The Grahamstown Camp-Meeting by H. J. Edmed

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 26, 1910

The Grahamstown Camp-Meeting

By H. J. Edmed

H. J. EDMED

FOLLOWING closely the rich experiences enjoyed at the Johannesburg camp-meeting, another gathering took place at what is commonly known as “the City of the Saints,” and the scene of historic and thrilling incidents recounted by the settlers in Cape Colony early in the last century. Grahamstown, the stronghold of Wesleyan Methodism in South Africa, is a pretty town, quiet and religious: the place is sprinkled with church spires, and the sounds of “sacred” bells lend hourly music to the echoes that pass from hill to hill around the entire city. It has a cathedral, by which it may be known that Wesleyans do not hold that fort alone. Other denominations have gained a footing there, and the many colleges and schools mark the place as a seat of learning.

BELIEVERS ATTENDING THE GRAHAMSTOWN CAMP-MEETING

It was in Grahamstown that Elder I. J. Hankins began to preach the truth some twenty years ago, going thence to a farm about twenty-five miles from the city, and gathering into a church organization several families who had accepted the truth, and who have ever since been known as the Rokeby Seventh-day Adventist church. Five years later, Elder D. F. Tarr and the writer conducted meetings at the same place, with the result that quite a number were baptized. About two thousand persons attended that baptismal service, which was held in the public baths.

Near the cathedral, in the very heart of the city, the brethren secured a fine site for the camp-meeting. About twenty-five tents were pitched, with a fifty-by-seventy-five-foot meeting-tent and a commodious dining-tent. Besides almost all the families from the Rokeby district, many others came from a distance, and a meeting of the South African Union Conference committee was called at the same time. Thus the gathering was a very representative one. From the first it was evident that the blessing of God would be with us. The citizens were wonderfully interested in the meetings, which, as they continued, drew larger and larger numbers from the city, who took part freely in the social exercises. Day after day, every meeting seemed to lift a step higher. At the evening services the attendance reached from eight hundred to one thousand, and when we went up-town, it was with difficulty that we were able to return to the camp, owing to the interested conversations into which the people of the city would draw us. Never before have we seen such an interest in South Africa. Truly it was good! Several requests came for prayers from persons outside, and these were graciously answered. Victories were gained that were marvelous.

The response to the calls for financial help were ready and liberal; $750 was cheerfully donated for the city work of the conference, the citizens also generously giving $100 toward the expense of this excellent camp-meeting.

One of the events of the meeting was field-day, inaugurated for the campers, who in a few hours sold nearly four hundred magazines. On returning, every one reported a rich experience, and it was a matter for general regret that the city was too small to allow of more work being done.

The reports from the conference show that while the financial depression now visiting South Africa has somewhat decreased the income, the work has gone forward steadily, and good progress has been made. During the past year over seventy persons have been added to the churches by baptism, and plans have been laid for a more thorough, aggressive work in the field. The resolutions passed expressed courage and hope, and there was a spirit of harmony throughout all deliberations. Elder E. R. Williams was re-elected to the presidency, with J. V. Willson as secretary. Three new churches were added to the conference, and it was decided to continue a course of tent-meetings in Grahamstown immediately following this meeting.

Elder R. C. Porter and Mrs. Porter, Elder W. S. Hyatt and family, and the Union College faculty were present to help with their counsel. We have every reason to believe that this meeting, with all its precious experiences, will mark a new era in the work of our message in South Africa.

Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.