The Jackson, Miss. (colored), Camp-Meeting by W. H. Sebastian; T. Murphy; M. C. Strachan

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Oct 1, 1903

The Jackson, Miss. (colored), Camp-Meeting

By W. H. Sebastian; T. Murphy; M. C. Strachan

THE second annual camp-meeting of the colored Seventh-day Adventists of Mississippi was held at Jackson, August 28 to September 8. This was an ideal camp-meeting,—not a tent effort, but a genuine, soul-refreshing camp-meeting, conducted throughout by colored workers.

There was an absence of that unsanctified emotionalism which characterizes the colored gatherings in this part of the South; and in its stead a clean-cut, definite message for the times sounded forth, accompanied by the convicting influence of the Holy Spirit’s power.

There was no time given to the discussion of race or class distinctions or sectional differences. But all felt the spirit and burden of the message, and every energy seemed bent on giving a warning to this generation of Africa’s sons, that a remnant may be gathered out to share in the joys of the faithful.

We had a forty-foot audience tent, six family tents, a dining tent, and a kitchen, on a beautiful acre lot, for the comfort and convenience of our campers. But the six family tents were not sufficient to accommodate all the brethren and sisters present. Many found lodging in the homes of our neighbors.

Together with the five laboring brethren, there were, all told, forty-one Sabbath-keepers present at our camp. These represented the churches at Columbus, Yazoo, Vicksburg, Brookhaven, and Jackson. There were two laborers from outside the conference,—Brother T. B. Buckner, of Alabama, and Brother S. S. Ryles, of Arkansas. The home field was represented by Elder W. H. Sebastian, of Yazoo, Brother Murphy, of Columbus, and Brother M. C. Strachan, of Jackson.

There were four services held daily,—sunrise prayer meeting at 6 A. M.; preaching at 11 A. M., at 3 P. M., and again at 8 P. M. The early morning prayer meeting was one of the best seasons of the day. Here the keynote of the whole camp-meeting was struck,—complete surrender to God, the relinquishing of every sin, absolute victory in the life, and a seeking for the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

The forenoon and afternoon services were devoted to Bible study, the ministering brethren instructing the believers in the way of truth and righteousness, exhorting them to make no compromise with sin, but to place themselves wholly on the Lord’s side, and to work for the salvation of souls.

Many evenings the outside attendance crowded our audience tent far beyond its seating capacity; and as the principles of our faith were presented in their full, searching power, the souls of men and women were stirred deeply, and many did not miss a single night in visiting our tent. In response to an invitation at the close of our meeting, ten dear souls, the heads of nine families, expressed themselves as willing to obey all the commandments of God, and desired to have some one visit them for further study of the Bible. Their names were taken, and Brother Strachan was appointed to visit these interested ones, and to begin a course of Bible studies with them, that they might receive more light and instruction concerning the truth.

Children’s meetings were also held daily at 4 P. M., and mothers’ meetings daily at 5 P. M. Sister Jackson, of Vicksburg, Sister Sebastian, of Yazoo, and Sister Murphy, of Columbus, conducted these meetings with good results.

Meetings were not crowded so closely together as to give no time for personal devotion or personal work for others. Each morning after breakfast a number of our campers took books, papers, and tracts, and went out into the different sections of the city, canvassing, selling papers, and distributing tracts, until, in the words of one of the preachers here, the town was literally “filled with pernicious literature.”

The little company at Jackson has secured a beautiful lot upon which to build a church and mission school combined. Already plans are laid for the building operations to begin immediately; and Brother Strachan hopes to have the building ready to occupy within a few weeks. All who feel interested in the work for the colored people, and desire to contribute toward this mission school building can forward donations to M. C. Strachan, 206½ Huntsman St., Jackson, Miss.

W. H. SEBASTIAN, T. MURPHY, M. C. STRACHAN.