UNION CAMP-MEETING AT BILOXI, MISS.
By R. S. Owen
This meeting was a new experience for this field. It was designed for the brethren living in the southern part of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Sickness, high water, and perhaps the want of interest on the part of some, combined to reduce the number below what we had anticipated, so that the prospect looked very unpromising at the opening. Soon all these States were represented by brethren and sisters who had come to join with us in the work of the Lord. The ministers present were Elders S. B. Horton, Wm. Woodford, and the writer, all of whom took part in giving instruction and in the ministry of the Word. Practical godliness, spiritual gifts, the health reform, and the special features of mission work for the South were topics of daily study with the brethren. The sessions at night were devoted to the public, in presenting the leading topics of the present truth. The interest, both among our own people and the public, increased continually to the close. On the second Sunday, which was the last day appointed for the camp-meeting, we repaired to the beach of the Gulf of Mexico just a block from the camp, and after a short service, two persons were buried with their Lord in baptism. A discourse on the Sabbath was given at night to a large audience. The interest is such that we have decided to continue our meetings. Brother Horton and I remain for this purpose. Our brethren and sisters expressed a high appreciation of the blessings and privileges of this meeting, and by vote it was decided to hold another camp-meeting next year somewhere along the coast line, the time and place to be decided by those having charge of the work. We hope to see a good work done at Biloxi before leaving. Two persons have already decided to keep the Sabbath. Our tent is situated in the central part of the town. We are having the attendance of a good class of citizens. A sermon was preached against the Sabbath yesterday, which has increased the interest to hear the truth.