New Jersey Camp-Meeting by R. T. Dowsett

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 8, 1912

New Jersey Camp-Meeting

By R. T. Dowsett

The New Jersey camp-meeting and conference for 1912 is now in the past, but its influence, blessings, and joys will long remain in the hearts of those present. The one regret was that all the believers in New Jersey were not present. However, the attendance was splendid.

The camp was located very pleasantly, a little to the south of the city of Plainfield. This place is noted as the headquarters of the Seventh-day Baptist denomination.

The conference meetings were Spirit-filled gatherings, and will bear fruit during the year to come. Three churches, with a combined membership of forty, were admitted into the conference. Success has attended the labors of the conference workers. The literature sales during 1911 amounted to $6,000; but the sales for 1912, thus far, record a valuation of $5,000.

The Sabbath services were special seasons of refreshing. The Lord blessed the labors of Elders B. G. Wilkinson and R. A. Underwood, who led these services. Some persons surrendered for the first time, while all in the camp consecrated themselves anew. During the afternoon service of the second Sabbath of the meeting, brethren and sisters representing thirteen nationalities took part. The State of New Jersey in itself is a great foreign field. Over 650,000 of the inhabitants are foreign born, and 750,000 additional are of foreign parentage. As the voices of the Danes, Norwegians, Scandinavians, Poles, Slavs, Bohemians, Hollanders, Welsh, Germans, and others of a foreign tongue mingled with the English, songs of rejoicing ascended from the camp. When we consider the characteristics of the various nationalities as well as the different dispositions, and then see the message shaping a character for each which blends so harmoniously, it is marvelous.

The contributions in cash and pledges for home and foreign work amounted to $1,625. Elder A. R. Sandborn was re-elected president of the conference. The brethren associated with him on the committee are Elders W. H. Smith and J. G. Hanhardt, and Brethren H. J. Adams and J. M. Gaff. Brother W. B. Walters continues his work as secretary and treasurer. The educational work will be looked after by Mrs. A. E. Rambo, while H. A. May has the young people's work, and G. E. Grey the book work.

Six tent efforts will be conducted this season. Three of these efforts follow the camp-meeting at Plainfield. The foreign interest will receive its share of labor.

Eighteen were baptized at the camp, while others will receive this rite as soon as they return to their home church.

Elders R. A. Underwood, F. M. Wilcox, B. G. Wilkinson, A. J. Haysmer, N. S. Ashton, S. M. Butler, Dr. H. C. Menkel, and the writer were the laborers present from outside the conference, who, with the local ministers, labored for those encamped. Elder J. E. Jayne, formerly a laborer in New Jersey, felt it a duty and a privilege to spend the last Sabbath and Sunday with us. His visit was a blessing to himself as well as to the brethren and sisters of the conference.

The New Jersey Conference, while small in territory, is great in volume, and to properly warn her great cities and take the message to the thickly populated rural districts, reaching the various nationalities, is a big problem; but the definite work of the meeting was a new inspiration for worker and lay member to labor with greater activity.

R. T. DOWSETT.