Developing Missionary Workers at Our Camp-Meetings by A. J. S. Bourdeau

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 30, 1913

Developing Missionary Workers at Our Camp-Meetings

By A. J. S. Bourdeau

Launching Ingathering Campaign in the Chesapeake Conference

Although not so large as some of our camp-meetings, the Chesapeake Conference meeting, which was held in Willis’s Apple Grove, on the outskirts of the old historic village of Chestertown, Md., September 18-28, will be long remembered as one of the best. It having been decided to discuss the Harvest Ingathering campaign, Thursday, the twenty-fifth, it was suggested that a field-day in the village with the Ingathering REVIEW would be the best way to launch the campaign in the conference.

Following the practical missionary talk at the six o’clock meeting Thursday morning, based on Luke 8:38, 39 (the “publishing” experience of the new convert from the city of Decapolis), territory slips were assigned to each company of workers. A practical drill on the REVIEW canvass was next given, followed by hints regarding the best methods of gaining an entrance to the homes and securing liberal donations.

As our supply of the Harvest Ingathering REVIEW was limited to two hundred copies, we decided to use two hundred copies of the Watchman, making a total of four hundred periodicals. Our experience was that almost any of our periodicals can be used to good advantage in securing offerings for missions. After all, our denominational work is judged largely by those who go to the homes of the people.

Immediately after breakfast our crew of forty volunteers, with Elder R. T. Baer, the conference president, at their head, marched from the camp down to the plaza in front of the court-house, where the freshly printed programs of the meetings were quickly distributed to the workers, who immediately went to their territories armed with ten periodicals each, and with a keen desire to let their light shine.

The Lord greatly blessed in the effort. About four hundred visits were made, and four hundred magazines distributed, besides an equal number of invitations. By eleven o’clock most of the workers returned to camp and participated in the discussion of the missionary resolutions with greater zest than had been manifested in any previous meeting. It was with difficulty that each one restrained himself from relating the wonderful experiences of the morning until the appointed time for the—

Missionary Rally and Reports

Speaking of the two-hour experience meeting that was held from four to six o’clock in the afternoon in the large pavilion, Elder Baer said: “I have never been in such a blessed meeting as this one, nor heard such experiences. My soul has been watered by the experiences I have had.” These seemed to be the sentiments of all present.

As we walked the streets of old Chestertown, we thought of the pioneer work done by Brother Joseph Bates, who spoke in the court-house on the second coming of the Lord and the Eastern question in the year 1844. See “Life of Bates,” chapter 24.

VOLUNTEERS FOR THE HARVEST INGATHERING FIELD-DAY

This effort demonstrates the truth and wisdom of the following instructions received from the spirit of prophecy: “On such occasions as our annual camp-meetings, we must never lose sight of the opportunities afforded for teaching the believers how to do practical missionary work in the place where they may live. . . . Let some help the people to learn how to give Bible readings and to conduct cottage meetings. Let others bear the burden of teaching the people how to practise the principles of health and temperance. . . . Still others may labor in the interests of our periodical and book work.”

“One of the principal agencies He has ordained for our use is the printed page. . . . Particularly in our annual camp-meetings we must learn to make a wise use of this precious agency. With patient diligence, chosen workers must instruct our people how to approach unbelievers in a kindly, winning way, and how to place in their hands literature in which the truth for this time is presented with clearness and power. . . . He desires that we shall be a working corps of laborers endowed with adaptability for his service.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IX, pages 82, 83, 87.

The inspiration of this united effort on the part of the conference president, his committee, union officials, church officers, and visiting ministers and workers, is bound to arouse enthusiasm and home missionary zeal in every church and isolated company of believers in the Chesapeake Conference. “For that the leaders took the lead in Israel, for that the people offered themselves willingly, bless ye Jehovah. . . . My heart is toward the governors of Israel, that offered themselves willingly among the people.” Judges 5:2-9, A. R. V.

A. J. S. BOURDEAU.