West Texas Camp-Meeting by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 7, 1911

West Texas Camp-Meeting

By G. B. Thompson

THE annual camp-meeting of the West Texas Conference was held at Ovalo, August 10-20. This conference was organized two years ago, with about two hundred members. At the present time the membership has increased to about three hundred forty. On account of the drought, however, which has continued for three years, resulting in an almost total failure of crops, nearly forty families of our people have moved to other places. Notwithstanding these discouraging circumstances the attendance at the meeting was very good, over two hundred fifty being present during the meeting.

The reports rendered showed progress. A number have embraced the truth during the year, and the tithe showed an increase of about twelve hundred dollars over that for the previous year, which was a very encouraging gain. The tract society showed a present worth of about eleven hundred dollars. The book work has been very successful, and though the circumstances have apparently been unfavorable, over five thousand dollars' worth of books has been sold during the year.

There was quite a large number of young people on the ground. Elder E. E. Farnsworth and others labored untiringly for these, and many responded to the gentle pleading of the Holy Spirit, and gave their hearts to God. The Lord greatly blessed in the revival services held. The Holy Spirit was especially manifested the last Sabbath. Backsliders were reclaimed, and a goodly number found the Saviour for the first time. Twenty were baptized the last Sabbath of the meeting.

The business of the conference was marked with much of the blessing of the Lord. The plan to raise a sum equal to fifteen cents a week per member the coming year was adopted, and a per cent of the tithe was gladly given to missions. The Sustentation Fund was explained, and all were thankful for such an excellent plan for the support of sick and aged workers. Five per cent of the tithe was voted to this fund.

Elder T. W. Field was unanimously re-elected president of the conference. The other officers were about the same as for the past year.

Elder G. F. Watson, the union conference president, W. W. Eastman, E. E. Farnsworth, T. M. French, and the writer attended the meeting, and shared with the local workers in the burdens and blessings of the meeting.

We were glad to attend this meeting. Though in the midst of a prolonged drought, the work has moved forward; and with the continued blessing of the Lord this young conference will soon be self-supporting.

G. B. THOMPSON.