The Cumberland Camp Meeting by Chas. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 19, 1915

The Cumberland Camp Meeting

By Chas. Thompson

This meeting was held, according to appointment, in the city of Cleveland, Tenn., July 16-25, and was in many respects the best meeting ever held in this conference. There were more than two hundred encamped on the ground, one fourth of whom were believers who have accepted the present truth within the last three years.

The president’s address was replete with facts and figures showing splendid advancement in all departments of the work the past year. As the result of the evangelistic efforts put forth, one hundred individuals had been baptized and added to the church membership, and the conference had many urgent and growing interests.

The tithe received the past year amounted to $8,144.20. The first six months of 1915 show an increase of one thousand dollars over the corresponding period last year. The offerings for missions in 1914 amounted to $4,833.82. The amount received the first half of 1915 is about seven hundred dollars more than for the same period last year. The book sales in this conference last year amounted to $10,605.44. In comparison, the sales for the first half of this year show an increase, and the bookmen believe that 1915 will show a large gain in this department of the work.

The business of the conference passed off harmoniously. Elder W. H. Branson was unanimously elected to the presidency, with practically the same committee and departmental secretaries as last year.

The laborers from abroad who assisted the local and union conference workers in carrying the responsibility of this meeting were Elders J. O. Corliss and C. B. Haynes, Miss E. M. Graham, and the writer. The instruction during the day was of a practical nature, emphasizing the importance of the home missionary work, and the benefit of getting the rank and file of our membership at work in a definite way for the salvation of souls. This was given a very practical turn for several days, when, after some definite instruction by Sister Graham or Brother Haynes, the camp was divided into companies, with a leader over each. The members of these companies went into the homes of the people of the city of Cleveland, selling books, pamphlets, and magazines, giving away tracts, and personally inviting the people to the services. The result of this work was very gratifying, as the evening attendance was largely increased thereby. In all my camp meeting experience I never saw people more interested in the truths for this time than at this meeting. Elders Locken and Mayoon, with other helpers, remain more fully to develop the interest created. We believe that a harvest of souls will be gathered in this place.

Revival services were held both Sabbaths with gratifying results, and strong public and personal efforts were put forth

for the youth and children. Dr. M. M. Martinson looked after the health of the campers, and gave daily instruction in the principles of health, temperance, and hygiene. Altogether, Cumberland had a good meeting, and the laborers start out full of courage and consecration, with their goal set for two hundred baptized believers during the conference year before them.

Personally it was a privilege to renew acquaintance with those I knew when I labored in the Southeastern Union, and to form the acquaintance of the lay members who have accepted the present truth since I left that union. I am sure the workers in this conference desire an interest in the prayers of the REVIEW family, that God will give grace and help in winning souls for the kingdom.

CHAS. THOMPSON.