p. 20 | Tennessee River Conference by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 22, 1908

Tennessee River Conference

By G. B. Thompson

THE annual camp-meeting of the Tennessee River Conference was held in Memphis, October 1-8. The attendance of our people from the various parts of the conference was fair. The business session of the conference was held in connection with the meeting, and was marked throughout by a spirit of unity. Elder W. R. Burrow was re-elected president.

The reports rendered during the conference indicated progress. The tithe for the past year was the largest in the history of the conference. About eighty have accepted the truth and been baptized during the year. A spirit of liberality was manifested toward the various local enterprises presented. A deep interest was also shown in the advancement of the work in the fields abroad. The “thanksgiving week” plan for helping our missions was enthusiastically indorsed, also the ten-cent-a-week plan; and about three hundred fifty dollars was raised in cash and pledges for the foreign work.

On the grounds where the meeting was held, Elder J. S. Washburn has been conducting a tent effort for some weeks. These meetings have been quite largely attended by an excellent class of citizens, and the stirring truths of the message have reached the hearts of quite a number who have begun the observance of the Sabbath. Many others are interested; and as the tent effort will continue, it is hoped that still others will decide to obey the Lord.

Nearly all the local conference laborers attended the meeting; also the representatives of the various union conference departments were present and shared in the burdens and blessings of the meeting. Elders G. A. Irwin and C. F. McVagh and the writer were also in attendance.

A meeting for the colored Sabbath-keepers was held in another part of the city at the time of this meeting. Good reports were given of this meeting by those who attended.

I was glad to note the spirit of general progress seen in the Southern field. Memphis is a progressive city of over two hundred thousand inhabitants, and in general appearance and business thrift compares favorably with most cities of the North of similar size. A refined, intellectual, and enterprising class of citizens are found scattered throughout this field, especially in the cities, who, though conservative, can be reached by the truths of this message. Consecrated, progressive laborers are needed to respond to the many openings for labor.

G. B. THOMPSON.