p. 18 | The Virginia Camp-Meeting by B. G. Wilkinson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 12, 1911

The Virginia Camp-Meeting

By B. G. Wilkinson

In the city of Richmond, within convenient reach of the car lines, the camp-meeting of the Virginia Conference was held from August 17 to 27, in connection with the business sessions of the conference. There were about twenty-seven tents pitched on the ground, with an average attendance of one hundred of our people. There was a large outside attendance, and much interest was manifested. A tent effort, conducted by Elders C. Sorenson and W. D. MacLay, had been held in the city of Richmond previous to the camp-meeting. I believe the camp-meeting had a good influence in helping to develop the interest aroused by the tent effort.

Although the work in Virginia up to the present time has moved forward slowly, and has been accompanied by many difficulties, yet we think we can say in all good faith that there are many bright omens for better days in this field. The camp-meeting was the best I have ever attended in this State. Revival meetings were held not only on the two Sabbaths of the camp-meeting, but at different times through the week, at which times the power of God was present in a marked degree. Many not of our faith responded to the invitation made for those who wished prayers.

Elder W. J. Stone, of Indiana, was elected president of the conference for the ensuing year. The following-named persons are members of the new executive committee: W. J. Stone, Stewart Kime, R. D. Hottel, J. E. Gardner, and A. J. Painter. Otherwise, practically the same officers as last year were re-elected.

It is with great pleasure that we welcome Elder Stone into the conference. We pray that not only sympathy, but also substantial help in both men and means will accompany Brother Stone into the conference. Very little has been done for the two million people within the bounds of this conference, and yet what little has been done shows that the people of Virginia are just as responsive to the claims of this message as the people of any other State.

God blessed the work of Brother Kime last winter at Stanleyton, and between fifteen and twenty were added to the church there. The tent effort conducted by two licentiates, Brethren Lillie and Gordon, aroused considerable interest in the southern part of the State the past summer. Hundreds of people attended the meetings each night, and when the time for camp-meeting came, many were in the valley of decision. We are looking forward to a good report respecting the closing up of the work in that place. I might speak of other openings equally as promising. If there is one request above another that we wish to make of the brethren who read this article, it is that they would make special mention of Virginia in their prayers.

Aside from the regular conference laborers and the workers from the Columbia Union Conference, Elder W. A. Spicer was with us during the latter part of the meeting.

B. G. WILKINSON.