Mississippi (Colored) Camp-Meeting by W. H. Sebastian; M. C. Strachan

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Oct 6, 1904

Mississippi (Colored) Camp-Meeting

By W. H. Sebastian; M. C. Strachan

THE third annual colored camp-meeting of Mississippi was held at Columbus, August 26 to September 5. This meeting was not so well attended as were the previous camp-meetings among our people in this State, chiefly because of the location of the camp. It was in the northeast corner of our conference, and the expense of traveling was more than many could bear. Nevertheless, a few of the colored companies were represented, and the work at Columbus was strengthened, and the believers were encouraged to “go forward” as never before in the proclamation of the last warning message to a wicked and perverse generation.

This is the second camp-meeting in our State that was operated throughout by colored workers, and they have profited much by the experience. Sister White has said: “Properly conducted, the camp-meeting is a school where pastors, elders, and deacons can learn to do more perfect work for the Master. It should be a school where believers can receive an education that will help them to help others. And by engaging in work at the camp-meeting all may learn how to work successfully in their churches at home.”

This truth was verified at the Columbus meeting, where all bore a part in the work. The colored laborers were given the responsibility of the entire meeting. They planned the course of lectures given. The commandments, the prophecies, and the signs of the times were dwelt upon. The truths presented surely stirred the minds of the listeners.

Many questions were asked by preachers and other interested ones in the audience, and answers were given to the entire satisfaction of all present. Many hearts were convinced of the truth, and openly declared that our position was right. Others were left in the valley of decision. Brother Thomas Murphy, who is laboring at that place, will conduct a series of studies with eight or ten of these, with the hope that, when they see the importance of obedience, they will take a firm stand for the truth, and join the company of ten who now hold forth the banner of truth at Columbus.

The brethren and sisters at the camp-meeting visited the homes of the people daily, and sold a few books and papers, and distributed many tracts. This gave the people who visited our meeting the privilege of having a personal conversation with those of our faith. Hearts were open and free to tell their convictions, and many precious seasons of prayer were held in the homes of the interested ones.

Near the close of our meeting, one brother who had previously taken a stand for the truth, went forward in the ordinance of baptism. All the ordinances of the Lord’s house were celebrated, and this made a deep impression on the minds of the people. Many not of our faith declared that in all their Christian experience they had never had a greater sense of the presence of God.

We gradually won our way into the hearts of the outside people, and many contributed both groceries and money toward the comfort of our visiting brethren and sisters. As we sang the closing song, “God be with you till we meet again,” many were moved to tears, and the people seemed to be very much pained to see our meeting close. Some begged us to stay longer.

From the very beginning of our meeting, the interest increased, and many failed to find a seat under our forty-foot tent during the hour of services. There were always a few visitors at our early morning prayer-meeting. The collections covered the expense of the meeting. The president of our conference, H. G. Thurston, and the principal of the Huntsville Training School, F. R. Rogers, had the pleasure of visiting our meeting before its close. Brother Thurston said that he never heard better singing in all his camp-meeting experiences.

W. H. SEBASTIAN, M. C. STRACHAN.