The Cumberland Camp-Meeting by Mrs. J. F. Pogue

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 12, 1908

The Cumberland Camp-Meeting

By Mrs. J. F. Pogue

THE eighth annual meeting of the Cumberland Conference was held just preceding the camp-meeting, at Cleveland, Tenn., beginning August 26. The camp was beautifully situated in an orchard about a block from the depot. Over fifty delegates were present to participate in the business of the conference sessions. One church was admitted to the sisterhood of churches.

Last January the Cumberland Conference, comprising eastern Tennessee and eastern Kentucky, was divided. Kentucky was organized into a conference, and eastern Tennessee is now known as the Cumberland Conference. It consists of twelve organized churches, three companies, and a number of scattered Sabbath-keepers. During the past year three new church-buildings have been erected, and another is under construction. Our working force on the pay-roll of the conference consists of two ordained ministers, besides the president, one licentiate, and two Bible workers.

The Educational Department reported four church-schools, situated at Cleveland, Copper Ridge, Mission Ridge Valley, and Brayton, and a family school at Knoxville, and an intermediate school at Daylight. The children of the Graysville church attend the normal department of the Graysville Academy. Our field missionary agent reported a steady growth in the canvassing work, showing a most encouraging increase, month by month, in the number of agents, and a corresponding increase in the sales made.

The committee on plans brought in some important resolutions, which were unanimously adopted. Officers for the coming year were elected as follows: President, J. F. Pogue; vice-president, Cyrus Simmons; conference and mission secretary, Mrs. J. F. Pogue; treasurer, R. L. Williams; Sabbath-school and Missionary Volunteer secretary, Mrs. A. F. Harrison, and assistant, Miss Francis Kennidy; field missionary agent, S. F. Reeder; medical secretary, R. A. Lovell; religious liberty secretary, Cyrus Simmons; educational secretary, J. F. Pogue, and assistant, Prof. H. S. Miller. Conference committee: J. F. Pogue, Cyrus Simmons, W. L. Bird, S. F. Reeder, R. L. Williams, A. D. West, and H. S. Miller. New members of the legal association: R. L. Williams, A. D. West.

The following-named persons were granted conference papers:— Ministerial credentials: J. F. Pogue, W. L. Bird, E. L. Sanford; honorary credentials: W. W. Williams, C. G. Howell, Dr. J. E. Caldwell, O. C. Godsmark; ministerial license: Cyrus Simmons, R. A. Lovell; missionary license: Miss Maude Dortch, Mrs. Anna Agee Hall, Mrs. A. F. Harrison, Mrs. W. W. Williams, S. F. Reeder, R. L. Williams, Lewin Jacobs, Mrs. Bertha Jacobs, Mrs. J. F. Pogue; canvassers' missionary license: C. M. Emmerson, Ernest Haskell, D. W. Dillen, J. A. Caldwell, F. B. Sedore, J. W. Slade.

Elder W. A. Westworth, our union conference president, was with us during the meeting, rendering valuable service in our business sessions, as well as taking an active part in our preaching services. His labor was highly appreciated by all. Prof. B. G. Wilkinson was also present doing valuable work with the young people, and preaching some excellent and timely discourses on the message for these times. The other laborers outside the conference, whose presence was much appreciated, were R. T. Dowsett, V. O. Cole, L. A. Hansen, Prof. M. B. Van Kirk, and A. F. Harrison.

This camp-meeting was the largest ever enjoyed by the Cumberland Conference, despite the division of the territory. Nearly two thousand dollars was given in cash and pledges to different branches of the work. Besides this, a number pledged to give the proceeds of a week's work to the Thanksgiving ingathering.

The harmonious spirit that prevailed was refreshing to all; and as this conference enters upon another year's work, it is with the prayer that God may give wisdom and strength to accomplish great things in his work on earth.

Mrs. J. F. Pogue, Secretary.