Camp-Meeting Suggestions
By Daniel H. Kress
To his chosen people anciently God gave definite instruction in regard to their encampment while in the wilderness. Everything pertaining to it was to be kept in order and scrupulously clean. Principles pertaining to their well-being physically and morally were also urged upon them through Moses. Through cheerful obedience to these, God purposed to make of them the cleanest and healthiest, and morally the best, people in the world. Through the favorable impressions made by such a people upon the nations about them, prejudice was to be removed, and the way prepared for the impartation of divine truths by priests and teachers. In speaking to the people, Moses said: “Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me. . . . Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” The Lord is no less particular to-day. He designs that these yearly encampments should be regarded as places where he in a special sense and manner will meet with his people. Anciently, personal cleanliness was demanded, and the people were required to clean their garments, to meet with God. To Moses the instruction was given: “Go unto the people, and sanctify them to-day and to-morrow, and let them wash their clothes.” God’s demands are the same to-day. Those who come to these yearly convocations should be clean in person, and their clothing should be appropriate for the occasion. This cleanliness should extend to individual tents and to the entire encampment. The sanitary arrangements in the camp of Israel were perfect. Garbage and other refuse were not permitted to accumulate within the sacred enclosure. The water-supply was above suspicion. The food and drink were simple and wholesome. In all these wise arrangements, we have before us an object-lesson of what God demands of his people for all time. In the past there has at times been much sickness in our camps, and many coming at a great expense have been deprived of the benefit of the meetings. This need not be. If we would follow out the instruction which God has given us, sickness would seldom be seen at our camp-meetings. There have been some things about our encampments which have also tended to make an unfavorable impression upon visitors. In fact, in some instances, health officers have threatened to close the camp because of the unsanitary arrangements. Thus a reproach has been brought upon the cause of God; for his people should be the light of the world. The sanitary arrangements and the order maintained at19our camps, should appeal not only to the health officials, but also to persons of refinement. In order that this may be so, I will offer a few suggestions which, if followed, will aid in the attainment of the desired end:— 1. In the first place, the camp should not be located near a low or damp, marshy place, where mosquitoes breed. Mosquitoes are carriers of disease. Some very serious diseases are definitely known to be conveyed by them. It should not be located near barn-yards or manure heaps, where flies breed. 2. The water-supply should be above suspicion. If it is not, the people should be instructed, at the beginning of the camp, to boil all the water they drink. The life of many a Seventh-day Adventist has been sacrificed by ignoring this simple precaution. 3. Many diseases are conveyed through the medium of the fly. Flies should, therefore, be shut out of the dining-tent, the kitchen, and the grocery-tent, as far as possible. This is best done by a fly-netting. The garbage from the camp should be covered with a wire screen, so that flies can not enter it to breed. 4. Toilets should especially be kept clean. If possible, they should be connected with the city sewer. They should be a good distance from the camp, and located on the opposite side of the camp from the dining-tent and kitchen. A toilet naturally attracts flies; but by exercising a little precaution in its construction and afterward, flies may be practically excluded. Have the pit deep. The boards above the pit should be close-fitting, and the cracks well covered. The bottom boards should be banked with earth. Have each seat covered with a hinged door. This will effectually shut out flies, and the additional expense connected with providing such a toilet is a mere trifle. The cooperation of all in the camp is needed to keep these places clean. As a matter of modesty and respect, the seats should be separated from each other by a wall of board or canvas. 5. In the past there has been a tendency to crowd together too many in the various tents. By doing so, it is impossible to keep the tents neat and clean, or even to supply good, pure air. From the view-point of health, therefore, it is wise to discourage overcrowding as far as possible. 6. In these large gatherings, campers should have considerable privacy. They need time for seasons of secret devotion; and they should have a place where they can be alone, or where they can take, for prayer, those upon whom personal labor should be bestowed. 7. The foods best adapted for camp-meeting purposes are the well-baked cereals and breads, fresh fruits, and, in moderation, nuts or nut preparations. Crackers, zwieback, shredded wheat and granose biscuits, puffed wheat, puffed rice, and fruit crackers are wholesome foods to use. To make these crisp and palatable, they should be heated or exposed to the sun. Raw celery, raw cabbage, lettuce, and tomatoes are good relishes. Beans, lentils, and boiled cabbage should be avoided if the weather is hot, or, at most, used sparingly. If butter is desired, it should be used sparingly. Caramel coffees may be used occasionally. If milk is used, it should be sterilized.