CAMP-MEETING EXPENSES by Dudley Marvin Canright

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 12, 1879

CAMP-MEETING EXPENSES.

By Dudley Marvin Canright

Expenses unavoidably attend every camp-meeting, such as for the ground, for fitting it up, for straw, for advertising, for freight on the big tent, for lumber to seat it, for lights, and numerous other items. These are all indispensable in order to have a meeting; and of course they must be paid for in some way. If everything is favorable, something can be made at the stand, but not a tithe of the amount required to meet the expenses. How shall the balance be raised?

We have usually assembled on Monday, and raised donations from $10 down to a quarter of a dollar. But it is remarked that certain ones manage to leave just before such a call, which causes some to feel that they are giving more than their share. And oftener than otherwise we fail to get enough in this way to meet expenses, thus leaving an embarrassing debt to be paid out of some fund needed elsewhere.

Isn’t there a better way?—one that will be more sure and yet more equal? After talking with scores of our brethren, we decide to try another plan for this year; then, if it is not acceptable to those interested, we will give it up. Every person above sixteen years old who camps on the ground will be expected to pay fifty cents; those under that age, nothing. All Sabbath-keepers in the State who do not attend will be invited to pay seventy-five cents.

In the case of those who do attend, fifty cents is so small a sum that no one can justly complain. If any are really too poor to pay that amount, we will see that it is made up for them by those who are more able, so that none need stay away on this account. Those who do not come should cheerfully contribute the small sum of seventy-five cents, for several reasons: 1. The camp-meeting is gotten up just as much for them as for those who come. 2. The general expenses of a camp-meeting are as great for a few as for many. 3. Those who come, buy provisions at our stand, and thus assist us; they buy books, in this way helping the T. and M. society; and they often pledge and pay more or less on various branches of the work; while those who stay away do nothing in any of these ways. 4. Those who come, give a week or more of their time to the service of God and his work; while those who stay at home, take the time to work for themselves. 5. Those who come, generally pay out several dollars in traveling expenses; while those who stay away, keep the money for other purposes. Therefore, if this is the work of God, if they are interested in its advancement, if they are willing to bear necessary burdens like brethren among brethren, they will cheerfully give this small amount.

These sums may be paid at the meeting, or to the S. B. treasurer in each church, or they may be sent to me by letter. At the camp-meeting, a full report will be made of every cent received and paid out. D. M. CANRIGHT.