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

surrender, to come forward. There was a most gratifying response.
The next day there was a baptism. Sixty-five were added to the church.
For Ellen White personally, it seemed that a new day had dawned. As the
camp meeting neared its close, she declared:
I look upon this chapter in my experience in my seventy-eighth year as
a miracle of Christ's working. We shall have peace and thanksgiving for the
lines of work that were carried forward at this camp meeting. My soul is
thankful, and I praise God with all my heart.--Letter 306, 1906.
Some time later, in a letter to Edson, she referred to the camp meeting
experience in 1876 at Groveland, Massachusetts, when she spoke on a
Sunday to an estimated 20,000 people (The Signs of the Times, September
14, 1876 [MR, p. 114]): "The Lord was with us then," she wrote, "but,
Edson, I felt the power of God just as decidedly on the campground in
Oakland, as I did in the earlier days of the message. The sweet peace of God
was upon me, and I felt refreshed rather than wearied."--Letter 288, 1906.
Plans for a Continuing Evangelistic Thrust
Considering the gratifying attendance of non-Adventists from the
community at the night meetings, it seemed well to church leaders to leave
the big tent standing and continue with evangelistic services. Sister White
encouraged this. It was a plan successfully followed in Australia. A twofold
thrust was planned: Workers would remain encamped on the ground; an
evangelistic meeting would be held every night, and during the day there
would be house-to-house visitation.
Elder Haskell and his wife, who had assisted at the camp meeting but
who had been working in San Bernardino, would be requested to stay on to
conduct a "Bible training school" for workers and laymen while this special
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