The Virginia Camp-Meeting and Conference
By John Nevins Anderson
"This is the best camp-meeting I have ever attended." This was the testimony of no less than eight persons on the last Sabbath of the Virginia camp-meeting held on the water-front in the outskirts of the city of Portsmouth, August 14-24. The different sections of the State were quite well represented, though the attendance was much smaller than in previous years, possibly due to the fact that the meeting was held in the eastern part of the State. However, when it is remembered that the meeting was two-ply, that is, there were two camp-meetings instead of one (one for white people and one for colored people, in different parts of the city), the annual feast was by no means insignificant, even in point of numbers. About one hundred were present in the white section and about sixty in the colored. In the case of both the outside attendance was good. These interests are being followed up by workers who remain to gather up and bind off. Apart from the regular conference laborers, there were present from the General and union conferences Elder W. W. Prescott and Prof. B. G. Wilkinson; Elder D. C. Babcock and Brother S. M. Konigmacher, of Africa; Prof. E. G. Salisbury, Brother I. D. Richardson, and the writer. All the preaching was practical, emphasizing the need of vital godliness by the power of the Holy Spirit in view of the nearness of the great day of the Lord. Much emphasis was placed on God's willingness and abundant provision to bless his people. The true meaning of God's infinite grace in saving his people from their sins was set forth. The several lines of work, such as the canvassing, the young people's, and the educational, were well looked after. A considerable number of young men and women are entering the work directly or preparing to enter some school in which to prepare for the work. Under the leadership of Elder W. J. Stone the Virginia Conference showed substantial gains both financially and numerically. The increase in membership for the past year was one hundred. The tithe had increased twenty per cent. One church of twenty-four members was admitted to the conference. Some were awaiting baptism, but this was postponed until a18later date. At the request of Elder Stone, his name was not considered as a candidate for the presidency for the coming year. However, on a motion from the floor he was unanimously chosen to continue in that office until the union and local conference committees can select a man to fill the place. The remaining officers of the conference were reelected, with one or two exceptions. In the white section the Sabbath-school offerings amounted to $105; and when a call was made to give for the work in heathen lands, there was a response and $530 was pledged to be paid before the end of the present year. May the God of all grace and blessing abundantly bless his people in Virginia, and make them fruitful and full of courage, and cause them to know in their hearts that their "labor is not in vain in the Lord."