Our Camp Meetings by G. W. WELLS

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 17, 1915

Our Camp Meetings

By G. W. WELLS

G. W. WELLS

THE times in which we live are filled with intense excitement. The pleasure lovers are on the increase; the world is absorbed in money-making and selfish gratification. Satan knows his time is short, and he has set his agencies at work to delude, deceive, and entrance the mind, until probation shall end and the door of mercy close forever. We need to work wisely and earnestly, to arrest the attention of the world-mad masses as they rush on to destruction, but we are powerless to help them if we ourselves are not overcomers.

One object of our camp meetings is to promote spiritual life among our own people. We need to see anew the beauty, the holiness and loveliness of divine truth. The character of these meetings will be determined very largely by the purpose, desire, and spirit of those who attend. If we come with an earnest longing in our hearts for a deeper spiritual reviving, a burning desire for the forgiveness of all our sins, we may rest assured that our God will not disappoint us, but breathe upon us his Holy Spirit. The success of the meeting depends on the presence and power of the Spirit of God. Let us not think that it is possible for the ministry unaided to bring about a strong spiritual, uplifting, and refreshing camp meeting. It is necessary to have sympathetic cooperation on the part of the brethren in attendance. If we indulge in critical words and evil speaking, if we permit envy, jealousy, evil surmising, or sin of any character, to have place in our hearts, it will effectually bar the door against the Holy Spirit's work.

We must not overlook the fact that in all these gatherings there are two forces at work. A battle unseen by human eyes is going on; but it will be the privilege of each one in attendance to array himself on the side of right and gain a rich experience. There will be those present who are unacquainted with the devices of Satan, and in the conflict will doubtless be wounded, discouraged, and led astray, unless those who have been enlightened, and have tasted the love of a sin-pardoning Saviour, come close to such ones, and in the spirit of tenderness and love speak words which reveal the beauty of Christ's character, and thus win them from the enemy.

At these gatherings we must 'take time to be holy,' take 'time for heart searching, for soul culture.' 'Methods must be adopted, plans must be carried out, whereby the standard shall be uplifted, and the people shall be taught how they may be purified from iniquity and elevated by adherence to pure and holy principles.' We need more personal piety, more heart holiness, a clearer conception of spiritual things, a greater reverence for the Word of God, more respect for the gospel ministry, stronger, firmer, and purer love for each other. Let us pray that God may have access to our poor, hard hearts, making them tender and very susceptible to divine impressions. Let us earnestly pray for the ministers, that they may be consecrated and true-hearted men, and may have a message that will enlighten, instruct, and lift us into a higher experience. Pray that the simple gospel truths they present may be as sharp arrows piercing the heart, bringing conviction to the inmost soul.

Fathers and mothers, let us bow before God with contrition of soul, and say, with Moses of old, 'We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, . . . for we must hold a feast unto the Lord.' Brethren, let us go to the camp meeting and endeavor to take the unconverted in our homes and churches with us, seeking the Lord for his special blessing, and by God's grace and Spirit lead them to the Master.

Minneapolis, Minn.