Florida Conference and Camp-Meeting by R. T. Dowsett

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 24, 1910

Florida Conference and Camp-Meeting

By R. T. Dowsett

Through an oversight a report of this meeting has not been given through the columns of the Review, but we believe many who are interested in the progress of the work in Florida will be glad to have the details of this meeting even at this late date.

The camp was pitched on a commodious lot in the center of the city of Orlando. The Florida Conference did everything in its power to make the campers comfortable, and the meeting was a most pleasant one, as well as very profitable. It was the opinion of many that it was the best meeting that the Florida Conference had ever held. The laborers from abroad were Elders A. G. Daniells, W. A. Westworth, C. B. Stephenson, Brother V. O. Cole, and the writer.

The conference was held two days before the camp-meeting proper began. Nearly all the churches in the conference were well represented, and the business passed off very harmoniously. Elder R. W. Parmele was re-elected president, with a strong committee to sustain him in his administration. Mrs. R. G. Stringer was re-elected secretary and treasurer. Brother E. R. Button, who had recently entered the State, was elected field missionary agent.

During the year there was a gain in membership of about one hundred persons, and three new churches had been organized. There was a gain of over two thousand dollars in the tithe receipts, and a substantial gain in the amount of offerings contributed to missions, so that Florida will average twelve cents a week a member for 1909, while in 1908 the average was but five cents a week a member. There was an encouraging increase in the number of books sold during the year. Florida starts out with good prospects of doing some real aggressive work for the current conference year.

Elder Daniells's labor was very much appreciated by the brethren and sisters in attendance. The meeting throughout was a most excellent one. The preaching services were very practical, the evening services being devoted to the outside interest. Elder Parmele, with several of the Florida workers, had held meetings for a few weeks preceding the camp-meeting. We had the pleasure of seeing some take their stand for the truth as the camp-meeting progressed.

The brethren gave in cash and pledges nearly seven hundred dollars for the work in the local and union conferences; and nine hundred dollars was given toward missions. The conference also voted to appropriate two hundred fifty dollars of its tithe to the General Conference. We believe this is the first conference in the South to make a move in this direction, and we are glad to see the cause rising in the great Southland.

The Florida Sanitarium has enjoyed a good patronage for the first year of its existence. The force of workers has been small, but excellent work has been done, and a number of patients have been greatly benefited. There is a bright prospect for the Orlando Sanitarium. Its location is ideal; and with so many natural advantages, the institution is placed where it can be a great blessing to suffering humanity.

The brethren in attendance at the meeting returned home with greatly renewed courage and a determination to do more in the future than has been done in the past.

R. T. DOWSETT.