Southern Illinois Camp-Meeting by K. C. Russell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 28, 1911

Southern Illinois Camp-Meeting

By K. C. Russell

The Southern Illinois Conference camp-meeting was held September 1-10, at Shelbyville, a town of some five thousand inhabitants, located about two hundred miles south of Chicago. The meeting was held on the same ground as last year, a most delightful place for such purposes. It is a Chautauqua ground, and is kept in excellent condition, with its beautiful carpet of green grass, and many stately elm and walnut trees, which furnish abundant shade. The camp was illuminated each night with electric lights. It also contains all the accessories of an up-to-date Chautauqua, among which is an auditorium with a seating capacity of six thousand. This was used by the campers when the ground was wet. A commodious dining-hall and other buildings were at the disposal of the campers. There is also an artificial lake on the ground, with a large swimming-pool attached. This served as an ideal baptistery. Thirteen willing candidates went forward in this sacred rite the last Sabbath afternoon of the meeting.

The attendance of our people was excellent, but the outside attendance was not large. This was attributed to the fact that it was the second camp-meeting which had been held in this place. A series of tent-meetings had also been

conducted in the center of the town immediately following the first camp-meeting, which resulted in bringing out quite a company of Sabbath-keepers. Notwithstanding the small attendance of those not of our faith, it is expected that several who did attend will take their stand for the truth.

The preaching services were largely on practical subjects, and were designed to build up our own people. Both Sabbath services were characterized by much of the Holy Spirit's presence. The mission talks, which were given by Elders J. J. Westrup and W. W. Miller, were greatly appreciated by all. There was a deep interest manifested by the people in behalf of the religious liberty work, as was evidenced by the fact that over six hundred subscriptions for the magazines Liberty and Protestant were secured at the close of a lecture on religious liberty.

The remaining amount of the $300,000 Fund that had not already been provided for, was received in cash and pledges during the meeting. Those in charge of the work in that conference think that the whole amount of this fund will be paid in by Dec. 31, 1911.

Elder E. A. Bristol was unanimously elected conference president for another term. Sister Edith McClellan was elected conference secretary, and Sister Nettie Eaton secretary and treasurer of the tract society and also treasurer of the conference. Sister Edith Shepard was elected educational and Sabbath-school secretary.

It was gratifying to observe the prosperity which has attended the church-school work in this conference during the past year.

It was a source of satisfaction to those in charge of the work to be able to secure each day two or more columns in the daily newspapers in which to report the meetings. This feature should not be overlooked wherever any of our camp-meetings are held.

K. C. RUSSELL.