The Central New England Camp-Meeting by W. B. White

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 14, 1910

The Central New England Camp-Meeting

By W. B. White

THIS meeting was held according to the appointment in the city of Worcester, Mass., June 9-19, and was the largest gathering of its kind ever held in the conference. Over one hundred family tents were pitched and occupied, about five hundred persons either camping on the grounds or occupying rooms near by. Two prominent car lines ran to the grounds, which rendered the camp very accessible from all parts of the city. The large, open tract of ground, elevated a little above the street, where the tents were pitched, was nearly an ideal location for a camp-ground. Great care had been exercised in planning the camp, and careful thought had been given to the sanitary arrangements; all in all it was the most carefully arranged camp-meeting that the writer has ever had the privilege of attending.

At the time of the first meeting, Thursday evening, everything on the grounds was in readiness, and the ten-days’ session was opened with a stirring discourse by the conference president, Elder H. C. Hartwell, on the reasons for holding camp-meetings and the way they may be made a success. As the Central New England Conference holds its business session in the winter, no conference business was transacted during the meeting, but all the time was given to religious instruction and departmental work.

We were glad to welcome from the General Conference Elders Geo. I. Butler, N. Z. Town, and Drs. D. H. and Lauretta Kress, who rendered very efficient service in the meeting. Elder Butler is now past seventy-five, and naturally begins to feel the weight of years, but he still has a good amount of vigor left for the work. His sermons and talks on the early experiences in this work, and the place the spirit of prophecy has filled and is filling among this people, were greatly appreciated, and tended to inspire confidence and faith in this message. Elder Butler’s experience in the third angel’s message, and his long connection with the General Conference work, eminently qualify him to bring to our people at this time what is needed to inspire faith, hope, and courage in their hearts with reference to this great advent movement in which we are engaged, and to which we have dedicated our lives.

Some stirring talks on foreign missions were given by Elder Town, who has just returned from an eight months’ trip in Spain and South America.

The Drs. Kress also labored faithfully in bringing before the people the principles of true health and temperance. Their lectures and talks were much appreciated, not only by our people, but also by those who came in from the city, and were widely reported by the daily papers. We have no doubt that our blessed principles of health, temperance, and right living are just what the Lord has styled them,—the “entering wedge” of the message,—and as such should be placed to the front in all these large gatherings. At this meeting, quite a number who became interested first in these principles began to inquire later with reference to other points of our faith, and we hope may be led on to the acceptance of the whole truth. Cooks and nurses were present from the New England Sanitarium, and daily instruction was given in simple treatment of diseases and healthful cookery.

The Central New England Conference has its quota of the $300,000 Fund nearly pledged, and hopes to raise the entire sum during 1910.

At this camp-meeting the “Ministry of Healing” campaign was definitely launched in this conference, and between two hundred fifty and three hundred books were taken by the people to sell for the assistance of the medical missionary work. A good interest was

manifested in this campaign of relief, and we are sure our people in the Central New England Conference will be in line in this good work.

To encourage missionary effort among our neighbors, the New York office, through its manager, Brother L. W. Graham, offered to sell to our people a cloth copy of “Desire of Ages,” “Great Controversy,” “Patriarchs and Prophets,” and “Heralds of the Morning” for $5, the retail value of these books being $11. About fifty sets of these books were sold, our people buying them to loan among their neighbors and to place in libraries. About $600 was raised on the tent- and camp-meeting fund, and $700 to assist South Lancaster Academy.

The weather for the most part was quite unfavorable. The first Sabbath and Sunday were rainy and cold, and everything without was disagreeable; nevertheless excellent meetings were enjoyed, and the good Spirit was with us. The following week, cloud and sunshine rested upon us, but the last Sabbath, for the most part, was a lovely day, and the great tent was filled to overflowing. After a sermon which showed the danger of heart backsliding and drifting from God, the speaker asked all who felt that such was the case in their lives, to make a new start, and reconsecrate themselves to the service of Christ. At once the convicting, melting power of God seemed to fall upon the congregation, and scores who felt that their lives had been drifting from God pressed to the front, and kneeling at the platform confessed their backslidings, and made a new start for the kingdom. It was a solemn scene. Angels of God were near, and his Spirit worked powerfully upon hearts. Children and young people would come with contrition of heart to the front, stating that they desired to give themselves to God, and wishing the ministers to pray for and with them as they gave themselves to his service. Real victories were gained by many, and it was certainly an hour of turning to God and repentance from sin. The next day about thirty persons followed their Lord in baptism.

The writer left the camp on Sunday afternoon, but learned later that God was with the meeting till the close. The work in the Central New England Conference is onward, and courage and faith are in the hearts of the people.

W. B. WHITE.