p. 19 | That Tent-Meeting by W. H. Granger

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 6, 1907

That Tent-Meeting

By W. H. Granger

As the season for our tent-meetings is drawing near, it will be in order to make some suggestions about doing house-to-house work in connection with such efforts. All who have had experience in tent-meeting work know the importance of keeping every home well supplied with literature while the meetings are in progress. To do this successfully requires no small effort, but it always brings gratifying results. To get in touch with every family in the vicinity, and to keep in touch with them every day during the meetings, is a very important matter, and one that should never be neglected. It is well for us to bear in mind the fact that we may never have the privilege of passing that way again; hence the importance of making a supreme effort to warn every soul while the opportunity is given. To assist in doing this, I suggest the following plan as being very practical, and one that is almost sure to bring the desired results:—

On going into a new place, first ascertain as nearly as possible the number of families living within a reasonable radius of the place of meeting. Then supply yourself with as many sets of The Family Bible Teacher as you have families in the vicinity. The day you begin your meeting, begin also the work of visiting the people. Make it a point to see that every family is supplied each day of the meeting with a lesson dealing with the subject spoken on the previous evening. Say, for instance, the subject of Christ's Second Coming is spoken on; the next morning take lesson No. 5 to each home, telling them that it deals with the subject spoken on the previous evening, and urge a careful reading of the lesson. At the same time announce the subject for the following evening, and invite each family to attend the meetings. This method will not only insure the largest possible attendance, but has the advantage of making your work doubly effective. The following recent testimony from brethren who adopted this plan will be of interest:—

“The first few evenings a very fair audience came out to hear. After the first three meetings the congregation began to fall away, and about the sixth meeting there were only about nine or

ten adults besides those of our own faith. We saw that something must be done, or the meeting would have to close. We counseled together, and decided to send for enough sets of The Family Bible Teacher to place in each home in the town each day.

“Having some of the numbers on hand, we took up the work at once. As we carried the readings to their homes, we had an opportunity to visit with the people a few minutes, and invite them out to the meetings. As far as possible, we gave them a printed reading on the same subject that was preached on the night before. This placed them on friendly terms with us, and nearly all promised to read the leaflets and come out to the meetings.

“This has been repeated every day for nearly a week; and from the very day we began this work, the congregation began to increase, and now the tent is full every evening. At our last meeting we had a tent full, although many had to come in the rain.

“One good feature about his method is that it seems to bring out the very best people of the town, and another is that it reaches the class that it is impossible to get out to any other meetings.”

But says one, “Where would the money come from with which to pay for the literature?” I believe the Lord wants the work done in the most effective way possible, and that he will supply the means when we are willing to walk out in faith, taking advantage of the opportunities given us. Adopt the method of taking up a collection every evening, and there will be means enough with which to pay for the literature. I am confident that the Lord will move upon the hearts of the people to give liberally when we first give liberally to them. Brethren, try this plan, and I am sure you will be greatly pleased with the results. Our last tent effort will be held before a great while, and now as never before we should lay our plans to make our work the most effective possible.

W. H. GRANGER.