The Tent Meetings by Dudley Marvin Canright; Joseph Harvey Waggoner

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Jun 10, 1875

The Tent Meetings.

By Dudley Marvin Canright; Joseph Harvey Waggoner

AN APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE.

[THE above is the title of a circular just printed at our Office for general distribution at the tent now in Gilroy, Cal. As it may be of interest to the readers of the SIGNS we give it below.]

MEN AND BRETHREN : We have a large commodious tent pitched in your city, in which we are holding religious meetings. The tent is comfortably seated with plain boards, with backs to most of the seats. It is neatly carpeted with clean grass. We can accommodate six or seven hundred. Everything is conducted with perfect order, and all are treated with respect and courtesy.

We use a tent rather than any other building. 1. Because we can come and go with it when we choose, without being dependent upon others or interfering with other meetings. 2. Because it is much more comfortable in warm weather than a church or hall. 3. Because a large class will go to a tent who would not attend the ordinary places of worship. 4. Because we are often refused the privilege of freely preaching the word of God in the meeting-houses.

Our Object.

Our object is definite and easily stated. It is to expound the Bible in such a manner that the common people can understand it; to show that it is indeed the book of God; to convince infidels and skeptics; to convert sinners; to arouse the lukewarm; to comfort the faithful, and to warn the world of the impending judgments of God. We are solemnly impressed that there is a crying need for a return to the ancient simplicity of the gospel.

Subjects to be Discussed.

We shall take up and carefully expound the prophecies relating to the first and second advents, the great kingdoms that were to arise in the world before the end, the signs which are to mark the close of time, and especially those which are being fulfilled in our own time. Shall examine the prophecies relating to our own government. The millennium, the return of the Jews, modern Spiritualism, Mormonism, and other modern errors thoroughly exposed and refuted. The immortality of the soul, the state of the dead, the final punishment of the wicked, and the reward of the righteous, especially discussed. The morality of the ten commandments vindicated, and the harmony of the law of God and the gospel of Christ maintained. These are stirring themes which cannot fail to interest every intelligent person. We have several large charts, paintings, and symbols, to illustrate our subjects.

To the Common People.

Of Jesus it was said that "the common people heard him gladly;" Mark 12:37; and he was called the friend of publicans and sinners. One distinguishing mark of his mission was that he preached the gospel to the poor. Matt. 11:5. God's special messages of mercy have always been addressed to the common people. With them every great reformation has always begun, for they have been the ones the most ready to believe, receive, and support it. The aristocratic, the rich, the high priests, Pharisees, lawyers, scribes, popes, cardinals, bishops, priests, and church dignitaries, have ever felt themselves above the simplicity and humbleness of God's true work. This is as true to-day as in all other ages of the world. To a large extent, the poor to-day are virtually deprived of the gospel and shut out of the churches. True, they are nominally invited to its privileges; but there is so much pride and aristocracy in many of the churches, that they do not feel at home there. It costs so much money to run the church in modern style, that the poor do not feel able to give what is expected of them, and hence they stay away; and much of the preaching is in a style that neither interests nor instructs them, for it lacks the simplicity and earnestness which alone can reach them.

These are sad facts, but who will deny them? To this class we especially appeal. You shall be welcome in our meetings, however plain may be your appearance. We shall make our sermons so plain that none can fail to understand. Come and bring your children and hear the word of God. The most precious promises of the Lord are to the poor and humble. "Hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom?" Jas. 2:5. God pities you, Jesus loves you, and Heaven is for you if you will receive it. We, entreat you, do not let the pride, hypocrisy, and sins of others shut you out of Heaven. Think, and act, and believe for yourselves, and may God bless you. Do not plead that the Bible is above your comprehension, a book of mysteries. True, learned theologians have made it such, but God never did. It was written by plain men, in simple language, for the common people. When rightly read the most ordinary wayfaring man can understand it. Come and hear for yourselves.

To the Non-Professors.

