Experience this past summer confirmed my conviction that a rural tent effort can still be held with little expense, and yet produce gratifying results. Brother J. R. Perkins and I pitched a tent at a crossroads twelve miles west of Statesboro, Georgia, in early July. Only a farmhouse and a filling station were in sight of our tent. We cut our stakes and lantern poles from the trees surrounding the tent. The platform, rostrum, and seats were made of lumber from an old barn.
From the opening night, throughout the eight weeks, with a meeting every night, our usual attendance was from 250 to 300, and very seldom had we less than 100 in our audience. During the last few weeks we held meetings only five nights a week, and after the eight weeks of services we baptized eleven and received one on profession of faith. We left our tent standing for three more months, in which to hold Sabbath services for the new converts and Sunday night services for the public.
Before the tent was taken down, a neat church building, in size 28 x 28, was in process of erection. The new converts, and others in the community who are interested in our work and message, have donated material and labor so that to date we have not paid out one cent for labor. The building is now in shape to hold services. It will be finished as means come in. No indebtedness has been incurred so far, and we do not intend to permit any.
The new converts are gradually assuming the responsibility of the Sabbath school, and a young people's society has been organized which meets twice a month, on Sunday nights. This will prove a great blessing to the church, and will serve to indoctrinate those new in the message.
The only expense to the conference in connection with this effort has been the salary of the two workers. Seven families are represented in the new membership. With the exception of two, each owns his own farm. Besides the souls thus won to the message, means will continue to come from this source for supporting our far-flung missionary army. Rural evangelism pays.
Statesboro, Ga.
