The Arkansas Camp-Meeting by Clarence Santee

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 26, 1909

The Arkansas Camp-Meeting

By Clarence Santee

THIS meeting was held at Fayetteville, Ark. The camp was located where large trees made a good shade, and gave an added influence of quiet to the grounds.

Elders W. A. Hennig and F. W. Spies were with us throughout the meeting, besides Elders W. W. Eastman and S. Sorenson, and the writer, from outside the State conference. Elder E. R. Palmer came about the middle of the meeting.

Elder Watts, the conference president, had all matters well arranged, and there was no breaking into the interest by any unfinished work. This is as it should be. Many times the first days of a camp-meeting have been so filled with camp work that the best results could not be attained.

From the first meeting, there was a manifest desire to learn more of the will of God, and instruction concerning personal duty and responsibility was a prominent feature. Regular meetings were held, in a separate tent, for the youth and children. The first Sabbath about twenty-five came forward to seek the Lord.

From day to day the interest deepened. The last Sabbath was an especially good day for the camp. From an attendance of about one hundred seventy-five, one hundred fifty arose for prayers for added strength to overcome known sins, and more than thirty came forward for special help. A large number of these were seeking God for the first time. At a special meeting later, thirteen applied for baptism.

The attendance was not so large as last year, but the spiritual influence of the meeting was excellent. Those who absent themselves from these annual feasts, lose one of the greatest means for strength, added courage, and final victory. Many testified that this had been, for them, the best meeting they ever attended.

At the closing hour of the last Sabbath, Elder Watts conducted a social meeting in which seventy-nine testified in fifteen minutes. I need not say that this was an interesting meeting, as forgetfulness of self and a desire to make room for others, always brings a blessing.

The business meetings of the conference passed off harmoniously. At the urgent request of the president and the secretary, they were relieved from office, so that they might devote their time to other lines of work. Their labors have been appreciated, and doubtless they would have continued in office if they had felt willing to carry the burdens for another year. Elder J. W. Norwood was unanimously elected conference president, and Brother C. J. Dart conference secretary and treasurer.

The last day of this good meeting, Brother Leslie Littell was ordained to the gospel ministry as a white laborer, and Brethren R. H. Deveraux and J. W. Dancer were ordained as colored ministers.

Throughout the meetings, Elder Hennig carried a series of lessons on true liberty, which were appreciated; while Elder Spies gave lessons on practical daily relations to God and his truth. Elder Palmer gave some very interesting lessons on the spread of the message, and the means God had used in bringing this truth throughout the world to its present standing.

Another mile-post has been passed in the Arkansas Conference, and the last one will soon be reached. May God richly bless both laborers and members in their onward journey.

CLARENCE SANTEE, Pres. Southwestern Union Conf.