There is a very large and rapidly increasing class of persons who have never made any profession, or who are entirely backslidden and disconnected from any church. Many of these are really becoming skeptical with regard to the Bible and all religion. Is there not a cause? The formality, the pride, and the hypocrisy which they see in many church members, have driven them to think that religion is all a sham.

They see dishonest men, men whose characters they despise, occupying leading and responsible positions in the churches. With such they do not wish to fellowship. Over these they themselves are stumbling into hell. These churches cannot help them till their own members reform and get out of their way, of which there is little hope.

Dear friends, the just God lives and marks all these things. The great Judgment day will try men's hearts and hopes. Then the sins of others will not save you. Attend to your own soul. Obey God yourself. Are you satisfied to live as you are, without hope and without God, exposed to eternal death? You mean to reform, but when? What time have you set for it? Death is on your track. Your hope is delusive, and your unbelief will not save you. We love your souls. We have seen hundreds in your condition reached, and made to rejoice in the Lord by the plain Bible truths which we are preaching. This may be God's appointed means to save you. Are you willing to hear? Then make an effort to come to-night. Don't put it off.

To Christians.

Brethren and sisters: In the name of the Lord we come among you, with that Bible which we both believe. To it we appeal. From it only we teach. Will you listen to it? Do you not realize that something needs to be done to arouse and save both young and old around you? Have you prayed the Lord to send some one to convert your friends and neighbors who are out of Christ? Peradventure the Lord may send by whom, and in a manner, that you did not expect. Will you, then, reject it? Will you refuse to hear it, and use your influence to keep others away? Because it points out your errors, and calls upon you to change your course, will you therefore despise it?

Think not to say within yourselves, "We have Luther, or Calvin, or Wesley to our father. They were holy men, and we are their children, and therefore we are rich and increased in goods and have need of nothing. We belong to the churches which they founded, and hence are on the high-road to glory." Nay, be not deceived. If they are their children, you will do their works. They walked with God. They were separate from the world. Its pride and fashion, follies and sins, they severely condemned, both in word and conduct.

Are you satisfied with the state of religion as you know it to be in many of the churches to-day? Is it not a fact that the simplicity, the plainness, the spirituality, the deep earnestness and solemnity, which was seen in former years is now very rare? Do you not see as much pride and fashion and love of pleasure, in the church as in the world? Is the word of God preached from the pulpit with the power of God attending it as it used to be? Is it not becoming a popular thing to join a stylish church simply from worldly motives? Does not money, and worldly objects and position have much to do with these things now? Has not the offense of the cross ceased? Notice the feasting, and pleasure parties which are now so commonly held in all the churches, under the name of sociables, festivals, suppers, and dinner parties. See the grab bags, fish ponds, ring cakes, and other contrivances to get money. Is this making the house of God a house of merchandise? Is not the sole object of these to gain money from the ungodly and lovers of pleasure, who will give for their appetite what they will not do for God and the truth? If Christ drove the money-changers and those who sold doves from the temple, can he be pleased with this?

Who is there among you that sighs and cries for all the abominations that are done in the land? or have you settled down upon your lees, and so far fallen asleep as to think that everything is in good case, and there is no need of reform? The Lord pity those who are so blinded. Is it not time for the Lord to work? Are you not aware that the unconsecrated lives of the professed followers of Christ is the great stumbling block in the way of the conversion of sinners? Is it not a fact that openly dishonest men can and do retain their position in the church for years without censure? It is no use to deny these things. Unbelievers and worldlings see them and know that this is inconsistent with the Bible. Can the Lord be pleased with such a state of things? What shall be done?

We believe that the time has come when a stir must be made about these things, when the ax must be laid at the root of the tree, when there must be a separating from the unholy. It would be more agreeable to us to keep in the popular current, to go with the mass and preach smooth things which would please the people. But will God sanction such a course? Not if we read the Bible aright. We invite all who love the plain, unvarnished word of God, and the pure, simple gospel, to come to the tent and hear our reasons for the positions we take. That there are many honest, devout souls in all the churches, we believe and know; but you know as well that they are in the minority.

