North Texas Camp-Meeting by G. F. Watson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 5, 1911

North Texas Camp-Meeting

By G. F. Watson

THIS meeting was held at Dallas, Tex., August 3-13, in the Chapman grove, in the southern part of the city. The car service was convenient, and the attendance of the citizens was good, especially evenings, and at times very good during the day. Because of the drought, which has continued for three years and which was very severe the first half of this year, it was feared the attendance of our people would be small, but there were about seven hundred encamped on the grounds, or about the usual number.

The large pavilion was placed at the entrance to the camp. It was brilliantly lighted, and the large platform for the speakers and the choir was decorated with appropriate mottoes. There was also a tastily arranged reception tent with comfortable chairs and lounges. Near the speaker's stand was the book tent, with a good stock of our literature attractively arranged, which resulted in much larger sales than the year before.

Opposite this on the next corner was located a conference office tent, with the words “Office” and “Bureau of Information” over the entrance. Reading tents for both the young women and the young men, furnished with a good supply of books, were in full view, with signs designating them. The whole arrangement of the camp showed careful thought and planning, and the public responded to the inviting appearance.

The spiritual interests were not made second to the material. From the first, there was a good spirit in the meeting. Revival efforts were not confined to the Sabbath, but on the two Sabbaths of the meeting large numbers came forward for prayer, and to seek new experiences. Many of these were starting in the Christian life for the first time. God's Spirit was present in mighty power, hearts were touched, and surrenders were made; blessings were received, and victories gained. Twenty-three were baptized.

The reports from the different workers showed a healthy growth in all departments. During the year, there were 100 converts to the truth; three new church houses erected and paid for, the combined valuation of these amounting to $5,000; an increase of $1,700 tithes over last year (there was erroneously reported a falling off from last year at the time); a net gain of over $2,000 for the tract society; a large increase in Sabbath-school and other offerings; a still larger increase in subscription book sales; quite a revival of interest in the Young People's Missionary Volunteer Department, there being fifty-nine who finished the reading courses, while last year there were only three or four; an increase in the force of conference laborers. There were also other evidences of prosperity which can not be reported here.

The conference business was transacted with the utmost harmony, not a discordant note being heard. Resolutions were passed endorsing the actions of the Friedensau General Conference Council with reference to the fifteen-cent-a-week plan, cheerfully acquiescing in all the requests of that council and accepting the increased responsibilities. The conference also voted to raise its share of the Clinton (German) Seminary obligation, and adopted resolutions touching the different phases of the general and local work.

But few changes were made in the officers for the ensuing year. Elder W. A. McCutchen was again elected president, and W. F. Field secretary and treasurer. The other officers and members of the committee remain the same as last year. It was gratifying to note the unanimity with which all these persons were chosen to their offices, and the harmony and unity that exists among all the conference officers and laborers. Those at the head have the hearty support of workers and people.

The laborers present, aside from the local conference workers, were Elders G. B. Thompson, G. H. Haffner, T. M. French, Prof. G. A. Grauer, and the union conference laborers representing their different lines of work, Elders W. W. Eastman, E. E. Farnsworth, C. B. Hughes, and the writer.

G. F. WATSON.