A Good Word From the South by B. G. WILKINSON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 27, 1908

A Good Word From the South

By B. G. WILKINSON

It was my privilege to be present at the Louisiana camp-meeting the first five days of the gathering. The results achieved during those days spoke volumes of promise for the South. Though Brother E. L. Maxwell, the president of the conference, was incapacitated from a leading part in the services by the fever, nevertheless the people responded freely to the calls of the Spirit.

The first Sabbath of the camp, the donation of the Sabbath-school was more than ten times the donation of the same Sabbath in the camp the preceding year. In the revival service which followed, all those in attendance, with only one exception, fully surrendered to God. Among these was a Methodist minister, who had resisted for years the conviction of the Spirit to observe the seventh day as the Sabbath. Also another brother, who had for over five years withstood the prayers of a wife and a mother, decided fully to give himself to God, and keep holy his Sabbath day.

The Sunday following was another good day. After the presentation of the spread of the message in foreign fields, and the calls for means to help needy places, the camp responded by a donation of three hundred dollars. When it is considered that there were, including youth and children, only about seventy-five in attendance at the camp-meeting, the size of the gift was certainly liberal for this struggling conference.

In the afternoon of the same day a grand temperance rally was held. One of the leading Methodist ministers of Lake Charles, who is also president of the anti-saloon league, participated. The State president of the Women's Christian Temperance Union came down from Jennings, La., in order to speak on this occasion; while the local president of the same organization joined in the program.

The following day, Monday, the good work which had been begun, continued. The great needs of the conference, laboring under large financial embarrassment were presented. In deep thankfulness for the spiritual blessing of the camp, the brethren replied in the spirit of sacrifice. Nearly four hundred twenty-five dollars was laid on the altar, accompanied by promises which we are reasonably certain will carry the gift beyond the five-hundred-dollar mark.

In the afternoon the young people responded to an earnest appeal urging them to secure an education for a part

in this great closing work. The majority of the youth were on their feet to signify their intention to secure, by God's help, just such an education. Truly the forward move of the brethren in this conference, young and old, conference officers and laborers at this camp-meeting, was an omen of coming good. It acted like good medicine on their consecrated president, who arose from his bed of sickness to take part in the services.

The South is a field of great opportunity. No discouraged, no unbelieving, no worn-out laborer, ought to come here or be sent here. But for men who have understanding of the times, here are splendid chances for the missionary. South Louisiana alone could, right at this present moment, use twenty ministers.

B. G. WILKINSON.