Birmingham (Ala.) Colored Camp-Meeting
By T. B. Buckner
The second annual camp-meeting for the colored people of Alabama was held, according to appointment, at Birmingham, September 10-20. All the colored churches of the State were represented. Forty-two persons camped on the grounds. We held four meetings each day, besides the children's meeting, which was conducted by Sisters Wilson and Whitman, assisted by others. Elder A. Barry, of Nashville, Tenn., assisted me in the preaching services. Also Brother Chatman, of the Oakwood school, occupied the eleven o'clock hour in Bible talks. Sisters E. Patterson and Ella Sanks, of the Oakwood school, gave health talks at the tent, and lessons on cooking at the homes of several. These were highly appreciated. Prof. B. E. Nicola labored in the interests of the Oakwood school, and Brother C. J. Dart in the interests of the canvassing work. We spent the early morning hour in seeking the Lord and studying the Testimonies. When we read, on page 237 of Volume VII, that “our churches in the South are to have a spiritual resurrection,” all felt that we needed such an experience in order to make that meeting a success. The Lord came very near to us. Sins were confessed and put away, and all promised not to rob the Lord any more in tithes and offerings. The burden was lifted from many hearts, and backslidden members came back to the fold. The outside attendance was not large. The Lord gave us six dear souls from the enemy's ranks. All of these but one followed their Lord in baptism, with seven of the Birmingham church who desired to be baptized into the third angel's message. We continued evening meetings for a week after the close of the camp-meeting. We believe a good impression was made on all who attended, and we rejoice in the Lord, and give him the praise for the success of the meeting. The church-school question for colored children was a perplexing one there, as in many other parts of the South. In this State, with about six hundred thousand colored people, we have only three schools, and these are struggling for existence. If any who read these lines wish to help in this work, donations of money or provisions will be thankfully received. All gifts should be accompanied with a note stating for which school they are20intended—the Birmingham (colored), Juniata (colored), or Montgomery (colored). Cash donations may be sent to Brother C. E. Giles, Attalla, Ala. If you desire further information, please write to W. L. McNeeley, 121 N. Seventeenth Street, Birmingham, Ala.; C. E. Giles, Attalla, Ala.; or to the writer, “Charity Mission,” Montgomery, Ala. We are thankful for the help given to these schools in the past, and to the colored work generally. But, my dear friends, will you not come to our rescue in this trying time, and help us to keep these few schools in operation? Please let us hear from you. We are told in a recent Testimony that the Lord accepts the work being done in all these schools for colored people in the South.