Camp Meetings by F. W. Paap

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Oct 1, 1914

Camp Meetings

By F. W. Paap

It has been my privilege to attend sixteen camp meetings this season, and for the benefit of our people in general, I

desire to say a few words regarding these spiritual feasts.

The great advantage and blessing of these annual meetings eternity alone will reveal. Thousands have renewed their covenant relationships, and many have found the Saviour for the first time. It seems to me that it would be nearly impossible to carry forward this great movement without these seasons of refreshing. Those who miss these opportunities are handicapped, to say the least, in the great battles of life. We see the spiritual uplift that comes in seeking the Lord at these annual gatherings.

The daily study of the Word, the inspiring testimonies of the brethren, the opportunity of learning better how to work for our neighbors and friends, the knowledge of the financial conditions and problems, the inspiration that comes in the consideration of the great mission fields and their need,—these and many other items all magnify the importance of these meetings and the necessity of God's people being present. I would not give the impression that these meetings have been in every particular just what they should have been, but in spite of some failures they have been a great uplift and blessing to our people and the work.

There is surely coming in a revival among God's people. Never before in the history of this work has there been manifest a more wholesome, willing spirit on their part. We are in the time of a great awakening. Thousands are turning to God for a new and richer experience. Money for the carrying forward of the work is being supplied. Everywhere we find the conferences raising their full quota and more. Again and again our hearts have greatly rejoiced in God as his Holy Spirit has rested upon the people. “Courage in the Lord” may well be chosen as our watchword. The willingness on the part of God's people to work for souls, the large amount of literature purchased by them in connection with the home missionary campaign movement, the eagerness manifested to know better how to labor for the lost, and the determination expressed on the part of so many to win at least one soul for Christ, are omens of good.

These conditions are not exceptions, but the rule throughout the entire field. We surely are homeward bound. Our all-powerful Leader is directing the affairs of the universe. With perfect unity in the ranks, such as we are seeing more and more, victory is certain. Our great home missionary campaign is to play a very important part in the finishing of the work of God.

If the same spirit of consecration that possessed our hearts while at camp meeting is with us all through the year (and there is no reason why it should not be), if the same interest in home missionary work is taken, if our literature purchased in such a wholesale way is distributed as largely and faithfully, the results cannot be other than encouraging. We are expecting great things. The Lord is expecting great things.

“There is before the church the dawn of a bright, glorious day, if she will put on the robe of Christ's righteousness, withdrawing from all allegiance to the world.” God is ready, and his people are to be willing in the day of his power. We have reached that day.

F. W. Paap.