The Message at Our Camp-Meetings
By G. B. Thompson
OUR camp-meetings are very important gatherings, held at large expense, and should be a most important agency in reaching the people with the stirring truths of the solemn message committed to us as a people. Everywhere we can see clear indications that the forces of evil are organizing, and the favorable opportunity now given us to extend the warning of the close of probation and the revelation of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven will soon cease. Surely at our camp-meetings, of all places, the testing truths of the message should be distinctly set forth. We have a message different from any other people on the face of the earth, and the multitudes who come to camp-meeting should hear something different. Many expect this when they come, though many times, I fear, they have been disappointed. The fundamental doctrines of our faith should be set forth, and a reason of our belief should be given. The people should be gathered as about Sinai to hear the great things of the law. I feel deeply impressed that the following instruction concerning camp-meetings should be heeded at our annual convocations:—9 “Much of the teaching given is powerless to awaken the transgressor or convict souls of sin. The people who come to hear the word need a plain, straightforward presentation of the truth.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” page 53. “Let the message for this time be presented, not in long, labored discourses, but in short talks, right to the point.”—Id., page 55. “We are in danger of giving the third angel’s message in so indefinite a manner that it does not impress the people. So many other interests are brought in, that the very message which should be proclaimed with power becomes tame and voiceless. At our camp-meetings a mistake has been made. The Sabbath question has been touched upon, but has not been presented as the great test for this time. While the churches profess to believe in Christ, they are violating the law which Christ himself proclaimed from Sinai. The Lord bids us, ‘Show my people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins.’ Isa. 58:1. The trumpet is to give a certain sound. When you have a congregation before you for only two weeks, do not defer the presentation of the Sabbath question until everything else is presented, supposing that you thus pave the way for it. Lift up the standard, the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Make this the important theme. Then, by your strong arguments, make it of still greater force. Dwell more on the Revelation. Read, explain, and enforce its teaching. . . . The perils of the last days are upon us, and in our work we are to warn the people of the danger they are in. Let not the solemn scenes which prophecy has revealed, be left untouched.”—Id., pages 60, 61. We have not followed a cunningly devised fable in making known the coming of the Lord. He is at the door. Time is short. Troublous times are upon us. The ominous storm-cloud which has been gathering is far above the horizon, and will break soon with all its fury on the world. If ever the message should have a clear, pointed presentation, it is now, that the people may be prepared for what is coming. John the Baptist in the wilderness with a message drew the attention of the people, and the old-time ring of the message which God has committed to us will stir the people now.