Camp-Meeting in Maine by Stephen Nelson Haskell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 23, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 37.

Camp-Meeting in Maine.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

THIS meeting was held near the city of Portland on the ground occupied two years ago. Last year the camp-meeting was held in this city also. There have been two courses of meetings held here during the past summer with but little manifest interest. There were a few, however, that took their stand for the truth, and many others were interested to hear.

It was in this city that Sister White lived when a girl, and is well known by the oldest inhabitants. Notwithstanding they are unbelievers in her mission and work, yet they have confidence in her and in her family. The cause in Maine is not as prosperous as in some other Conferences, but some of the oldest friends of the cause dwell in this State, and from it men of influence in the cause of present truth have gone to other fields. There is no doubt that there will yet be a large number who will embrace the truth in this Conference. The First-day Adventists are very numerous here and many of them are not an honor to any cause that should be respected in any part of the country. There are others who are of the best class of citizens.

There was a good attendance over the Sabbath and at the close of the meeting. On Sabbath a goodly number came forward for prayers; and on Monday morning some of the same interest was manifested, but in a less degree than is often seen at this stage of a camp-meeting. We feel deeply for this State. They need labor of a different character from that which they have had in the past. Two years ago there were plans laid for an exchange of laborers, but owing to certain arrangements that seemed to be necessary they were not carried out, and this in part at least contributed to somewhat discourage the brethren. It is not well to have the same laborers year after year without change in any field; there should be a diversity of gifts. And those Conferences where this is the case always flourish the best. There is no one perfect, and the stamp of one class of minds on any community is not as good as though there were a variety.

In the cause of Christ it is the divine mould that should be seen and not the human. When there is a reliance on some one man, or class of men, to do the work, with the idea that none others can do as well, then it is that some other spirit than that of God comes in. The apostle says: “Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius.” The apostle was thankful that there were other laborers who acted a part. The apostle continues: “For ye are yet carnal; for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.”

It is perfectly natural for brethren to esteem very highly, for their work's sake, those who first brought them the truth, and this is right. It is as it should be for the joy in the kingdom will be to see those who, by the blessing of God, we have been instrumental in bringing into the truth. Upon this point we have the following words: “As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.” And again, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.” But when personal feelings come in so that there is a feeling of partiality, then it is that a spirit of selfishness takes the place of that disinterested benevolence which is the essential element of Christianity. The cause of truth is the Lord's, and is in his hands, and he will carry it forward. There is nothing that we really can do against the truth, but all will, in the end, tell for its advancement. For “the foundation of God standeth sure, the Lord knoweth them that are his.”

We have reached perilous times when it becomes us all to have a living connection with God and build on the rock. Soon there will be times that will try men's souls, and then there will be many that now expect to be saved in the kingdom of God, who, for want of a living connection with God, will fail. “I am the vine, ye are the branches,” says the Saviour. It is from him that we must draw real nourishment if we shall stand in the evil time. There were never more solemn times than the present. In almost every congregation of Christian believers, there is a possibility, and even a probability, that there are some who will be translated and some who will drink of the seven last plagues. May the Lord help us to prepare for the coming events.

About sixty tents were pitched and some 300 brethren were present Sabbath and first-day. The eighty-five foot circular tent was well filled on Sunday. The speakers from abroad were Elders G. I. Butler, U. Smith, and the writer. S. N. H.