Natal-Transvaal (S. A.) Camp-Meeting by E. R. Williams

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 28, 1908

Natal-Transvaal (S. A.) Camp-Meeting

By E. R. Williams

RECENTLY I had the privilege of attending the Natal-Transvaal Conference and camp-meeting held in Durban, April 2-12. Durban is a beautiful town of about fifty thousand inhabitants, situated on the Indian Ocean, southeast coast of Africa. The climate is sub-tropical, and there is an abundance of tropical fruit the year around.

The conference is a large one, territorially, covering an area of about one hundred fifty thousand square miles. The population, including Europeans, Hebrews, Asiatics, and natives, is about two million five hundred thousand. Of the Europeans, upon whom most of the work of the little band of laborers must be bestowed, there are about three hundred eighty-five thousand. These are scattered over all this large territory; and thus it will be seen that the work in such a field must be harder and more expensive of execution than in the more densely populated districts. Notwithstanding the difficulties, the work is moving forward, and God is blessing the efforts to spread the message. During the last two years there has been an increase in the membership of the conference of over eighty souls. The tithe and other receipts for the year 1907, were as follows: Tithes, £715, 12s, 1d; Sabbath-school offerings, £69, 10d; First-day offerings, £26, 16s, 5d. The book sales amounted to £1369 1s. The amount of book sales for 1907 was somewhat less than for 1906; but four of the canvassing force had left for other fields or other work, thus reducing the force to a mere handful. When we remember that Africa is passing through a very severe financial crisis, we have reason to thank God that the work has gone so well.

There were about eighty brethren and sisters from the different parts of the field in attendance at the camp-meeting. Besides the resident workers there were present Elder W. S. Hyatt and the writer. The blessing of God came into the meetings in marked measure, and so far as I know there were none upon the ground who did not have a good Christian experience. Even the children told how God was blessing them.

The different departments of the message were considered at the meetings, and there was a hearty response from the people to all phases of the work. The brethren in this field are a loyal people, and I believe there is as high a standard maintained here as in any country in the world. The evening meetings were conducted especially with a view of interesting the public, and the work in the tent will be continued after the camp-meeting.

The officers elected for the ensuing year were as follows: President, H. J. Edmed; Vice-president, J. C. Bauman; Secretary and Treasurer, F. Macdonald. Executive Committee: H. J. Edmed, J. C. Bauman, F. Macdonald, D. H. Groenewald, A. Beissner, R. Bell, J. H. De Beer. Sabbath-school Secretary, Miss A. Strachan; Secretary of Young People's Societies, Miss M. E. Robertson; Field Missionary Agent, H. J. Edmed, assisted by D. H. Groenewald. Credentials and licenses were granted to the following persons: Credentials, H. J. Edmed, D. H. Groenewald. Ministerial license, W. H. Haupt. Missionary licenses, Sisters A. Edmed, M. E. Robertson, A. Strachan, and I. Groenewald; also to Brother F. Macdonald. Colporteur licenses were given to T. G. Grouch, H. Schmidt, and Miss C. Dixie.

Our prayers go with this little band as they go forth to another year's work, and we shall hope that the fruit gathered for the Master may be more abundant than ever before.

E. R. WILLIAMS.