Report of the South Texas Conference and Camp-Meeting by Eugene Leland

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 7, 1913

Report of the South Texas Conference and Camp-Meeting

By Eugene Leland

THIS meeting was held July 7-17, in a pleasant grove in the north part of the city of Austin, the capital of the State. About one hundred and twenty-five Sabbath-keepers were encamped on the ground, and there were about forty tents pitched, besides the dining-tent, the book-tent, and the large pavilion.

A spirit of unity among the laborers of the conference, as well as among the brethren and sisters, was manifest throughout the entire time of the meeting. There seemed to be a disposition on the part of all to be in harmony with the principles of the message and with the organization that is carrying it.

The evening services were devoted principally to sermons on the doctrines of the message, for the benefit of the general public. During the day the preaching was of a more practical nature, calculated to encourage the brethren and sisters in the Christian life, and it was heartily responded to by the people.

The attendance from the outside was not so great as was desired, though there was sufficient interest so that the conference officers felt justified in continuing the services after the close of the camp-meeting as long as the interest might demand.

The business of the conference was conducted in a perfectly harmonious manner, and was concluded about the middle of the meeting, thus leaving the remainder of the time to be devoted entirely to the spiritual interests. The last Sabbath and Sunday were especially good days. The Spirit of God was manifested in great power, and all the campers consecrated themselves anew to the service of God. Several made a start for the first time to live the Christian life, and a number went forward in the ordinance of baptism, which was administered in a Christian church near by, the use of which for the purpose was offered gratuitously by the pastor and his congregation. There was a hearty and unanimous response to a resolution adopting the twenty-cent-a-week plan of raising money for missionary purposes.

The book work was represented by Elder A. F. Harrison, the general agent for the Southwestern Union, and in his usual vigorous way he filled the whole camp with enthusiasm for this work.

Elder J. I. Taylor, who has served the conference as president since its organization, requested to be relieved from the responsibility of the office, and was succeeded by my brother, Elder J. A. Leland. The other officers of the conference were practically the same as last year. Besides the regular laborers of the conference, there were present at the meeting Elder G. F. Watson, president of the union conference; Elder W. A. McCutchen, president of the North Texas Conference, Prof. C. B. Hughes, principal of Keene Academy; Elder J.

P. Anderson, of China; and the writer.

The finances of the conference are in fairly good condition, and with the favorable prospects, coupled with the blessing of God, there is every reason to believe that the South Texas Conference will soon take its place as one of the strong conferences of North America.

EUGENE LELAND.