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West Texas Camp-Meeting

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Sep 5, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 36.

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West Texas Camp-Meeting

By F. C. Gilbert

THE West Texas conference and camp-meeting were held in the city of Abilene, Tex., August 1-11. Although there had been terrible droughts in that section of the State for several years, there was a good attendance of our people. On account of the North Texas camp-meeting continuing until August 4, the writer did not reach the West Texas camp-meeting until Monday, August 5. The blessing of the Lord was present at the meeting from the very beginning; and although there were conditions of a somewhat complicated nature existing in this conference, we are glad that the Holy Spirit was present, and a great victory was won in the camp.
It was especially encouraging to see how the Lord worked for the young people, and there were quite a number who gave their hearts to the Lord for the first time. A goodly number also of them who had been backslidden from God gave their hearts anew to the Lord.
Some confessed to their having robbed God in tithes and offerings. As a result, their own souls had been robbed of the peace of God and of the joys of salvation. It is impossible for persons who know this truth and who know the calls of duty, to enjoy freedom in the Lord Jesus while they are dishonest with God. May the Lord help all his people to be true to him and to be honest with their Maker.
It was evident that God had been doing a real work on the hearts of the people; for when the call was given to contribute to missions to make up what was behind on the Fifteen-cent-a-week Fund, in less than three minutes the people made up this deficiency; and for some time after, they were constrained by the Spirit to give liberally. Several hundred dollars more than their quota was given to missions, and we hope that God will bless the people for their spirit of liberality. It was remarkable how willing the people were to give. This simply illustrates the fact that when the Holy Spirit reaches the hearts of men and women, they are willing to show their appreciation to the Lord Jesus by returning to him a portion of what he has given to them. Besides the offerings to missions, about eighty-five dollars was donated to the Jewish home.
The workers from outside the conference were Elder G. F. Watson, president of the Southwestern Union, and his son; Elder E. E. Farnsworth, to represent the young people's work; Brother A. F. Harrison, to represent the book and publishing work; and the writer.
The proceedings of the conference passed off harmoniously, and the same officers were reelected. There was a good outside interest to hear the truth, and night after night the audiences,which were large and interested, gave excellent attention as they listened to the word of God. A number of the townspeople were much stirred, and it seems that the time is ripe for a good work.
The different departments of the conference received their proper attention, and we hope that the blessing of the Lord will attend the work and the workers of the West Texas Conference during the coming year. F. C. GILBERT.