Camp-Meeting in Eastern Kentucky
By Ortho C. Godsmark
SINCE coming to the South, it has been our most earnest desire to see the work built up in this part of the Lord's vineyard. It had been three years since a general meeting of any kind had been held in eastern Kentucky, and it seemed only fit that the few believers in present truth in that part of the State should come together and receive instruction. Accordingly a beautiful park was secured in Lexington, and a camp-meeting appointed for July 9-20. Eight tents were pitched upon the ground, besides the book tent, boarding tent, and pavilion. Quite a number had never attended a camp-meeting before. Some secured rooms in the city. The usual program was carried out, and the Lord gave us a most precious season. The services during the day were mostly devoted to instructing our people relative to the different phases of our work, while the evening meetings were adapted more fully to the needs of the people who came from the city. Elder Geo. I. Butler was with us, and his earnest appeals and wholesome instruction were appreciated by all. The work is new in this part of the field. Every member counts one. Every dollar looks large, and every new believer is hailed with joy. We are too few, and there is too much work all around us to be done, to spend much time discussing differences of opinion or the mistakes that others make. The Lord came near to us at this meeting, it being one of the best we have ever attended. How different seemed this little family gathering than do the large meetings of the North and West. Out of the little handful gathered together there were ten baptized, and with no urging or constraint nearly enough was freely raised in money and pledges to meet the expense of the meeting, and also pay for the new 35x5513foot meeting tent that had just been purchased. The only shadow that came over our meeting was the sudden death of Elder Osborn, the father of the cause in this part of the South, which occurred without a moment's warning the very closing day of the meeting. All have returned to their homes full of hope and courage for the work in this part of our field. May the Lord add his blessing to the efforts of our laborers in this Southern field. President of Cumberland Conference.