p. 17 | The Arkansas Camp-Meeting by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 15, 1908

The Arkansas Camp-Meeting

By G. B. Thompson

THE annual camp-meeting of this conference was held September 13 at Fort Smith, a prosperous city of about twenty-five thousand inhabitants. The camp was a pleasant one, located in a fine oak grove in the suburbs of the city, with good street-car service. The evening meetings were devoted especially to a presentation of the Bible reasons of our faith. Those who attended from the city seemed much interested, and some of these, I understand, began to keep the Sabbath.

The attendance of our own people was quite good, about two hundred camping on the ground. A deep interest was manifested in all plans presented for the extension of the work both at home and abroad, and a desire for a greater consecration to his service was seen throughout the meeting. Unity prevailed in all business matters brought before the conference. Elder V. B. Watts has the confidence of all, and was unanimously reelected president. Other officers elected were about the same as last year.

The reports rendered indicated a healthy growth in the various departments of the work in the State during the year. Two new churches were admitted to the conference. Including those baptized at this meeting, one hundred twenty-three believers were baptized by the laborers during the year. This is a very encouraging showing for a small conference. Many of the weaker churches have been strengthened by the addition of believers. The report of the Sabbath-school secretary showed an increase of nine Sabbath-schools during the year. There was an increase in the tithes of about fourteen hundred dollars. The offerings to missions also showed an increase. During the meeting two hundred dollars was raised for the local work, and about eight hundred dollars in cash and pledges for foreign missions. The conference voted to raise a sum for missions equal to ten cents a week a member. All were enthusiastic over the Thanksgiving Ingathering service, and at least five thousand copies of this REVIEW special will be ordered to begin the work.

The various lines of work received attention during the meeting. Elder C. Santee, the union conference president; Prof. C. Sorensen, of Keene Academy; Elder W. W. Eastman; Brother C. N. Woodard; and the writer were present during some part of the meeting, and united with the local laborers in the burdens of the occasion.

Those attending the meeting left for their homes, planning to be real home missionaries during the coming year, and thus bring before those nearest them a knowledge of the message for this time. If all do this, their faith and courage will grow stronger day by day.

G. B. THOMPSON.