The Maine Camp Meeting by D. H. KRESS, M. D.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jul 23, 1914

The Maine Camp Meeting

By D. H. KRESS, M. D.

FROM the beginning of the meeting, the weather was unusually cold, and it rained almost continually. The campers at first were few, but in spite of the unfavorable weather the people came until we had quite an assembly. The wet and cold weather, instead of being a hindrance, proved to be a help. We were shut up together, almost entirely away from those not of our faith, and naturally there existed a greater freedom in seeking God for the help and blessing of which we felt in need. God came very near. Those of us who had visited the other camp meetings held in the Atlantic Union Conference felt that the Maine meeting was in some respects the best one. There were more young people present than at the other meetings, and there seemed to be a deep consecration to God's service on the part of nearly all. This is a most hopeful sign for the future of Maine. There were also many present who witnessed the power which attended the message in Maine in the early days of our work, when multitudes would flock together to hear the messengers proclaim the near coming of Christ and the need of a preparation of heart on the part of all who would be among the redeemed.

We were glad to see Elders Osborne and Hersum, men who have witnessed the progress of this movement for years. It was refreshing to hear their testimonies. While they had been to larger meetings, both these brethren considered this one possibly the best they had ever attended. This is saying a great deal, and yet it is what we may expect, for the message is without doubt returning in power to the East. A new era is opening for the Maine Conference. Such a meeting as we had is difficult to describe, so I shall not attempt it, only to say that there was deep searching of heart. Sin appeared exceeding sinful. We saw as we have never in the past the need of having clean hands and a pure heart at such a time. The conviction has fastened upon us, and is daily deepening, that the time has come for us to rend our hearts and not our garments, that there must be a deep heart work done for us all. The fountain must be cleansed, that the streams issuing from it may be clean also. Our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, who outwardly appeared righteous unto men, but neglected heart cleansing. We feel grateful that even our thoughts may be clean and pure, and that we may get rid of even the inclination to think or speak of the faults of others. When this high standard is presented, many, like Nicodemus, inquire, "How can these things be?" How this is brought about cannot be explained. It is a miracle of grace. It is sufficient to experience the blessed fact. We feel convinced that this is no time to patch up our old experiences; God has entirely new experiences for us. "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you . . . I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them . . . I the Lord have spoken it, and I will do it. Thus saith the Lord God; I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them." And when this experience is ours, then the promise is, "I will increase them with men like a flock." It leads us to impart to others the blessings received. The plan of each member's becoming responsible for missionary endeavor in a certain area around his neighborhood, was looked upon with favor. The future looks bright. We have reason to be of good courage, for we are well able to go up and take the goodly land just before us. It will not be long until it can be said of a truth, "He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: . . . and the shout of a King is among them."

D. H. KRESS, M. D.