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The Florida Camp-Meeting

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

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 46.

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The Florida Camp-Meeting

By R. T. DOWSETT

The Florida Camp-Meeting
The annual camp-meeting of the Florida Conference was held October 1-12 at Palatka. The camp, located on the banks of the beautiful St. Johns River, and pitched amid the handsome magnolia and live-oak trees, presented a very pleasing picture.
The evening services were devoted to the presentation of our doctrinal truths, for the benefit of the citizens of Palatka. A very appreciative audience was present each night. We believe some seed fell on good ground, and will spring up and yield fruit to the glory of God.
Our own people enjoyed a most profitable season. The attendance was good, and the meetings meant much to every one in attendance. The gracious presence of the Spirit of God was manifest in each meeting. Especially was this so during the two Sabbath services. Laborers and people sought a deeper and fuller consecration than ever before, while the unconverted yielded to the Spirit’s voice, and experienced great blessings. Thirteen were baptized during the meeting.
It was encouraging to see the unity prevailing, as the items of business were brought before the conference. Three newly organized churches were admitted into the sisterhood of churches. The financial condition of the conference is still good; and every minister has been encouraged to see fruit from his labor the past year.
During the year the Orlando Sanitarium was opened. The financial obligations of the institution have been borne by individuals, but with the agreement that as soon as the Florida Conference can assume the responsibilities of the institution, the stockholders are to relinquish their claim, and receive as remuneration only the actual cash invested. All profits accrue to the conference. One share of stock was voted to the conference by the stockholders, for services rendered by the conference; and during the camp-meeting five hundred dollars in cash and pledges was raised, with which to purchase five shares more.
The Orlando Sanitarium is located in a pine grove between two beautiful lakes. The climate of Florida, with other natural health-imparting facilities, places this sanitarium on advantageous ground, and we welcome it into our sisterhood of sanitariums, knowing it will not prove a blessing to Florida alone, but be of benefit to many other conferences, inasmuch as many health-seekers annually resort to Florida from the North and Middle West. We bespeak for it the hearty support and loyal co-operation of all interested in the medical missionary work.
Elder R. W. Parmele was unanimously re-elected president of the conference, with C. B. Stephenson, G. W. Dick, C. V. Achenbach, and H. A. Shreve associated on the executive committee, and Sister R. G. Stringer as secretary and treasurer.
Resolutions pertaining to the work at home and abroad were freely discussed and adopted. With enthusiasm the effort for the Thanksgiving Ingathering was approved, as well as the ten-cent-a-week plan. Florida expects to help extend the cause in the regions beyond, although she has a large mission field of her own unworked. In cash and pledges $353.50 was contributed for foreign missions, in addition to two Sabbath-school offerings, amounting to $35.58. Besides the offerings already mentioned, $315 was given toward the Atlanta Sanitarium, and $141 for local work, making a total of $1,345.08 raised during the meeting.
Elder W. A. Westworth, president of the Southwestern Union Conference, and Brethren L. A. Hansen and V. O. Cole, and the writer were present, and took active part, with the local laborers, in the services. Elder and Mrs. E. W. Webster and Sister Amelia Webster, returned missionaries from foreign fields, were also present. These will labor in the Florida Conference.
The praise service which closed the Palatka meeting certified to the genuineness of the blessings enjoyed and the victories gained. The brethren and sisters returned to their homes greatly strengthened, and with a determination to do active work among their friends and neighbors.
R. T. DOWSETT.