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New Mexico and Oklahoma Camp-Meetings

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 10, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 41.

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New Mexico and Oklahoma Camp-Meetings

By F. C. Gilbert

The New Mexico camp-meeting and annual conference were held in Fort Sumner, N. Mex., a railroad town of about five hundred inhabitants. Our brethren and sisters are so scattered throughout the State that in order to have as many together as possible at an annual convocation, it is necessary to have the meeting at some point accessible to the largest number.
Tent-meetings were held in Fort Sumner about ten days before the camp-meeting, and many had become somewhat interested in present truth.
About fifty of our own people were in attendance. The constituency of the New Mexico Conference is not very large, but the people are very loyal and devoted. Some of the brethren and sisters came a long distance, and the blessing of the Lord richly repaid them for their effort.
Daily Bible studies were held for a number of days, and many precious things were brought forth from the treasure-house of the Word. Elder Geo. F. Watson labored hard and faithfully. The labors of the workers were appreciated.
Both Sabbaths were precious seasons, and nearly every soul surrendered before the camp-meeting was over. All went to their homes with the feeling that the Lord had met with his people, and they were much strengthened in their faith. The evening meetings were well attended. We thank God for victory.
Elder V. B. Watts, of the Arkansas Conference, was elected president of the conference, and Brother W. R. Goss, of Texas, was invited to act as secretary-treasurer.
One Jewish woman has accepted the truth, and her husband now closes his business on the Sabbath. The tent effort was continued after the camp-meeting closed, and several persons have begun the observance of the Sabbath.
In addition to the regular laborers of the conference, there were present Brethren G. F. Watson, O. B. Watson, and A. F. Harrison from the union conference, and the writer.
On reaching the Oklahoma camp-ground in Oklahoma City, I found that all things were in readiness before the camp-meeting began. The camp was located in an excellent place, and particular care was taken in the arranging of the tent. It was as fine a looking camp-ground as I have seen. I was unable to attend more than the first half of the meeting. The Lord was surely present by his Holy Spirit. There were about six hundred of our own people present, and among these were a number of German brethren. Meetings were held daily in both the English and the German, and the evening attendance from without was quite good. I understand there were a number of ministers of other denominations present, and they seemed much interested in the truths presented.
Meetings of the conference were held each day. The conference did not make as good a showing financially as in years gone by. We do not believe this is due to a lack of faithfulness on the part of the people, but rather to the drought in this State. For three years the drought has wrought much distress in Oklahoma, but a crop seems assured this year.
When the matter of the Fifteen-cent-a-week Fund was taken up, and the people's attention was called to the needs of the mission fields, nearly four thousand dollars was raised in cash and pledges. Surely these brethren and sisters were desirous of helping forward the work of God. The prospects for the work in Oklahoma look encouraging, and we hope that the Lord will graciously bless his people.
The conference officials remain the same as last year. A number of brethren from outside the conference were present during the meeting. Elders J. H. Schilling and G. F. Haffner were present to help the German brethren; and Brother J. F. Simon, of the Clinton German Seminary, and Brother Sybil, of Dakota, were also in attendance, and rendered helpful service.
I greatly enjoyed meeting with our brethren and sisters in the Southwestern Union Conference, and shall ever feel that the summer was one of blessing and power. May God bless the work and the workers in the Southwestern Union Conference.
F. C. GILBERT.