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Florida Camp-Meeting

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 9, 1911

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 88, No. 45.

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Florida Camp-Meeting

By Chas. Thompson

The eighteenth annual session of the Florida Conference in connection with the camp-meeting held at Sanford, Fla., is one to be remembered, not only as a pleasant occasion because of the favorable conditions regarding location and weather, but a feast of spiritual blessings.
The fact that Sanford is centrally located and easy of access by boat and rail favored a good attendance, it being larger than at any previous meeting. The grounds were as beautiful and favorable for camping as any we have had. The unity and harmony manifested in all the deliberations of the conference can be well expressed by the psalmist: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.”
Elder W. T. Knox, vice-president of the General Conference, and L. A. Hansen, assistant secretary of the Medical Department, Prof. H. M. Hiatt, V. O. Cole, and the writer, laborers from the union conference, and all the local conference workers were present. All labored earnestly in presenting the message. The magnitude of our work was vividly brought before the people, and its importance was appreciated, as was expressed by the liberal offerings and pledges made. Over $1,000 was pledged and given to foreign missions; in addition $1,000 was appropriated from the tithe to the same needy fields.
The financial report rendered at this meeting showed a marked progress made in the work during the conference year, and that the Lord had abundantly blessed his people. The total amount of tithe for the year was $11,061.06, an increase of nearly $1,000 for the year. The total amount of offerings to missions was $4,490.32,—$1,130 more than that of the previous year.
Aside from the pledges and offerings made to the foreign mission fields, over $1,000 was pledged to the Florida Sanitarium. The new sanitarium building is already started, and it is hoped that a portion of the building at least may be completed and in readiness for the winter patronage. The work at the sanitarium is greatly hampered by lack of room and proper facilities with which to carry on the work.
Pledges were made to the Equipment fund of the Southern Training School at Graysville to the amount of $62.
The pledges and offerings to the Fort Ogden school amounted to $38.60.
The Sabbath-school offering the first Sabbath was $22.33. That for the second Sabbath was $50. The attendance for the last Sabbath was two hundred one.
The report of the Florida Tract Society showed a net gain of $189.82. This society was organized the previous year, and is doing a good work.
The interest of the meeting was increased during the last three days by the presence of Elder G. I. Butler who spoke four times, with his usual vigor, on the great truths of our message.
A canvassers’ institute, conducted by Brethren V. O. Cole and H. A. Shreve, was held at the close of the meeting. A number of canvassers are planning to enter the field.
The camp-meeting for the colored people was held at the same time, only a few blocks distant from the white encampment, so that the ministering brethren were able to visit their camp often, and render efficient service in their meetings. The Negro Mission department has made a marked growth in their work during the year. As a result of the tent effort held in Jacksonville, sixteen were added to the church there.
During the year three tent companies have been in active service. Altogether eighty-four persons united with the churches during the past year on profession of faith and by letter.
The following officers were unanimously elected for the ensuing year: President, R. W. Parmele; secretary and treasurer, Mrs. R. G. Stringer, with the recommendation that a competent stenographer be supplied in the conference office; religious liberty secretary, W. L. Bird; medical secretary, Dr. J. E. Caldwell; Sabbath-school secretary, Mrs. R. G. Stringer; field missionary agent, H. A. Shreve; educational secretary and secretary of young people’s work, B. D. Gullett; executive committee, R. W. Parmele, W. L. Bird, L. T. Crisler, H. A. Shreve, and W. J. Ewing; secretary of young people’s work, Negro Mission department, J. W. Manns; Negro Mission committee, R. W. Parmele, W. L. Bird, and J. W. Manns.
CHAS. THOMPSON.