Montana Camp-Meeting by Amos E. Everett

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jul 21, 1904

Montana Camp-Meeting

By Amos E. Everett

Our camp-meeting held at Townsend, Mont., is now in the past. All who attended this meeting were certainly repaid for coming. With the exception of one day the weather was almost perfect. There was a good attendance considering the distance many of our people were forced to come, and it was evident that those who did come were there for the purpose of getting a closer connection with Christ, and to impart to others the blessings received. How good it is to be so minded. Sometimes it means a real sacrifice for many of our people to attend the annual camp-meetings, but in the very sacrifice made the blessing is received, and hearts go away strengthened to press forward in the spiritual warfare.

Elder A. T. Jones was there the last half of the meeting, and none present will ever forget the stirring testimonies of faith and courage he gave in his instruction. His visit will be long remembered by his Montana friends, and there will be always a warm place in our hearts for Elder Jones.

The medical work was well represented by Dr. H. B. Farnsworth, of Missoula, Mont., who gave some excellent discourses on the value of right living. His addresses were practical, and such talk always reaches the hearts of the hearers, bearing positive influence in stirring to action. Surely the principles of health demand our earnest attention.

At this meeting there was not a large attendance from the outside, but some were interested who, we trust, may yet cast their lot with those who keep the commandments of God. On Sunday afternoon ten persons were baptized in the Missouri River, a large crowd witnessing the baptism. Our desire is that each one who went forward in this solemn rite may remain faithful to the blessed truth and message which makes this a peculiar people.

In our young people's meeting the last Sabbath we were there, it was impressed on us that our youth must be called to bear the great burden of this work, and that they must press forward in every phase of the work to which they may be called. Wonderful possibilities are open to those who stand firm as a rock to principle, taking the Bible as their guide. Courage, determination, grit, level-headed faith,—these are some of the essentials necessary to our own salvation as well as to success in any line of work. The man who never knows defeat, will never fail of success, no matter how hampered by adversity, bodily affliction, or imaginary evils, which latter, most often, cause discouragement and defeat to many who master bravely

the real difficulties of life. It is hard for young people to launch out by faith in a work that is all of faith, and to which they are wholly unaccustomed, but this is what must be done in order to begin, and the experiences gained day by day are the great factors in the real training preparatory to the heavenly school—the higher education.

Our young people must be encouraged, loved, and helped in the work for themselves as well as in their work for others. As one well says, “Man's sincerity should never be put too rudely to the test, it needs encouragement and indulgent welcome. He who rebuffs it by inhospitality is likely to frighten it from his house.” So the sincerity of our young people should be recognized. It should be given indulgent welcome, and every help, kindness, and sympathy should be extended to those who are secretly yearning to enlist in the Master's service, yet shrink from putting themselves forward. We can only say to you who are longing for such experience, Come along, come with us and we will share our experiences together; we will fight the battles in this spiritual warfare side by side, and together share in the glorious victory. If it is to canvass for our excellent literature, we can say the same thing. Those of long experience are to extend the hand of confidence and comradeship to the youth. It is not enough simply to say, Go, and the Lord bless you, but rather, Come, and share the blessing. Such it seems to me should be the spirit manifested to young people starting out in the highest vocation to which man has ever been called—that of leading souls to Christ.

After the close of the meeting the interest was followed up for several days by personal work, though with what success we have not learned.

Plans for the summer's work were laid by the conference committee, and aggressive efforts are to be made in new fields. Tent efforts are now being made at Missoula and Pony, Mont.

We trust to see our educational work firmly carried forward, that these great principles of truth which are so essential, may in no wise be allowed to fall in the rear. Our intermediate industrial school must find a permanent location, and our church-schools also must be maintained. A great work is before us here in Montana. All are of good courage. AMOS. E. EVERETT.