The Pietermaritzburg (Natal) General Meeting by R. C. Porter

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 7, 1912

The Pietermaritzburg (Natal) General Meeting

By R. C. Porter

THE general meeting held at Pietermaritzburg, Natal, South Africa, August 15-25, was a very successful one. It was not largely attended, and was designed to accommodate our people living in Natal who could not attend the camp-meeting to be held at Johannesburg in October. As the conference was to be held at the October meeting, this meeting was entirely free from business.

A portion of the work each day was practical convention work. Carefully prepared papers were read and discussed. Great interest was taken in the study of all departments of church work. No spirit of lightness was manifest at any time. A deep sense of the solemnity and importance of our times prevailed, and it was a season of earnest study that all might become more efficient workers in carrying the message to the people while still there is time to win souls to the kingdom.

The only ministers present were Pastor H. J. Edmed and the writer. Dr. J. J. Bell, the sanitarium nurses, the canvassers, and Sister Annie Strachan and Brother E. Howard, Bible workers in Natal, were present, and took a deep interest in the spiritual work of the meeting.

Daily studies were conducted in church discipline. These were made consecration services, and many gained a deeper Christian experience as the result.

The outside attendance at the evening services was small at the beginning, but it gradually increased until the house was well filled at the close. On the whole, the meeting was very profitable, and we are confident that it will bear fruit to the glory of God.

R. C. PORTER.