Ellen G. White: The Later Elmshaven Years: 1905-1915 (vol. 6)

Camp Meetings

Camp meeting season opened early in California, with the first of five meetings held May 1-10 in the central part of the State at Lodi. The attendance was not large, for the Adventist population in this farming area was somewhat limited. The 150 members of the Lodi church formed the nucleus for the meeting; about seventy-five people camped on the grounds. The Pacific Union Recorder, on its back page just before the meeting, carried an attendance-getting item under the heading “Special Camp Meeting Notice“: “Word just received from Elder Haskell is to the effect that Mrs. E. G. White will be at the Lodi camp meeting during the entire time.”—April 30, 1908. She was, and she spoke six times. 6BIO 168.4

Pioneer evangelist, missionary, and executive J. N. Loughborough was the first to order a tent for the camp meeting. He reported later that “in many respects this was one of the best camp meetings I ever attended in California.”—The Review and Herald, June 4, 1908. Ellen White was particularly pleased with the “good outside interest” (Letter 146, 1908). 6BIO 169.1

To Elder A. J. Bordeau, who had worked in Europe, one event stood out as he made his report in the Review and Herald: 6BIO 169.2

One touching incident at one of the meetings was the testimony borne by a Swiss brother, who testified to the uplifting influence and power of Sister White's message to him many years ago in Switzerland, when he was a little bootblack. He had not seen her for many years, and with tears in his eyes, he witnessed to the truth of her message, imploring all the youth present to heed it, even as he had done when a boy. He is now a consecrated Christian, the father of a large family, and lives in this State.—July 16, 1908. 6BIO 169.3

The Oakland camp meeting, with about 200 family tents on the ground, was held June 4-14. It was reported to have been “large and profitable” (The Review and Herald, June 18, 1908) with Ellen White speaking six times “with as great clearness and power as in early times” (Ibid., July 9, 1908). 6BIO 169.4

Delegates from the churches took up the matter of moving the school at Healdsburg and gave full endorsement to steps being taken. Search for a suitable site was undertaken in earnest. 6BIO 169.5

Two months later Ellen White attended the Los Angeles camp meeting from August 6 to 16, even though the long, hot summer had left her somewhat debilitated and wondering whether she should go. 6BIO 169.6

Plans announced in June for this meeting listed Ellen White's name first as one of “a strong corps of workers from abroad” (Pacific Union Recorder, June 18, 1908). Early in the week of the planned journey south she explained her feelings: 6BIO 169.7

For some reasons I have dreaded this journey to Los Angeles. Yet I am glad the people there will have another opportunity of hearing the message of warning. The end of time is rapidly drawing near.... Yet to many it is coming as a thief in the night. Again and again I ask myself the question, What shall I do, that I may fully act my part in giving this last note of warning?—Letter 234, 1908. 6BIO 169.8

This was the largest of the 1908 camp meetings, with 321 family tents. Several times she spoke to large audiences in the big tent; at times there were 1,200 people (36 WCW, p. 333). Concerned that all should hear her well, she was relieved when “several who sat on the outskirts of the crowd” reported to her that they heard every word spoken (Letter 236, 1908). She was pleased that a number of women from the Women's Christian Temperance Union attended some of the meetings. While speaking to the ministers, she urged that the evangelistic thrust of the camp meeting be continued for another week of evening meetings. 6BIO 170.1

It is of interest to note that in one report of the camp meeting, in which ministerial help from northern California is listed, we find the words “Mrs. E. G. White and her company.” Her “company” consisted of Sara McEnterfer; W. C. White; Clarence Crisler and his wife, Caroline; Miss Hannaford, the new housekeeper; and Minnie Hawkins. Ellen White and several of her helpers stayed in a nearby cottage, which, she noted, had the convenience of a bathroom. 6BIO 170.2

No matter where she was, she could not lay aside those tasks that came to her as the messenger of the Lord—not only sermons but interviews, manuscript preparation, and correspondence. 6BIO 170.3

Following the camp meeting in Los Angeles, Ellen White visited the sanitariums at Glendale, Paradise Valley, and Loma Linda. On the Loma Linda farm she reported to Edson: “We saw large patches of melons, strawberries, asparagus, tomatoes, and corn.”—Letter 258, 1908. Ellen White was always interested in agricultural pursuits and intrigued by food production. 6BIO 170.4

Back at home after the four-week trip to the south, she complained of how calls to minister in the field hindered her and her workers at Elmshaven from doing what they wanted to do. “I cannot do my writing if I keep traveling,” she wrote on September 11, and declared,” We are striving with all our powers to get out my books.”— Ibid. 6BIO 170.5

Among those in preparation were Prophets and Kings; Testimonies, volume 9; and something on her “early experiences” (Letter 264, 1908), which finally became a part of Life Sketches. 6BIO 171.1

On September 23, writing to her granddaughter Mabel, she referred to her part in the work and the constant pressure upon her: 6BIO 171.2

There are many manuscripts to look over, and some straight testimonies to be borne. All my time is fully occupied.... I should not be bound down to so much examination of manuscript. I am asked to read every part of the selections made. I realize that it is wonderful that the Lord blesses me with such clearness of mind, and I am grateful.—Letter 274, 1908. 6BIO 171.3

Five days later she referred again to book preparation and the work of her assistants: “My workers are doing all in their power to forward the work on my books, and I am kept continually at work.”—Letter 280, 1908. 6BIO 171.4

Physical discomfort, which just at this time she suffered, did not deter her, and she wrote: 6BIO 171.5

All through the day I have important writings to examine. I find so much that ought to come before the people, and we are trying to prepare these writings as fast as possible. At times my eyes are severely taxed, but no one but myself can do this first work, to judge of their importance and to decide which should come before the people.—Letter 292, 1908. 6BIO 171.6