The Camp-Meeting for Colored Believers in Lawrence, Kans.
By J. W. Allison
The first annual joint meeting for the colored brethren and sisters of the East Kansas and North Missouri Conferences was held on one of the most beautiful squares in South Lawrence, August 29 to September 8. The weather was ideal, and everything favorable for a good meeting. The number of those who camped on the grounds ranged from twenty-five to ninety; from East Kansas there were forty-eight and from North Missouri forty-two in attendance. The Spirit of the Lord was present in every service. The outside attendance was excellent. Some requested that the meeting should continue, that they might hear more of these vital truths for this time. The Spirit of the Lord surely brooded over the encampment. There was not a discordant note heard during the whole time. Elders W. H. Clark and J. M. Campbell, and Brethren E. T. Wilson and R. L. Bradford, and the writer assisted in the meetings. The spiritual interest was the best I ever witnessed. Two capable leaders were appointed over the children’s, young people’s, and mothers’ meetings, who looked after the spiritual needs. During the meeting, ten persons went forward in baptism; and others were to be baptized when they returned to their home churches. The leading feature of the meeting was the practical instruction given during the early morning services, and the Holy Spirit’s influence that sealed it in each heart. At the evening meetings, where there was a large outside attendance, some vital phase of the message was presented. The Lord surely graced the meeting with his presence. It was a holy convocation in the truest sense of the word. It was good to be there. After the meeting was over, Elder Campbell and the writer stayed two or three days to follow up the interest, and in our visits from home to home three persons accepted the Sabbath truth. The brethren and sisters who attended this camp-meeting came with hearts open and receptive to the teachings of the Spirit, and all went home full of courage, strengthened for the great battle of the Lord, and determined to carry out the glorious instruction found in 2 Sam. 10:12. We wish to thank our conference brethren for planning this meeting.