p. 427 | San Jose Camp-Meeting by S. N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 27, 1883

San Jose Camp-Meeting.

By S. N. Haskell

THE camp-meeting held at San Jose was in some respects the most encouraging of any such meeting ever held in California. There were over 150 tents pitched upon the ground, varying in size from 12x16 to 24x36. During the first week the census showed about 700 campers upon the ground, and others came afterward. The grounds were laid out in regular streets, and each tent was numbered. The large preaching tent, 60x100, was comparatively well filled by our brethren and those interested in the truth, there being quite a number in attendance from the city and the surrounding country.

The interest from outside was small, although it greatly increased toward the close. In some respects the course of our brethren in attending the camp-meeting was truly commendable, and their example worthy of imitation in all parts of the country. Almost the entire membership of some of our churches was in attendance. Out of a company of seventeen, thirteen came by private conveyance and rail about 160 miles, and brought a number of their neighbors with them, and in some instances they saw them baptized before the meeting closed.

The city of tents was districted, with proper leaders who conducted meetings at 8 A. M. During these and other meetings it was seldom that individuals were seen strolling upon the ground.

At the time of the 5:30 A. M. meetings the ministers and leading men were in consultation, and a special meeting was held for the young people. Instructions were also given in the Sabbath-school work at this time, to teachers and superintendents.

Each morning at 9 A. M. there was a childrens' meeting, the attendance averaging about eighty. Instructions were given to a class of canvassers, while others were having a business meeting.

There was a Bible-reading each morning at 10:30. These readings awakened as deep an interest as any meetings held. There is a power in the Scriptures. It is the sure word of God which has enabled millions of people to stand the rack, the fire, and the sword. The more interest that can be awakened in the pure teachings of that word, the more of the power of God we shall have. It is a two-edged sword. All were convinced of the utility of this kind of labor. All discussion is avoided, as nothing is brought up except what can be read from the Scriptures.

Regular preaching service was held at 2:30 and 7:30 P. M. The spiritual interest of the meeting was good from the beginning. A large proportion of the friends were on the ground the day before the meeting, and remained till the close. About 150 came forward for prayers the first Sabbath. The following Thursday a larger number came forward, and the Sabbath before the meeting closed witnessed a far deeper and more general move than before. Sixty-seven were baptized.

The interest taken in the work was shown in what was done financially toward the various enterprises. There was a general impression that the time had come for advance steps to be taken, and those who had this world's goods felt that it was time for them to show their faith by their works. The wants of the cause were set before the brethren at one 9 o'clock morning meeting. The meeting continued one hour and a half only. Pledge papers were passed around, and when returned they showed that over $6,000 were pledged on the school, and $10,000 on the foreign missions, to be divided with the International Tract Society. Besides this, there was $4,000 pledged on a $25,000 endowment fund for the College, for the purpose of educating men and women as colporteurs and ministers, etc. The whole amount pledged was over $20,000. Adding to this amount the $11,000 pledged a few weeks previous, for the endowment fund to the school, and $2,000 to the ship missionary work in San Francisco, and we have $33,000 given in California this season for the spread of the truth. If the friends of the cause in this State are faithful to the trusts God has committed to them, in placing in their midst institutions devoted to the promulgation of the present truth, they will in a short time see of the salvation of God in a marked manner.

The report of the missionary work showed a large increase over any previous year. One hundred and seventy-one yearly subscribers were obtained on the camp-ground for our periodicals, forty-two of them for the Review.

In the consultations it was decided to send two of our successful missionary workers to the Sandwich Islands. We confidently believe that God has men of means in this State who, like Barnabas, will sell their possessions, and devote their time to spreading the truth. May God speed the time when a mighty angel will descend from Heaven, and the earth be lighted with his glory.

S. N. HASKELL.