The Arkansas Camp-Meeting for the Colored People by J. W. DANCER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 8, 1908

The Arkansas Camp-Meeting for the Colored People

By J. W. DANCER

THIS meeting was held according to appointment, August 8-18, at Pine Bluff, Ark. There were not quite so many in attendance this year as last, the principal reason being a lack of means. But in spite of all obstacles, the meeting on the whole was a success. Those who did attend seemed to receive much spiritual benefit, and expressed themselves as desirous of being more faithful in paying tithes and in laboring for souls, in the future.

Several of those who came had barely enough money to pay their railroad fare to and from the meeting, and hence came expecting to canvass or do something else a part of the time to keep themselves while here. Some brought a quantity of books with them to sell during the meeting, and Elder V. B. Watts had three hundred copies of the Watchman sent to be sold to help needy ones. I ordered fifty "New Testament Primers" also. With this stock of literature on hand to sell, all were able to care for themselves very nicely.

In order to give ample time for selling the literature, it was necessary to have exercises only during the forenoon and at night. I fear some who have not had opportunity to witness the condition of the colored people here in the South are inclined to doubt what has been written concerning their poverty. But I have lived here practically all my life, and I have never read anything from the pen of any of our brethren on the field which I considered overdrawn. It is true there are a few well-to-do ones among us, but what are these among so many?

I wish I could report donations taken up during the meeting for different phases of our work, as is the case at the white camp-meetings. But the conditions were such that this was impossible. We did not fail, however, to urge upon them the importance of helping all they can as the calls come from time to time. One was baptized during the meeting.

Our greatest need is house-to-house workers and mission schools. Tent efforts among this people should follow house-to-house work instead of preceding it or going with it. The people must be educated by systematic distribution of our literature, Bible readings, etc. Then when a tent is pitched, the interested one can be given a special invitation, and we have an audience that has not come merely with "itching ears," to go away disappointed. I have never yet seen any tangible result from a tent effort in this field that was not preceded by house-to-house work.

J. W. DANCER.