Camp-Meetings in the Southern Union Conference by C. F. McVAGH

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 20, 1910

Camp-Meetings in the Southern Union Conference

By C. F. McVAGH

Tennessee River Conference

THE three weeks beginning August 18, the date of the opening of the Tennessee River camp-meeting, were busy ones for the union conference laborers in the field. The camp at Huntingdon, Tenn., was located in the beautiful private grounds of an old Southern home, only a block from the railroad station. The shady green lawn, with an abundant supply of good water, made as near an ideal camp-ground as I have ever seen. The sanitary conditions were also of the best, and the attendance both of our own people and of the citizens was indeed encouraging. The Spirit of God was manifestly present, and in this, as well as in the other meetings in the Southern Union this year, there was an earnest move on the part of nearly all present to consecrate themselves for a deeper experience and for better service. It was also noticeable that we were the recipients of special favors on the part of the people. Elder W. R. Burrow was re-elected president of the conference, and T. E. Pavey, secretary and treasurer. It was voted to move the conference headquarters from Hazel, Ky., to Nashville, Tenn. C. F. Parmele was ordained to the gospel ministry, and C. D. Wolff was appointed to take charge of the canvassing work.

The writer left Huntingdon in the midst of the good meeting, to give the graduating address at the Oakwood Manual Training-school, at Huntsville, Ala. In addition to the regular commencement exercises, they were just closing a very successful summer school and institute for the mission teachers. The weather was ideal, and a large company was present to enjoy the exercises, which were held on the lawn in front of the main school building. It is indeed encouraging to see these workers equipped for service in this needy field. No workers have had better success during the summer than the colored ministers and teachers, and the calls for labor are almost unlimited.

Kentucky Conference

From Oakwood I went to Kentucky. The Kentucky meeting was held on the same ground as last year, in Louisville. Since the last camp-meeting, Elder J. J. Graff has located in Louisville to work among the thousands of Germans in that city. This is in response to earnest prayers and appeals, and will doubtless result in raising up a German church. The tract society report was most encouraging. Elder A. O. Burrill was re-elected president. There are but few laborers in Kentucky, but the work is thoroughly organized and onward. Kentucky is destined to become one of the strong conferences of the South. A spirit of harmony and courage prevailed throughout the meeting.

While in Louisville, I visited the tent-meeting conducted by Brethren Lawrence and Dasent for the colored people. They had a splendid interest. The testing truths of the message had just been presented, and a large number had signified their intention of keeping the commandments.

Leaving Louisville, I spent one Sabbath at the camp-meeting for the colored people at Greenville, Miss. Here I found the people of good courage, with a fair outside interest. One intelligent man had just accepted the Sabbath, and was baptized the day before I came. Another, a minister, spent the whole Sabbath with us, and acknowledged the truth at every point. I was glad to meet the faithful colored canvassers of Mississippi at this meeting. The Lord has greatly blessed them. One colored woman in Mississippi has sold as high as $125 worth of books in a week, and her deliveries were good. It does one good to see the faces of these believers shine as they relate their experiences. I left them after the Sabbath to attend the —

Mississippi Camp-Meeting

The location of the camp at Enterprise, Miss., was very nearly ideal also, and the camp-meeting was the best ever held in Mississippi. It was a season of refreshing long to be remembered by those in attendance; and the outside interest was encouraging. The work has been blessed in Mississippi during the last year. Forty-one persons have been baptized, and thirty more are keeping the Sabbath. Elder W. S. Lowry was re-elected president, and it was voted to start a tract society, and to establish permanent headquarters in Jackson. No conference in the union has made better progress during the last year than Mississippi.

Every conference in the Southern Union shows an increase in tithe, an increase in the number of Sabbath-keepers, and a renewed courage to push all branches of the work to victory. Each conference took hold heartily to do its share on the $300,000 Fund, the ten-cent-a-week fund, and the sanitarium relief fund.

Elder C. N. Martin and Brother A. F. Harrison attended all the camp-meetings in the union, and rendered valuable help. Prof. M. B. Van Kirk also attended most of the meetings, and Dr. W. A. George part of them. Prof. H. R. Salisbury attended the Louisiana and Alabama meetings.

On Monday, September 12, I reached home, weary in mind and body from the long camp-meeting tour, but of good courage in the Lord, and thankful for a part in the work in the South.

C. F. McVAGH.