The East Kansas Camp-Meeting
By A. T. Robinson
THE camp-meeting of the East Kansas Conference was held, according to appointment, in one of the parks of the city of Ottawa, Kans. The park lies within a few minutes' walk of the Santa Fe depot and also of the business center of the city. The portion of the park where the camp was located is covered with large elm-, hickory-, and walnut-trees, making it a restful and in every way an ideal place for camping. The main public services were held in a large tabernacle, while two other buildings were used for youth's and children's meetings. Besides the full corps of conference laborers, there were present, Elders E. T. Russell and W. W. Eastman, Prof. M. B. Van Kirk, and the writer. Elder Russell and Professor Van Kirk left before the close for the West Kansas meeting and Elder Eastman left for the Iowa meeting. The places of these three laborers were filled by the arrival of Elder W. T. Knox, and Profs. Frederick Griggs and M. E. Kern. A revival service was conducted by Professor Van Kirk at the morning service on the first Sabbath, at which thirteen, mostly young people, responded by giving their hearts to God for the first time. The call being extended, almost the entire congregation pressed toward the front of the tabernacle, as an expression of their desire and purpose to reconsecrate their lives for service in the finishing of the work of this message. The preaching and Bible studies were both practical and doctrinal, and seemed to meet with a hearty response on the part of the people. One hour each day alternated between Bible study and the question box hour. No meetings were more fully attended or of greater interest than were those devoted to the answering of questions. Much valuable instruction was brought out through the question box, on points upon which different ones especially needed help. Elder W. F. Kennedy, who has served the conference as president during the past two years, stated that he was unable to continue in that position, and Elder W. H. Clark, one of the local ministers, was unanimously chosen president of the conference. A few other changes were made in the officers. There was a liberal response on the part of the people to the call for means for various enterprises, especially for foreign missions, $1,527 being raised. Brother S. J. Abegg, of the Pacific Press, was present during the entire meeting, and united with the State agent, M. P. Manny, to work in the interests of our denominational literature. Judging from the armfuls of books and magazines carried out of the tabernacle on several occasions, their efforts were successful. The personal testimonies borne by the canvassers, at a meeting held for this purpose, were indeed inspiring. The medical work was ably presented in addresses by Dr. L. L. Jones, of Wichita, and Dr. Christmann, of Parsons, Kans. President Griggs, of Union College, in two stirring addresses, set forth the principles that underlie Christian education. Professor Kern gave a talk concerning the work of the Foreign Mission Seminary, and its relation to the work in foreign fields. In other addresses, Professor Kern emphasized the sacred responsibility resting upon this people to give the closing gospel message to the world in this generation. While the good Spirit of the Lord was present and witnessed to the words spoken all through the meetings, the best was reserved till near the end of the feast. On the afternoon of the last Sabbath, at the close of an earnest, practical talk by Professor Kern, there was a move on the part of a large number of young people for complete surrender of their lives to God. Forty-three followed their Lord in baptism. This ceremony took place in the Baptist church, which was kindly offered for that purpose. If the army of young people who at this camp-meeting surrendered their hearts to God for the first time, or renewed their consecration to him, will keep their lives on the altar of sacrifice, there will be a new impetus given to the missionary spirit and to the work in the East Kansas Conference. The service at the early morning hour on the closing day of the gathering was one that will long be remembered. Brethren J. W. Allison and A. B. Campbell were set apart to the work of the gospel ministry by prayer and laying on of hands. Elder W. F. Kennedy offered the ordination prayer, the charge and welcome being given by the writer. The Spirit of the Lord was present and witnessed to this solemn ceremony.