people of the town. The business of the conference, which passed off with the utmost harmony, occupied the nine-o'clock hour each day. An early morning devotional service was held, and meetings for the young people and the children were conducted at regular hours each day. The number in attendance who had not yielded their hearts to the Lord was comparatively small, and most of them surrendered during the meeting. On the closing day six young people were buried with their Lord in baptism. The writer occupied the eleven o'clock hour each day in a series of Bible studies. Many expressed themselves as having received much help through a knowledge of the way to live successful Christian lives, as taught in the Scriptures. The afternoon services, which were quite largely in the nature of revival meetings, proved a great help to our people, many of whom enjoy few religious privileges during the year between camp-meeting seasons. The evening discourses were planned largely for the benefit of the public. The laborers present during portions of the meeting, besides the conference workers, were Elders Chas. and G. B. Thompson, W. A. Spicer, E. E. Farnsworth, and the writer. Brother S. N. Curtiss, of the Kansas City Branch of the Pacific Press, was also present during the early part of the meeting. The earnest labors of these visiting brethren were much appreciated. Some changes were made in the personnel of the conference officers. Elder A. R. Ogden, who had carried the responsibility of the conference presidency for four years, had accepted the presidency of the Iowa Conference. The delegates and our people present deeply regretted the loss of Elder Ogden, but they were highly gratified that they were successful in securing the services of Elder E. E. Farnsworth, who responded to a call by telegram from the Southwestern Union Conference, and was present during the last two days of the meeting, having been elected president of the conference before he arrived. Elder Farnsworth attended the North Missouri camp-meeting two years ago in the interest of the young people's work, and he was welcomed to the position to which he had been chosen. The conference has prospered under Elder Ogden's administration, and a strong spirit of harmony and good-fellowship prevails. Among the important measures brought before the conference in the form of recommendations, which called forth earnest discussion and which were unanimously adopted, were the following:— "Whereas, This ever-expanding world-wide movement has assumed proportions demanding an expenditure equal to fifteen cents a week a member of the entire membership of this denomination, be it— "Resolved, That we cheerfully accept this responsibility as a sacred obligation, and that we earnestly endeavor to make our individual weekly offerings not less than fifteen cents. "Whereas, The plan of carrying forward18an annual Harvest Ingathering campaign has proved a great blessing to those who have engaged therein, and has been a fruitful source of financial strength to the work in the needy mission fields, be it therefore— "Resolved, That we take hold of this movement this year with renewed zeal and energy, improving it as an opportunity for placing the truth in the hands of the people in the home land, and providing means for extending the work in the regions beyond." Other resolutions were passed, which recognized God's care over the work and workers during the past year, the importance of the canvassing work, and the obligation to help carry the financial burdens of Union College; set forth plans for handling the remainder of the old General Conference Association indebtedness which was assumed by the Central Union Conference at the time of its organization; emphasized the importance of the Sabbath-school work; and expressed appreciation of the faithful services of Elder and Mrs. Ogden in building up the work of the conference and the Sabbath-schools. The following are the new conference officers: President, Elder E. E. Farnsworth; secretary and treasurer of conference and tract society, Miss Allie Guthrie; executive committee, E. E. Farnsworth, C. J. Kunkle, V. Nutter, A. F. French, S. N. Curtiss; religious liberty secretary, J. C. Bradley; Sabbath-school secretary, Mrs. E. E. Farnsworth; corresponding secretary of educational and young people's departments, T. J. Roach; medical missionary secretary, Dr. G. A. Droll. Ministerial credentials were granted to E. E. Farnsworth, J. W. Beams, A. F. French, V. Nutter, J. M. Campbell, C. J. Kunkle; ministerial licenses to E. W. Swap, T. J. Roach, J. C. Bradley; and missionary licenses to Miss Allie Guthrie, Mrs. E. E. Farnsworth, Wm. Whorton, H. E. Darby, Lillian Lickey, W. H. Turner, Mrs. W. H. Turner. A. T. ROBINSON.