The Florida Conference and Camp Meeting by I. H. Evans

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 19, 1914

The Florida Conference and Camp Meeting

By I. H. Evans

THE Florida camp meeting was held at Orlando, Fla., October 8-18. The camp was pitched on the fair ground, and the citizens and controlling board helped in every possible way to make the stay of our people pleasant and enjoyable. From the beginning, the weather was all that could be wished. The attendance was the largest of any camp meeting held in the Florida Conference.

Besides the regular preaching services, instruction was given in all departments of our work. Several consecration services were held, when all in the audience, with very few exceptions, gave themselves anew to the Lord, and earnestly sought divine help in putting sin out of their lives.

Elder W. H. Heckman presided in the conference meetings. Others from outside the conference who were present and rendered valuable help were Elder O. Montgomery, president of the union conference, and the union canvassing agent, Brother V. O. Cole.

A donation aggregating more than $13,000 in cash and pledges, much of which was conditional on the sale of property, was cheerfully made by the people. The Sabbath school offerings amounted to $525, which was liberal, judging from the attendance and the ability of the people to give.

The amount of tithe received during the past year was the largest in the history of the conference, and the number of converts to the truth, as reported by the laborers, was very encouraging. Two new churches were received into the conference at this meeting, and another church will be organized soon. Three new church buildings had been erected and dedicated during the year.

Our colored believers held their camp meeting at the same time, on a good street in Orlando. Elder Strachan, assisted by Elder Sydney Scott and the conference workers, conducted this meeting. The outside interest was good. The young people had a regular training school. The encampment was neat and attractive, and commanded the respect of all. At the close of the last Sabbath, Brother J. S. Green was ordained to the gospel ministry.

A spirit of unity prevailed during the entire meeting. Not one discordant note was sounded from beginning to end. Brother W. H. Heckman was reelected president of the conference for the ensuing year. Florida has given freely of its laborers to strengthen the work in other conferences in the union, and now it is in great need of the addition of some strong men to its evangelical force of workers. However, every indication would warrant the belief that there is a bright future before the Florida Conference, with rapid growth in new churches and church membership.

I left on Saturday night, but Elder W. H. Heckman writes concerning the closing day of the meeting, as follows:—

“The meeting closed in a blaze of glory. As the last song was being sung, a great many in the audience were in tears. Every one spoke in the highest terms of the good camp meeting, many saying that though they had been present at a great many camp meetings, this was the best they had ever been privileged to attend. Sunday, there were thirty-nine baptized, ten at the colored camp.”

This was my first visit to Florida. I was sorry not to meet at this meeting Elder George I. Butler, who was unable to be present.

The Lord greatly blessed during the Florida camp meeting, and all present seemed of good courage and ready to give their lives, their property, and their all to the finishing of the work.

I. H. EVANS.