Experiences in the Field by William Warren Prescott

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 7, 1903

Experiences in the Field

By William Warren Prescott

Acting under the counsel of the General Conference Committee, I have attended the camp-meetings in the Upper Columbia, the Western Washington, and the Western Oregon Conferences, and the Educational Convention at College View, Neb. Having now returned home, after an absence of six weeks in attending these meetings, I have thought that some report of my experiences might be of interest to the readers of the Review.

I will not attempt to give a detailed account of each meeting, but simply refer to the general spirit of the meetings, and the nature of the work done. As I met the people who had come from their homes to these annual gatherings, I was deeply burdened for them. It has seemed to me that our camp-meetings have too often failed to bring the spiritual awakening which might result from such an opportunity, because the one thing needful was obscured by the multitude of matters of secondary importance, and I felt like giving myself wholly up to the work of ministering to the spiritual interests of the people. Furthermore, it has seemed to me that it has been too generally taken for granted that our people knew the message for this time, and that for this reason “practical subjects” should be presented to them, while “doctrinal subjects” should be dwelt upon when there was an attendance from the town or city where the meeting was held. I have felt impressed, however, that the real message for this time needs to be proclaimed anew to all this people. The cares of this life and the apparent delay in the coming of the Lord have dimmed the brightness of the experience of some, causing them to lose their first love, and all need to have their hope and faith strengthened. When we remember that an understanding of the times, and deliverance from the evils of this hour, come only through a knowledge of this closing message for the world, we can more fully appreciate that “the everlasting gospel” presented in the very setting which is given to it in the prophecies for the last days is the one theme for all hearers.

The mighty truths of this message are certainly “practical subjects,” if they live in the heart of the preacher. The difficulty is that some have fallen into formal ways of presenting these truths to the people, so that those who have heard them a few times know their sermons fairly well, and are not fed by them. I do not advocate seeking after “new light” merely for the purpose of having some new theory as to the interpretation of a prophecy or of some controverted text, but I do sincerely believe that the preacher should have a message fresh and new for the people each time he meets them, and this can come only through an experience fresh and new in his communion with heaven. Such a ministry of the message will bless the people, whether they ever heard it before or not.

As we studied in these meetings the grand and solemn theme of the soon coming of the Lord, and the kind of persons we ought to be since we look for such things, the Spirit of the Lord rested upon us, and new views of the message opened up to us. Many laid hold upon the living experience which is the personality of the doctrine of the advent of our Lord, and found in it a new experience. Some aged believers, who have been loyal to this message for many years, testified with trembling lips and with tears of joy that their hope had been revived, and that they took new courage in the truth.

The last Sabbath of the Upper Columbia meeting was a most blessed day. Heaven seemed to be very near to earth that day, and many souls were refreshed with the dews of divine grace. At the close of the morning sermon the ministry of the conference united in a season of consecration and prayer for a fresh baptism for service, after which backsliders and open sinners were invited to turn to the Lord. The Spirit of the Lord broke down the barriers, and many sought the Lord with tears of repentance. The whole congregation seemed to make a decided advance under the Spirit’s leading.

I had only four days at the Western Washington meeting, but I was much blessed in the ministry of the message there. The last day brought much help and encouragement, as the practical benefits of the ministry of our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary were presented, and the real secret of the patience or steadfastness of the saints was brought out.

I was unable to remain until the close of the Western Oregon meeting, but decided progress seemed to be made while I was there. Nearly every day a special meeting was held at five o’clock, after the afternoon study, at which opportunity was given for asking questions, and a very personal application was made of the truths which had been presented. These meetings seemed to be especially helpful to the people. I feel sure that we need to come close to the people in the ministry of the truth. Much time is lost in preaching at the people instead of talking with the people. This message brings peace and assurance when the hearers are helped to appropriate it as a personal experience, instead of giving mere mental assent to some new articles of faith.

I very much enjoyed the sessions of the Educational Convention at College View, Neb. As my part of the work I endeavored to urge upon the teachers that the third angel’s message, as the living and saving truth, must be the dominating subject of all study, and that thus the science of salvation would ever occupy the students’ minds. A full report of this convention has already appeared in the Review, and I will only add my personal testimony that the meeting was a most profitable one.

I am encouraged to believe that decided progress has been made in reviving the hope and faith of this people in the soon coming of the Saviour. It only remains for all to enter upon active/service in imparting to others the light which they have received, and the light will thus increase more and more unto the perfect day. So may it be. W. W. P.