CONVOCATIONS by James White

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 14, 1868

CONVOCATIONS

By James White

“Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the Lord seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath. And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm-trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days. And ye shall keep it a feast unto the Lord seven days in the year; it shall be a statute forever in your generations; ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month.” Lev. xxiii, 39–41.

Whatever may be said of the typical or commemorative character of this feast, all will admit that it was celebrated for the spiritual good of the Jewish church. If such a convocation be good for Jews, why not as profitable for Christians?

Methodist campmeetings in the days of primitive Methodism, contributed much to the life and influence of that body. If such meetings be good for Methodists, why not be equally profitable for Adventists?

Second-Advent campmeetings in 1843 and 1844, were one of the grandest means of disseminating light relative to the Advent hope and faith, and imparted life and strength to the great Advent movement. If campmeetings were an efficient means of good during the first angel’s proclamation, why may they not prove as profitable under the proclamation of the third message?

The nominal Adventists of New England have annually held a mammoth campmeeting for several years past, at Wilbraham, Mass., where the various factions and fragments of nominal Adventists have assembled, and found strength to prosecute their cause. And may not those who hold the unit faith, and seek to be led by the one Spirit, receive great strength by similar means? Why not, then, Seventh-day Adventists hold a general campmeeting to continue a week or more?

The subject of a general campmeeting was taken up in our last General Conference, and referred to the Committee. As one of that Committee, I now call attention to the subject. At our annual Conference, usually held at Battle Creek, the business sessions of the General Conference, the Michigan Conference, the Publishing Association, and the Health Institute, occupy so much of the time and thought of the members, especially the ministers, as to greatly detract from the interest of the religious services. This is not a good time for a general gathering of our brethren and sisters to enjoy a spiritual feast. Not understanding this, many have come to our annual conferences, spent a week’s time, and gone home disappointed. They had no special interest in the business sessions, thought they occupied too much time, and concluded that their brethren were becoming formal and backslidden. In this they were mistaken. Meetings for transaction of business are necessary and right. Let those attend our annual meeting who have a part to act in them; and let those who have no special part to act in our general assemblies for the transaction of business, remain at home, instead of bringing their wives and children to such assemblies to burden the church that entertains them, for nearly or quite a week, they, meanwhile looking on, and getting tempted because there are no more religious exercises.

A general Convocation, free from business sessions, where ministers and people could devote their entire time and energies to the spiritual interests of the assembly, would exactly meet the wants of the cause. Such meetings should be very general. They can be held at a season of the year when with a little sacrifice there can be a general rally of men, women, and youth. These meetings should hold from four to eight

days. At each of these assemblies there should be a large tent in which to hold the religious services in stormy weather. There should also be a sufficient number of small tents for the accommodation of all who would wish to stay upon the ground. Each church should have one or more, according to their numbers, on the ground. Each tent company could furnish their own provisions and bedding. Such meetings should be held in the vicinity of our largest churches, where, at the homes of the brethren, ministers, and others if necessary, could be entertained.

A general campmeeting of this kind should be held annually, probably somewhere in Michigan. This however should not take the place of convocations of the kind in other States. But it may not be possible to hold such a general meeting the present season. To meet the present wants of the cause, and preparatory to a general campmeeting next year, I suggest that three convocations be held in different parts of the State of Michigan, in August and September of the present year; one in the northwestern portion of the State, one in the northeastern, and one in the southern.

The church at Wright, Ottawa Co., Mich., is large, situated near the Detroit and Milwaukee R. R., offering an opportunity for a general rally from the counties of Ottawa, Kent, Allegan, Ionia, and Montcalm, from churches all along the line of that R. R., and from Wisconsin and Illinois. Berlin station is but four miles from the house of worship of the Wright church, and only about twenty miles from Grand Haven. Boats from Chicago and Milwaukee connect at Grand Haven, with trains on this road. This meeting will be easy of access from all points in Wisconsin and Illinois.

A second meeting could be held with the church at St. Charles, Saginaw Co., Mich. This place is situated on the railroad from Owasso to Bay City, and offers a good opportunity for brethren to attend situated along the lines of the Detroit and Milwaukee, Mich. Central, and Mich. Southern railroads, and the north and south railroad from Owasso to Adrian. It is also a central point for brethren to come by private conveyance from the counties of Gratiot, Saginaw, Tuscola, Lapeer, Oakland and Clinton.

A third convocation could be held in the south part of the State, about half way between Battle Creek, and the Ohio and Indiana State lines. This would afford a good opportunity for a general gathering from the three States. No doubt the labors of Eld. J. N. Andrews could be secured for these meetings.

I briefly set this matter before the church at Wright, July 4, and they unanimously voted in favor of such meetings. The time is short for proper consultations, preparations and appointments. Brethren shall we have these meetings? If so, please respond immediately. As to their time and places, I have only suggested. If they shall be holden this season, where? and at what time? Let every church get one tent or more. These will be just what will be wanted at the general campmeeting. Be in season. Be vigilant. Make liberal provisions. All turn out. Let us have a general rally. Leave your cares at home, and come up to these feasts, bag and baggage, to work for the Lord, and remain until they shall close. All interested in these meetings who have anything to say to the point, may address me at Greenville, Montcalm Co., Mich.

JAMES WHITE.