THE second annual meeting of the Natal-Transvaal Conference was held in connection with the camp-meeting at Dundee, Natal, February 16-26. The attendance, though not large, was good when we consider the size of the conference. This is one of the smallest conferences, if not the smallest one, ever organized among Seventh-day Adventists. At present they have three churches with a membership of about one hundred; but at the time of organization there were two churches, and the membership was considerably less than it now is.
The burden of sustaining a conference falls heavily upon the few faithful brethren and sisters in this field, but they have done nobly. One of the mistakes that have been made in South Africa from the beginning of our work was to build institutions and organizations faster than the constituency would warrant, hence it has been very difficult to support the work in all its departments.
I believe that I am safe in saying that this is our first camp-meeting held in accordance with the plan given us through the spirit of prophecy. Dundee had previously been canvassed for books; but otherwise it was new territory. At the beginning of the meeting the camp was organized for work, and several times during the meeting the town was worked from house to house by this company. They distributed invitations, sold papers and tracts, and in various ways endeavored to reach the people. Considerable rain fell during the meeting, which caused the attendance from the town to be much smaller than it otherwise would have been; still a goodly number came, and some interest was shown in the truths presented.
The preaching was done by Elders Edmed and Altman, and the writer. Daily Bible studies were held. The message, “Get ready,” was sounded forth to our people from the beginning of the meeting. Day by day the message came closer and closer. Again and again the meeting was taken out of our hands by the Holy Spirit, and was conducted to suit himself. Hearts were convicted, and deep repentance followed. All our meetings were free from the spirit of distrust and determination to have one’s own way. Love and unity were manifested by all who constantly sought for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I can truthfully say that he did for us all that we expected; yes, and much more.
But the last Sabbath was the great day of the feast. The sin of Achan in coveting a goodly Babylonish garment and golden wedge was clearly portrayed, and then came a solemn call to come out of Babylon. This caused a hard struggle with some, and tears flowed freely. In the afternoon the work was again taken up, and one after another gained the victory. Rings, chains, feathers, and various other ornaments were brought and laid upon the altar as gifts to the cause of God. We trust that this was true godly sorrow that “worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of,”
As might be expected, several consecrated themselves to the work, and the prospects are good that the conference will have all the help that it can use to profit. It was decided to spend three weeks in a training class in connection with the tent-meeting which is to follow the camp-meeting. Last year several young men were sent into the canvassing field who had little or no training, with the result that three became discouraged and gave up the work, and later on the truth. We hope our brethren will know how to direct the young men given them by God so as to make successful workers out of them.
Elder Edmed was again chosen as the president of the conference. Plans were laid to reduce the expense of running the conference machinery. The funds are low, and it may be necessary to assist this little conference in order that the work may prosper as it ought in this large field. Our brethren have been faithful in their tithes, and liberal in their offerings to the general work. During the past year they paid over four thousand dollars tithe into the treasury, or forty dollars per capita, and gave two hundred and forty dollars weekly offerings, and two hundred and seventy dollars Sabbath-school offerings, and eighty-five dollars annual offerings. Besides this, large demands have been made upon them for the local work in their field.
Before the meeting closed, plans were laid for aggressive work. In Maritzburg they are building a comfortable brick church with tract society office and schoolroom in connection. The brethren closed the meeting with courage and confidence, and we feel sure that the spirit of unity manifested will result in accomplishing much during 1905. This is the first camp-meeting held in this conference, and it was a great blessing to the little flock, and they go forth to the work, hoping to sing the jubilee song erelong.
