Camp Meetings for the Colored People in the South by C. B. Stephenson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 26, 1916

Camp Meetings for the Colored People in the South

By C. B. Stephenson

The South Carolina Mission camp meeting was held in Sumter, August 17-27. A very suitable location was secured in a prominent part of the city. There were about one hundred in attendance. The interest among those not of our faith was good, and frequently at the evening services the tent was crowded. A considerable number accepted the truth and were baptized. The meetings were deeply spiritual, and proved a great blessing to all who were present.

A spirit of harmony prevailed in all the deliberations. The report showed a splendid increase in tithes and offerings, and also in membership. Three new churches were received into the conference, with an aggregate membership of seventy-five.

Besides the local conference workers, Elders W. H. Branson and G. E. Peters, Sister Anna Knight, and the writer assisted in the services.

The Alabama camp meeting was held in Montgomery, August 24 to September 2. This was also quite well attended by the constituency, with an unusual attendance from those not of our faith. I was told there were twelve public-school teachers present at one of the evening services.

Progress was indicated by the reports of the departmental secretaries. Practically the same plans and resolutions that were discussed and passed in the conference were brought into the camp meeting, with such additions as were necessary to meet conditions peculiar to the mission. There was unity in all the business proceedings.

The president of the conference and the men in his department attended nearly every meeting. Elder T. B. Buckner and his coworkers are united in earnest efforts to build up the work in Alabama.

The Cumberland Conference Mission camp meeting was held in the historic city of Chattanooga, Tenn., September 7-17. Before the time of the camp meeting Elder H. N. Gemon conducted a course of lectures, creating quite an interest in the message. Elder R. W. Parmele, president of the conference, Elder G. E. Peters, Miss Anna Knight, and the local conference workers assisted in this meeting. There were about one hundred in attendance the last Sabbath. Donations to missions in the Sabbath offerings amounted to $55. This was given in cash.

The camp was composed of twenty tents. The cafeteria tent was as nicely arranged as any I have seen. It was perfectly screened.

The regular business of the mission was conducted harmoniously. This was the first regular mission camp meeting held in this conference. All seemed very much pleased and benefited. It was indeed a training for better service. I am sure such meetings serve as a great unifying factor. Earnest talks were given on general missionary work, on organization, etc., in all these meetings. Resolutions were passed pledging loyalty to the organization, and looking with disfavor upon any movement that tends to divide the body. All were convinced that the third angel's message is a divinely organized gospel movement; therefore to break with the organization is to disconnect from the message.

The last Sabbath will long be remembered in the Cumberland Mission. The entire congregation came forward to renew their consecration to God. Some who had withstood the truth for years testified that they could resist the Spirit of the Lord no longer, and surrendered to God.

Twenty-three united with the churches represented. Sunday morning nineteen were baptized in the Tennessee River, at a point almost directly under Lookout Mountain. This was a very solemn occasion.

Departmental reports showed an addition of one new church. In all, about fifty members, including those who joined at camp meeting, were received into church fellowship.

Mission camp meetings were held in North Carolina and in Mississippi. Good reports come from these meetings also. No doubt others will report them. With the Florida camp meeting, the series of camp meetings for the summer closed. We are thankful to our heavenly Father for what he has done for his people in all of these meetings, and trust that all will prepare to make the camp meetings of next year occasions of even greater blessing. Surely these meetings are ordained of God as one of the strong factors to unify, edify, and build up his people spiritually, and thus prepare them for what is coming upon the earth.

C. B. STEPHENSON.