Camp-Meetings in the South-western Union Conference
By Clarence Santee
AFTER the good camp-meeting in Arkansas, we came directly to the Texas meeting, which was held at Alvarado. We had one day to rest between meetings, which some of the visiting brethren spent in a trip to Keene, where the union conference school is located. The large attendance at the Texas camp-meeting was a surprise, as drought had seemed to be an insurmountable obstacle to some. Another good feature was the large attendance from the outside. From night to night hundreds came from a distance of from six to eight miles, and gave the best of attention. Three years ago the meeting was held on the same grounds, with a very small outside attendance. The last night of the meeting Robert French and G. A. Lagrone were ordained to the gospel ministry. Elder L. W. Terry was again unanimously elected president of the conference. Elder E. R. Palmer was with us the first few days of this meeting, but could not remain until the close. His labors were a great help. The West Texas camp-meeting was held at Abilene. At this time a West Texas Conference was organized, Elder T. W. Field was elected president. A goodly sum was subscribed toward the expense of getting conference supplies and a stock of literature for the tract society. This young conference starts out with a courageous corps of workers. Elders W. A. Hennig and W. W. Eastman remained with the local laborers over the last Sabbath and Sunday, while Elder F. W. Spies went to the Kansas meeting, and Elders Sorenson and French, Brother Woodward, and the writer went to the New Mexico meeting at Alamogordo. The trip through southwestern Texas and southern New Mexico was extremely uncomfortable because of heat and dust. This, no doubt, made the surroundings at Alamogordo more highly appreciated. We found the camp located in a beautiful park filled with large trees, carpeted with green grass, and having a fine supply of mountain water, which was carried through the park and along the principal streets in prepared ditches. I have never attended but one other camp that was so beautiful and restful. A New Mexico Conference of Seventh-day Adventists was organized at this meeting. Elder H. L. Hoover, who has been the superintendent of the New Mexico Mission field, was elected president; W. A. T. Miller was ordained to the gospel ministry. The attendance was good, considering the difficulties that must be encountered in traveling in New Mexico. Some who attended traveled by team for five or six days to reach the place of meeting. We feel confident that the work in these new conferences will advance more rapidly, as the local responsibility is felt by a greater number, and they have taken hold with renewed vigor to occupy their places of responsibility. The meeting in New Mexico extended over the first Sabbath of the Oklahoma camp-meeting. Because of this Elder Sorenson and I had to leave before the close. We reached Enid, Okla., in time to spend the Sabbath there. This meeting was also largely attended. I was told that about fourteen hundred fifty were camped on the grounds. The German brethren had a large tent pitched toward the western part of the grounds, and the English toward the eastern part. We were pleased to have the labors of Elder W. A. Spicer during the first days of the meeting. His lessons were highly appreciated, and were a help in molding the meeting all the way through. Elder David Voth was elected president of the conference. The spiritual character of these camp-meetings was excellent. There has been a quiet determination manifested to advance, and real victories were gained. A spirit of loyalty to the message, and to organized effort, was quite marked in all these gatherings, being more prominent than I have before seen. Elders Hennig and Spies labored faithfully in all these meetings, and their efforts added much to the good results that were seen. We have enjoyed their labors with us. Other laborers from outside of the State attended the Oklahoma meeting a part of the time, giving instruction and general help. The first Sabbath of this meeting, at183:20 P. M., a dust-storm came from the north, which for a time tested the tents quite severely. The last Sabbath, about one hour later, another storm—this time a rain-storm—came with such violence that the large tents all went down. The rain came for a short time with great violence; as soon as it abated, the brethren raised the large pavilion, and although things were somewhat wet, the bell rang for the night service on time. Neither elements nor inconveniences can hinder this work, because God is at the helm. We are told that another camp-meeting near us at that time, conducted by the Free Methodists, was completely demolished. The means raised at these meetings, and the objects for which they were raised, will be reported by others. CLARENCE SANTEE,
Pres. Southwestern Union Conf.