The Kentucky Camp Meeting
By S. E. Wight
The annual camp meeting of Kentucky was held in Nicholasville, August 20–30. This place has about 3,500 inhabitants. The camp ground was located in the edge of the village on a beautiful plot of ground convenient to the business part of the city and to the residence district. At first it was thought that but few would be in attendance, but to the surprise of all, the camp meeting was well attended, and representatives were present from nearly all parts of the conference. A spirit of devotion such as had never been seen took possession of the people, and all entered heartily into the work of the conference and into the devotional meetings. On account of hard rainstorms four evening services were not well attended, but the other evenings the large tent was more than filled. Some nights at least one half of the congregation were standing or sitting on the outside of the tent because of the lack of seating capacity inside. One church was admitted to the conference, and the president’s report showed that ninety-six persons have accepted present truth during the first six months of this year. The two tent efforts held in Louisville, one for the white and one for the colored, reported that forty-five white and forty-four colored persons have accepted the truth and joined the church during this tent season. A part of these who accepted the truth in Louisville are included in the president’s report. The conference report showed that one hundred and twenty persons accepted the truth and united with the church during the year 1913. The faithful canvassers placed the message-filled books in many homes, and from the reading of these books many began to keep the Sabbath. This is a great encouragement to the colporteurs and to those who have the work in charge. There was a large increase in book sales, and it is expected that the year 1914 will reveal an increase unparalleled in the work in Kentucky. This is as it should be. The spirit of the times demands it. The home missionary work is also making advancement. The people have the old-time missionary spirit, and are using many tracts and papers to warn their neighbors and friends of the coming of Christ. It is reported that missionary meetings of the most interesting character are being held in many churches. Some have not yet taken part in this work, but it is expected that before many weeks the whole conference will be working in harmony with the plans outlined by the North American Division Home Department. The offerings for missions by the Sabbath school department amounted to $1,048.25. It was unanimously agreed to raise fifteen cents a week per member for missions during the year to come. Three church schools and one family school have been conducted during the past year. Five teachers have been employed, and one building has been erected. We were pleased to have the assistance of Elder C. S. Longacre, secretary of the Religious Liberty Department, during this meeting. His services were greatly appreciated, and his encouraging report of the work at large brought into the meeting a spirit of devotion and consecration to the work. The foreign mission offerings were large compared with other years. There were only about seventy-five persons on the grounds, and these in pledges and in cash raised $1,000 for missions and $200 for the conference work. A spirit of liberality took possession of all, and gifts were made of houses and lots and personal property. The general belief was that God has set his hand to close up the work in the earth. The laborers are all hopeful, and it is believed that with the cooperation of the earnest people of Kentucky a great work will be accomplished during the coming season.