Western Oregon Camp Meeting by C. S. Longacre

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 25, 1914

Western Oregon Camp Meeting

By C. S. Longacre

THE Western Oregon camp meeting was held at Forest Grove, May 21-31. The camp was located in one of the most beautiful fir tree groves in the State of Oregon. The weather was ideal. There were about twelve hundred campers on the grounds. On Sabbaths and Sundays about two thousand people were present. An excellent interest was developed in the town of Forest Grove, and a tent effort will follow the camp meeting to bind it off.

The Lord came very near to his people and blessed greatly in the meetings. Stirring revival services were held each Sabbath. At the last Sabbath service about two hundred came forward to

seek the Lord for the forgiveness of their sins and for a new baptism of his Spirit for service. More than a score of back-sliders were reclaimed. Some had been in a backslidden condition for more than twenty years. They stated that the Lord impressed them to come to the camp meeting. This is one of the evidences that the Lord's work is rapidly closing.

A large number of young people were present, and the Lord worked mightily among them. Elders Howe and St. John were in charge of this branch of the work. Many took their stand for the truth for the first time. Some interested ones accepted the Sabbath during the camp meeting. On the last Sunday of the meeting fifty-three were baptized.

A good missionary spirit was manifest. More than $750 was raised in cash and $682 in pledges for foreign missions. Besides this, a considerable amount of jewelry was surrendered for this work. About $200 was given in cash for the local expenses. The bookstand sold $184 worth of the Berean Library sets at one meeting. At another meeting $85 worth of tracts was sold for free distribution. Between $700 and $800 worth of other literature was sold from the bookstand during the camp meeting. The total amount of tithe paid by the conference during 1913 was over $33,000.

A number of ministers from other conferences were present during a portion of the meetings. Elder H. W. Cottrell was unanimously reelected president for another year, and all other officers were reelected, with the exception of a few changes in the conference executive committee. An excellent spirit of courage and enthusiasm seemed to characterize the whole encampment. A determination to work for souls and to finish the work took possession of nearly every one.

There are two questions which are stirring the whole State of Oregon at the present time,—the State-wide prohibition, and the invoking of the referendum upon the Sunday laws of the State. Our people are planning to take advantage of these great issues and place themselves favorably on record on prohibition, and at the same time oppose the Sunday laws by presenting the true principles of religious liberty.

Over two hundred new Sabbath keepers were reported by the conference workers as the result of last year's work. Most of these were reported by the workers in the city of Portland. Each member is determined to bring at least one soul into the truth the coming year.

Our prayer is that this determination may be realized, and that God's rich blessing may attend every faithful effort.

C. S. LONGACRE.