Camp Meeting Labors by George I. Butler

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 3, 1916

Camp Meeting Labors

By George I. Butler

It was my privilege to attend the three camp meetings in the East held at Lawrence, Mass., Buffalo, N. Y., and Lebanon, Pa. They were all excellent meetings. It is not my purpose to report each of these meetings. That privilege belongs to others more specifically responsible. I was only one of several laborers in attendance. However, there were a few items which greatly interested me.

I think more of our people were in attendance at the Lawrence meeting than at either of the others, but not a great many more. The weather was cloudy, quite cool, and very rainy. Stoves were put in the large tent, so we could keep quite comfortable. The brethren and sisters present were very cheerful. I heard no complaints. Elder F. C. Gilbert's Bible studies each morning were exceedingly interesting. The main thought continually emphasized was the

importance of all our members being tillers for God.

The sale of our literature was the constant theme. That feature I never saw made more prominent in any camp meeting. The result was surprising. Thirty-six hundred dollars' worth of literature was sold at the meeting, including about seventy full sets of Sister White's “Testimonies for the Church.” On the closing Sunday the whole contents of the bookstore were brought out to the large tent and piled high in the minister's stand. About 11 A. M. the book sale began, presided over by Elder A. E. Sanderson, a good bookman. In about two hours $1,500 worth of books were sold. It was a most interesting scene. The whole camp seemed to enjoy it. I had never seen, in the hundreds of camp meetings I have attended, such a rapid disposal of our literature. I had never seen such a general interest in the circulation of our literature. Those books, pamphlets, and tracts were disposed of in large lots to those who expect to go right out and sell them to the people. When our brethren and sisters wake up to do what the servant of the Lord, now sleeping, has said should and must be done, we shall all be astonished at what great quantities of literature will be required to meet the demands.

A new plan has been formed in the Atlantic Union Conference by which to carry on this special work of distributing our literature by all our members. A large automobile has been purchased by the Massachusetts Conference, to be used in carrying literature to all the churches in the conference. From this supply our brethren and sisters may obtain literature; and with colporteurs and laity thus working together, it is hoped to bring about such a circulation of our precious books, tracts, and periodicals as has never been known in the history of this work. That which the servant of God foretold would come in the experience of this cause will surely be fulfilled before the coming of Christ.

Advance steps are being taken in the Atlantic Union Conference, where there is great faith in the Testimonies. There seemed to be a large degree of spiritual life and union of effort. This is an evidence that the prediction, made more than a score of years ago by the Spirit of prophecy, that with power the message would return to the East, where this work originated, is being fulfilled. The writer feels to thank the Lord from his very soul for the clear evidences that are seen of this. The loud cry of this message is fast approaching. All of us want a part in it.

I was present at the Buffalo camp meeting only four days, having stayed at the Massachusetts meeting till its close, and being also booked for the Eastern Pennsylvania meeting at Lebanon, Pa. Here also the weather was quite cold and rainy. Overcoats were in demand for comfort, but with large stoves in the big tent it was quite comfortable. The meeting in progress was excellent, a good spiritual interest being manifest. The sale of books was also quite large. About fifty sets of the Testimonies were sold, I understand. Being absent at the beginning and the close of the meeting, of course I cannot give all the particulars. I feel sure, however, that it was a good meeting.

We reached Lebanon just before the beginning of the first Sabbath, and stayed till the close of the meeting. The camp was pitched on the beautiful fairgrounds. The place was all that could be desired. Instead of a large tent for the assembly meetings, we had the commodious building belonging to the fairgrounds. It served the purpose well, only it seemed a little strange not to have any large tent such as we usually have at camp meetings.

The meetings were good. Of Division Conference laborers there were present Elders W. T. Knox and C. S. Longacre, and the editor of the REVIEW, Elder F. M. Wilcox. Elder George Enoch, our missionary from India, was present most of the time, laboring in the interest of mission funds. He gave several very interesting discourses on mission work in India, presenting a vivid view of the great need of missionary work among the three hundred millions of benighted India. These talks were very instructive to me. The conference raised more than $4,000, a very liberal offering considering the number present. May God pity and lead us all to labor earnestly for the millions in midnight darkness in those dark regions of idolatry. We must be greatly in earnest as a people to help carry the gospel message to this great mission field.

The discourses of our brethren were excellent. The appeal to the young people to give themselves to the work of God was most pathetic and powerful. A large number stood up and made their vows of consecration to the work of God. Many were baptized. The social meetings were good.

A good amount of time was given to me at each camp meeting. In all, I gave about twenty discourses at these three meetings, mostly on the experiences of the pioneers in the third angel's message, and especially on the early work of Mrs. E. G. White; also the great work accomplished by the gift of the Spirit of prophecy which accompanied her labors. Her labors were invaluable to this cause.

I believe it is very essential that the large number of new believers coming into this message have an opportunity to learn of the beginning of this cause, in order that they may know its fundamental principles. Many of our older members also need to learn more about it. I felt the blessing of God and much freedom in presenting the subject, and best of all was the hearty reception of the truths presented. I greatly enjoyed the privilege of being once more an active laborer in the grand work. This work, the work of preparing a people for the soon coming of the blessed Lord in the clouds of heaven to gather his children home, is the grandest thing in the world. No other joy compares with this.

G. I. BUTLER.