Arkansas Camp-Meeting by H. SHULTZ

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 11, 1903

Arkansas Camp-Meeting

By H. SHULTZ

This annual camp-meeting was held July 17-27 in a beautiful oak grove in the suburbs of Van Buren. The weather was all that could be asked for; there were no storms to break into our meetings, and three large tents were pitched on the ground, besides twenty-two family tents. One hundred and thirty persons camped on the ground. The Spirit of the Lord melted the hearts of the people, four were buried with their Lord in baptism, to rise and walk in newness of life. The last Sabbath of the meeting was a good day. At the close of a discourse by Elder Nelson, nearly the whole camp came forward to seek a closer and better acquaintance with God, tears flowed freely, fathers and mothers with tearful eyes asking the prayers of God’s servants for their children, wives pleading for their husbands, and husbands pleading for their wives, parents for their children, and children for their parents. The power of God’s Spirit was here, confessions were made, and many who had robbed God promised that they would rob him no more. The accounts of the laborers were audited, but for the lack of means in the treasury, they were paid very small wages, scarcely more than one third as much as a common day laborer receives, and notwithstanding the small wages allowed them, there was not funds enough to settle with them. It still leaves the conference treasury about two hundred and forty dollars in debt to the laborers. The brethren generally are poor. But if all are faithful in paying their tithe into the treasury, this deficiency will soon be canceled. Two new churches were received into the conference. The laborers go forth with new courage, determined to push the work as never before.

The laborers from abroad were Elder N. P. Nelson and son; Elder Flaiz, of Minnesota; Elder McCutchen, of Texas; and the writer. The canvassing work was looked after by Brethren Hardesty and Cummings. Brother Cummings was chosen as State missionary. Quite a number are giving themselves to the canvassing work. The conference business passed off smoothly. Elder J. A. Sommerville was elected president, Brethren Watts, Griffin, Cummings, and Bender were elected to act with the president as conference committee. Sister Flora E. Heermann was chosen as secretary of the conference and tract society. The Arkansas Tract Society was chosen as treasurer of the conference. Altogether, this was one of the most spiritual camp-meetings held in Arkansas for many years. All go to their work and to their homes with new courage. God bless this people, and grant that a large ingathering of souls may be seen the present year.

H. SHULTZ.