The Arkansas Camp-Meeting
By B. G. Wilkinson
The camp-meeting for Arkansas was held in a shady oak grove in the city of Bentonville, August 17-27. This place has a population of about twenty-five hundred. The city and the citizens were very cordial in the favors they extended to the campers, and came, sometimes in large numbers, to attend the public services. Elders N. P. Nelson, Andrew Nelson, and G. B. Thompson were present the first half of the meeting, after which they left for Oklahoma; while Professor Hughes and the writer continued till the close of the meeting. An excellent spirit had possession of the camp from beginning to end. Hearty responses were made to the practical preaching, while both Sabbaths witnessed revivals blessed by the presence and power of God's Spirit. All present said it was by far the best camp-meeting Arkansas has had for years. Elder U. Bender was re-elected president, and D. Saidee Wilson secretary and treasurer of the conference. Credentials were granted to U. Bender, V. B. Watts, H. Clay Griffin, M. H. Gregory, and L. W. Felter. Ministerial license was given to J. S. Rouse and H. S. Parker. This conference has a membership of about four hundred and fifty, fifty of whom were added last year. The tithe showed an increase of $362.44 over last year. Sabbath-school offerings for the year were $238.54, and other offerings $484.76. For such a small conference it was encouraging to see about two hundred and fifty camped on the ground. But perhaps the greatest evidence that God's Spirit was leading this people was, their great liberality. On one day $303 was raised for Keene Academy; on another, $64.50 for church-school work; again $50.60 for local work; while on the last Sunday of the meeting, the whole camp responded as one man to the appeal for foreign missions, and gave $107.06. In addition to this, the people voted to turn to foreign missions the three hundred dollars credited to this conference by the General Conference. Thus, all told, the people gave about eight hundred dollars to the general work. The work among the young people brought brighter days for the canvassing work. The general agent, Brother Manfull, expects to lead into the field a larger force than ever before. This is the first privilege I have had of looking into the South and contemplating the bulwarks of the message in this section of the country. I see no reason why the truth can not make a strong and stable advance in the Southwestern Union. God's Spirit is with the people in power; it is their privilege to look up and receive it. B. G. WILKINSON.