Nashville (Tenn.) Camp-Meeting for Colored People by Sydney Scott; M. C. Strachan

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Oct 4, 1906

Nashville (Tenn.) Camp-Meeting for Colored People

By Sydney Scott; M. C. Strachan

A CAMP-MEETING for the colored people of the Tennessee River Conference was held in Nashville, August 23 to September 2, the same time that the camp-meeting for the white people was held.

Besides the large audience tent, six family tents were pitched which provided sleeping quarters for over thirty campers. The audience tent was provided with comfortable canvas seats, a good organ, and a very neat and attractive platform. The motto placed over the platform in large letters was, “The Coming King Is at the Door.”

In many respects this camp-meeting was a profitable one. The weather was excellent; and the visiting Sabbath-keepers, together with the local church, made a company of about forty believers. The average attendance at the night meetings from the outside was from one hundred to three hundred. A good interest was aroused, and it seemed advisable to continue the meetings after the close of the camp-meeting proper.

The colored laborers were Elder Sydney Scott, of Kansas City, Dr. L. C. Isbell, of Birmingham, Ala., and the local worker, Brother M. C. Strachan. The holding of the meeting at the same time that the white camp-meeting was held, made it convenient for the General Conference, union conference, and local conference workers to be present.

A large number of children were present, and separate meetings were held for them. Dr. Isbell and Sister Julia Lowe looked after their interests. The last Sabbath of the camp-meeting an old-time revival service was held, and a few gave their hearts to God for the first time. A wave of deep contrition swept over the entire camp, and many renewed their covenant with God, and consecrated their all to his service. That was a heart-searching day in the camp, and one long to be remembered. At the going down of the sun on that glorious Sabbath-day, in a solemn and impressive service Brother M. C. Strachan was set apart to the full work of the gospel ministry. Early Sunday morning, the last day of the camp, eight dear souls were baptized in the Cumberland River.

A few souls took a firm stand as the result of the meetings, and many others called for further instruction, so the camp-meeting is now being followed by a tent effort.

SYDNEY SCOTT, M. C. STRACHAN.