Tennessee River Conference and Camp-Meeting by C. P. Bollman

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 12, 1912

Tennessee River Conference and Camp-Meeting

By C. P. Bollman

This meeting was held at Camden, Tenn., August 15-25. It was not only the largest meeting ever held in the conference, but it was, to say the least, one of the best in the entire history of this field.

In addition to the ministers and workers of the local conference, there were present Elders S. E. Wight and E. H. Rees, of the Southern Union; Elder O. Montgomery, of Indiana; Elder E. L. Maxwell, of Louisiana; Elder H. B. French, of Texas; and Prof. C. L. Stone, of the Southern Training-school. These brethren all rendered good service in making the meeting a spiritual and financial success.

The business of the conference was transacted quickly and harmoniously. It having been previously understood that the writer, who had had charge of the work of the conference during the last eleven months, had been asked to connect again with the Southern Publishing Association, Elder Maxwell was unanimously chosen president on the first Monday of the meeting. This gave Brother Maxwell an excellent opportunity to become acquainted with all the details of the conference work. A new secretary and treasurer was also chosen, Brother T. E. Pavey, the former secretary having accepted a call to Alabama.

The treasurer's report showed an encouraging gain during the year in both tithes and offerings, and the conference year closed with a substantial balance in the treasury, approximately $1,400.

The book and periodical sales during the year showed an increase of more than $1,500 over the previous year. Five hundred dollars was raised in cash and pledges toward a nine-hundred-dollar tent and camp-meeting fund. Over $200 was raised for the Nashville Sanitarium, in addition to the substantial donations made to that institution in Nashville last winter. Contributions to missions during the meeting amounted to about $750.

During the year Elder W. R. Elliott, of Alabama, and Elder C. A. Hansen, recently pastor of the church at Grand Rapids, Mich., were added to the force of laborers in the Tennessee River Conference. Elder Elliott, who has been in this field about two months, will follow up the good interest developed at Camden, while Elder Hansen, who arrived only in time for the latter part of the camp-meeting, takes charge of the work in Nashville.

The outlook is encouraging. The workers are devoted, the conference is united, and the people are courageous and willing. C. P. BOLLMAN.