p. 16 | South Carolina Camp Meeting by F. W. Paap

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 8, 1916

South Carolina Camp Meeting

By F. W. Paap

The tenth annual session of the South Carolina Conference and camp meeting was held in Greenville, May 4-14. The location was ideal and the weather very pleasant. In the pitching of the camp, everything was done to make it attractive, an object lesson of neatness, order, and good taste. The attendance of our people was rather smaller than usual. There may have been reasons for this, but all who failed to attend lost a great blessing. These occasions are growing fewer, and the spiritual life they afford is becoming more and more an absolute necessity.

The following paragraph from the conference president's annual address will suffice to show that the Lord is blessing the work and the workers in this needy field:—

A Year of Progress

“When we compare the year 1915 with 1914, we see that splendid progress has been made. During 1915 we gained 102 members, or 33 1-3 per cent. The tithe increased $623.34, a gain of one sixth. The mission funds increased $618.81, or 50 per cent. The Sabbath school offerings show an increase of $522.24, a gain of 84 per cent. The Harvest Ingathering receipts show an increase of $151.22, a gain of 120 per cent. The financial statement of the conference as prepared by the union auditor showed a net loss of $78.89 for 1914, whereas for 1915 the statement showed a net gain of $835.40.”

In harmony with the plan in the Testimonies, the meeting was conducted as a school in which all were instructed how to labor in God's vineyard in winning souls to Christ. One afternoon of the camp meeting was devoted to a field campaign, and nearly all joined heartily in the work of carrying the truth, in the form of the printed page, to the homes of the people. A great blessing came as a result.

The offerings for both the home field and the regions beyond were very gratifying. A spirit of liberality was shown, more than $2,000 being given in cash and pledges. This was indeed good when we consider that there were fewer than seventy adults in attendance.

Elder C. B. Haynes had been laboring in Greenville for some months. There is a new company of Sabbath keepers there, and so it was deemed advisable

that Elder Silas Davis remain to bind off the work, and if possible provide a church home for the new flock. We know the Lord will bless in this work.

Besides the regular conference workers there were present Elder W. H. Branson, president of the union, Elder C. B. Haynes, Prof. Leo Thiel, Brethren D. W. Dillen and W. E. Abernathy, and the writer. Elder J. L. Shuler was again elected president; and with the full confidence of all his coworkers and the church members, he takes up the work anew with courage.

On the last Sunday afternoon fourteen persons went forward in the solemn ordinance of baptism. The spiritual interests of the meeting deepened from day to day. On the last Sabbath morning a consecration service was held, in which all took part. F. W. PAAP.