South Texas Camp-Meeting
By O. B. Watson
THE South Texas conference and camp-meeting convened at San Antonio, Tex., June 27 to July 7. This meeting was well attended. From the very first, the Lord came near to his people, and a good spirit prevailed on the ground throughout the session. Elder J. A. Leland put forth a special effort for the Spanish-speaking people; and though bound down by Catholicism, some took their stand for the truth. The first Sabbath of the camp-meeting was the thirteenth Sabbath of the quarter. After a very interesting class study of twenty minutes, Elder G. F. Watson gave a short talk on missionary work, speaking especially of the mission station that we hope soon to open in Africa. The offering was then taken, to which there was a hearty response. Two churches of the South Texas Conference, San Antonio and Austin, had already made their offering for this work, which amounted to more than $28. The donation that was taken up on the camp-ground amounted to $43.88, making a total for the South Texas Conference of more than $71. Over $5 of this amount was given by the little Spanish class. Practically the same staff of officers was elected, with Elder J. I. Taylor as president. Miss Schramm was elected secretary of the Missionary Volunteer, Sabbath-school, and educational departments. This office was formerly held by Mrs. G. F. Watson, who resigned to take up work in the Keene Academy. Brother Myers, who had been laboring in Mexico in behalf of the canvassing work, was elected to take charge of the Spanish magazine work in the South Texas Conference. The last Sabbath was indeed a good one. Elder Watson occupied the eleven o'clock hour, and brought from the blessed Word of God the lesson of the great price that was paid that we might have eternal life. A call was then made for those who wished to follow their16Lord in baptism to come forward, and a goodly number responded. Elder Taylor spoke at the three o'clock hour, showing the importance of being baptized and of taking our Heavenly Father as our only guide. We then went to the river, where eleven persons were buried with their Lord in the watery grave; two of these, we are glad to say, were Spanish. We feel especially to thank God that these individuals who have been bound down in such darkness, are now witnesses for him. This is the first of the six meetings to be held in this union, and we indeed feel that we need the prayers of the brethren and sisters that our Christian experience may be deeper than ever before, so that when that great day comes, which can not be far off, we may all be able to say, "Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us."