The Florida Camp-Meeting by C. S. Longacre

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Dec 25, 1913

The Florida Camp-Meeting

By C. S. Longacre

The annual conference and camp-meeting of the Florida Conference were held in a beautiful pine grove on the banks of a picturesque lake in Lakeland, from October 30 to November 9. The weather was ideal. The location could not have been better. It was the largest camp-meeting ever held in the State of Florida. All the tents were filled and about twenty rooms were engaged. An excellent spirit of harmony and good will prevailed in all the meetings. The people were aglow with the missionary spirit. Over $8,000 was contributed in cash and pledges for foreign missions and the local needs. This brought great encouragement and inspiration into the camp.

The president, Elder W. H. Heckman, gave a very inspiring report of the progress of the work in the conference during the past year. Over one hundred new members were added to the church during the year, and in addition to this, twenty-six were baptized the last Sunday of the camp-meeting. Quite a little over $6,000, including cash and pledges, was raised for foreign missions. Over $1,800 was pledged for the new improvements of the Florida Sanitarium at Orlando. We were glad to learn that the Florida Sanitarium made a net gain of a little over $2,000 the past year in operating expenses. Dr. R. S. Ingersoll and wife, of Richmond, Va., were elected to take charge of the sanitarium. There is no question but that the Florida Sanitarium has a great future before it. It is situated in the most popular center of the tourist section of Florida, and is bound to become a center of light, attraction, and influence.

There was an increase of over $1,200 in the tithes, and an increase of over $1,500 in offerings to missions, during the last fiscal year. Judging from the way that the people gave to missions, there is no doubt but that the Florida Conference will more than meet the twenty-cent-a-week per capita this year.

Elder W. H. Heckman was unanimously reelected president for the ensuing year. He is of excellent courage as he takes up the work for another year. Brother W. M. Lee was elected secretary and treasurer for the conference and tract society for another year, and he, too, is of good spirit in his new field. Brother Dillon was reelected to the great work of getting the publications before the people. Mrs. R. G. Stringer was reelected to the Sabbath-school and young people's work. Besides the regular conference workers, there were present Elders Geo. I. Butler, O. Montgomery, and C. B. Stephenson, Prof. C. L. Stone, and the writer. An excellent interest was awakened in the town of Lakeland, and the brethren planned to hold a special effort after the camp-meeting was over. The Lord came very near to his people, especially during both Sabbath services. Sinners were converted and backsliders reclaimed. Reconciliations were effected. Many confessions were made, and deeper and more heartfelt consecrations to the message for this time were made than ever before. It was truly a heavenly meeting, and eternity alone will reveal its far-reaching results. It was with much regret that we left the place that had been such a Bethel to our souls and a refreshment to our spirits.

C. S. LONGACRE.