To the Ministers.

DEAR BRETHREN: You know that there is no calling so sacred, so high, and so infinitely responsible as that of professed ambassadors for Jesus Christ, the glory of the Lord. They take upon their hands the eternal destiny of many souls for weal or woe. God will require these souls or their blood at our hands.

How infinitely important, then, for others and ourselves that we stand in the counsel of God. Says the Lord, "When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest not the warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul." Eze. 3:18, 19.

Among those who will receive the severest punishment at the Judgment will be unfaithful ministers. This the Bible everywhere teaches. No class are in greater danger of perdition than ministers themselves. Their profession is higher; their responsibility is greater; the people look to them for instruction and example. Besides there is always a great and pressing temptation for a minister to soften the word of God, to seek to please his people, and to gain the sympathy and applause of his congregation, to avoid offending the rich, to lower the standard for those whom he otherwise would not catch, to shut his eyes to sins which he knows ought to be rebuked, and to court the favor of the world so as to build up his church and make sure of his own living. Farther, we are in constant danger of coming to a standstill, of being satisfied with the reforms that our fathers wrought, without carrying still further such disagreeable work. God's truth is progressive, and requires constant advancement. It is so easy to stick to the old cart-ruts, to take the side of the old, established, and popular views, and fail to discern when the Spirit of God is really moving out a much-needed reform, either in doctrine or practice.

My brethren, you know that this has ever been the case in the past. Who opposed our Saviour? Who stood between him and the people? Were they not the priests, the lawyers, the Pharisees, and the professed teachers of Israel? How often he upbraided them with standing in the way of sinners, and hindering his work. He told the lawyers that they had taken away the key of knowledge from the people; that they would not enter into the kingdom of God themselves, and those who would they hindered. And he told the proud Pharisees that the publicans and harlots would go into the kingdom before them. Worlds would not hire us to stand in the places of such men in the Judgment.

Who opposed Martin Luther? The priests, the bishops, and church dignitaries. Who were the greatest opposers of John Wesley, Bunyan, and other reformers? You know they were the same class. Proud, wealthy, educated, and popular, holding the mass of the people under their influence, they threw their whole weight against the work of God, and his humble servants. They hated and despised it; they ridiculed and misrepresented it; they would neither hear and investigate themselves, nor allow others to. Their proud hearts could not discern truth or beauty in the humble work of God.

When has the popular church ever been found on the Lord's side in a great reformation? Not once. God's servants have generally been humble, despised, and persecuted men. Brethren, do you think that this generation will be an exception to the general rule? Do you think that you can go right on enjoying the applause of the world, receiving high salaries, and being accounted among the honorable of the earth, and still be among the suffering followers of the despised and persecuted Nazarene? Be careful. Do not be deceived. Do not reject as error what the Judgment may show to be the truth of God. Have you heard it? Have you examined it? Or have you decided against it without examination? Perhaps you have read a tract, or heard a sermon; but was not your mind so full of prejudice that you really did not fairly weigh the arguments? Did you not rather read to condemn than to learn? In the language of the apostle we would warn you, "Beware, therefore, lest that come upon you which is spoken of in the prophets: Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish; for I work a work in your days, a work which you shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you." Acts 13:40, 41. You do not think that this applies to you, neither did they, but it did nevertheless.

We earnestly invite you to come and hear the reasons for our hope. We have books and tracts fully setting forth the doctrines which we advocate. If you will read them candidly it will be a pleasure for us to furnish you with them. We feel certain that we have important truths which this generation ought to hear. We shall be happy to visit with you at any time at our tent or at your homes.

We shall continue our meetings in the tent each evening and Sundays at the usual hours for ten days or more to come. We earnestly invite all to come and hear for themselves.

ELD. D. M. CANRIGHT, ELD. J. H. WAGGONER.