Northern Illinois Conference and Camp-Meeting by G. E. Langdon

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 23, 1913

Northern Illinois Conference and Camp-Meeting

By G. E. Langdon

Although our conference was held last February, only six months previous, yet it was thought best by some to hold a conference again at this meeting, August 28 to September 8.

The camp was pitched in a delightful grove called Allen Park, in Ottawa. The Business Men's Association secured the grounds, electric lighting, and city water for us, bearing all expense. We greatly appreciate their liberality.

There were about four hundred in attendance, and about one hundred tents were pitched. There was a fair attendance from the city during the meetings. The last Sunday night the large tent was more than filled. Twenty persons were baptized, most of whom were young people. One church of seventy-five members was admitted into the conference.

The service of the laborers from abroad was well received, although no one laborer was with us all through the meetings, some only one day. Elders I. H. Evans, O. A. Olsen, Allen Moon, C. S. Longacre, W. H. Thurston, G. W. Casebeer, S. M. Konigmacher, W. W. Eastman, and K. C. Russell, Profs. M. E. Kern and O. J. Graf, Brethren I. A. Ford and J. W. Mace, and Sister Matilda Erickson were the laborers.

One afternoon was given to colporteur work and instruction, under the direction of I. A. Ford, J. B. Blosser, and J. A. Applegate; one to educational and young people's work, arranged by M. E. Kern, O. J. Graf, J. B. Clymer, Matilda Erickson, and Edith Shepard. Thursday afternoon was devoted to a temperance rally. An interesting program was conducted by Dr. Mabel Otis, in which the leaders of the W. C. T. U. and others participated.

The sales from books, tracts, and periodicals amounted to $600. Over $750 was raised for missions, and 7,600 copies of the Harvest Ingathering REVIEW were ordered.

Encouraging reports were given by the laborers in the home field, in evangelical work. Dr. F. J. Otis and Brother W. C. Foreman reported progress in the sanitarium at Moline. Prof. J. B. Clymer gave a good report of the Fox River Academy, showing that although the number of students was small last year, yet the operating department ran behind only two hundred dollars. The outlook for this year is very encouraging, in all lines. The tithes and offerings are in advance of last year at this time. A good spirit prevailed throughout the conference. "I have enjoyed these beautiful grounds and this good camp-meeting," was heard from many lips.

The following officers were unanimously elected: G. E. Langdon, president; H. E. Moon, secretary and treasurer; J. A. Applegate, field secretary of tract society; other members of the executive committee, Allen Moon, P. E. Broderson, J. B. Clymer, and W. C. Foreman.

Several resolutions were discussed and passed relative to the advancement of the Lord's work. The object of one of these resolutions is to give financial help to the academy and to raise a tent and camp-meeting fund, the plan being that the members of our conference pay to the conference two per cent of their earnings (outside of the tithes). This will save raising money at camp and general meetings for home work. It is hoped that every church-member will adopt this plan.

The closing testimonies were filled with courage, and with confidence in the ultimate triumph of this great message and a strong determination to stand in the last day in the strength of the Lord.

G. E. LANGDON.