THE KENTUCKY CAMP-MEETING by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 23, 1879

THE KENTUCKY CAMP-MEETING.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

This meeting was held Oct. 1-7, at Powder Mills, Ky., about seventy-five miles south of Louisville. The weather was very dry and hot during the whole meeting. There were about seventy-five Sabbath-keepers on the grounds, mostly from Kentucky. The outside attendance was good. The writer, Eld. Osborn, Bro. Bowers, and Eld. G. K. Owen and wife, did the preaching. Good attention was paid, and a deep interest was taken in the word spoken. Two prayer and social meetings were usually held each day. The brethren and sisters manifested promptness in taking part in these meetings.

Sabbath afternoon we had a solemn, melting meeting. About fifteen came forward for prayers, and all spoke feelingly. Sunday Bro. Osborn baptized eleven of these. Sunday evening we had excellent freedom in presenting the temperance question to a crowded tent. As usual, some of our brethren felt rather opposed to signing the pledge; but that evening fifty-five signed the teetotal pledge, and the next day there were only two or three of all on the ground who had not signed it. When we consider that this was in the South, where tobacco, tea, and coffee are used far more commonly than in the North, we feel well satisfied with the result. Bro. Osborn has worked faithfully in enlightening the people on these points.

Financially, the Conference has done far better than it did the previous year. After paying all bills, about $50 was left in the treasury. And yet many have failed to pay their tithes. In a Conference so small and weak as this one, every member ought faithfully to bring in all the tithes. Eld. R. G. Garrett will now join Eld. Osborn in labor, which will nearly double the expense of the Conference. What will the friends of the cause in Kentucky do? Will they support these men? We feel confident that they will.

The Conference is greatly behind in the matter of transacting business properly, and in keeping its records. Indeed, there was not a single set of blank books of any kind in the whole Conference. Steps were here taken to remedy this. The State secretary will attend the commercial college at Battle Creek. We found here more than an average proportion of really talented young women and several young men who can be very useful in the cause if they will but try. Quite a number will go immediately to our college.

We are glad to find the brethren all in harmony, and hopeful in the work. There is a good prospect before the cause in this State if more labor can be bestowed here. It was decided to divide the Kentucky and Tennessee Conference.

All say that this was the best Conference yet held in the State. Tuesday morning we had a parting social meeting, in which every one took part. May they live out the good vows here made. D. M. CANRIGHT.