Carolina Camp Meeting by R. M. Kilgore

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 23, 1902

Carolina Camp Meeting

By R. M. Kilgore

SALISBURY, where the meeting was held, is in the eastern part of North Carolina. It is a large city, at the junction of the Trunk lines of the Southern Railroad. It is a new field, the work of the canvassers this summer being all that it had heard of the message prior to this meeting. The camp was located on a vacant lot, surrounded with residences. With the work done in the city by the canvassers and the distribution of the Camp-Meeting Bulletin, the people became deeply interested, and filled the large tent every night and on Sundays, listening attentively to the word spoken. By actual count nearly five hundred men and women stood around the tent during the entire service, while many, finding no chance to hear, returned to their homes. In our social meetings many not of our people took part in praising the Lord for the light and truth they were receiving. Our people were greatly cheered and strengthened by the presence of the Spirit and power of God. The whole congregation was forward, consecrating themselves, with deep feeling and heart searching, and sinners were converted.

The meetings are to be continued by Elders J. O. Johnston and W. L. McNeely, assisted by a good company of other laborers. The prospect is favorable for a church at Salisbury, for God has certainly much people in that city. He will bless his servants if they keep humble and trust him.

The work in this conference is growing, their numbers are increasing, the calls for labor are more than they can fill; and although their tithes are increasing, the treasury has not sufficient to meet the demands upon it. More workers could be set to work if the conference had the funds. The officers are overwhelmed with the magnitude of the work which they have on their hands. Love and harmony prevail among all the believers.

The meetings of the conference and its departments were made seasons of instruction, and were profitable occasions. But few changes were made in officials.

A proposition from the Southern Missionary Society to transfer the Hildebran school to the conference was received, and it was planned to make it a preparatory school. We hope this may be brought about. Several church schools are contemplated. Some experienced teachers have been secured.

The new corporation provided for by the Southern Union Conference Committee was formed, taking the name of “The Southern Educational Company.” (The statute requires the termination

“company” to all corporations.) The object of this organization is to open and operate schools in the rural districts and among the poor in the cities of the South, outside of, and apart from, our church organizations. The need of such a corporation will appear to all who understand the situation and the purpose of the committee in its inauguration.

This was indeed a precious occasion, a meeting long to be remembered. The prospect is bright for the future of this conference. R. M. KILGORE.