THE INDIANA CAMP-MEETING.
By R. S. Donnell
There will be at least three camp-meetings in the State this year. The time and place for holding these meetings is given in the column of this paper containing the appointments for the camp-meetings for the season, and so we do not give them here. Ten days is the time set for each of these meetings. By reference to the appointments, it will be seen that there are eighteen days intervening between the Sullivan meeting and the La Fayette meeting, and ten days between the La Fayette meeting and the Muncie meeting. The time of holding these meetings was thus appointed in order that the meetings may be continued a week or more longer than the time announced, if the interest demands. These meetings are all announced as local meetings, and it is the desire of the committee to conduct them in harmony with the instruction given in a Special Testimony dated Feb. 26, 1900; that is, to present our faith and its reasons to the people, and to carry on revival work from the beginning to the end of the meeting. This will make these camp-meetings of special interest to our own people, and also to those not of our faith; for while doctrinal subjects will be presented with earnestness, the real object to be attained is the conversion of every soul. In the first-page article of the REVIEW of Feb. 27, 1900, we read this pointed statement: “The Lord calls upon his people in 1900 to be converted. The Lord can not purify the soul until the entire being is surrendered to the working of the Holy Spirit.” And in the Testimony already referred to, these words appear: “It is true conversion of the whole man that God requires.” And in still another I read: “God calls for fathers, mothers, and children to become partners with him in the great work of rescuing their own souls from Satan’s power. Let them unite with Christ, and strive with heart and mind and strength to save themselves through faith. When, through the grace of Christ, you have been converted, God calls upon you to wear his yoke, and labor in his lines to save other souls who are bound up with Satan, and who do not realize their peril. Hear me; for Christ’s sake, hear me. The season of God’s mercy will soon be ended.” In view of such words as these, how appropriate to spend the summer in camp-meetings, working for our own conversion, and for the conversion of others. I do not believe, brethren, that you can afford to miss these camp-meetings. If you stay away, you may miss just what the Lord has for you; so please don’t do that, but let all in reach of each meeting put forth every effort in their power to be there. As to the urgency of the work at the present time, the Testimony first referred to in this article, says: “Mark, if you will, how all through the word of God there is manifest the spirit of urgency, of imploring men and women to come to Christ, to deny appetites and passions that corrupt the soul. Men are urged to put away covetousness, to sell all that they have, and give alms.” And of our consecration to this work, it further says: “Let there be no defilement in thought. Let no impurity enter the secret chambers of the soul. Keep the mind uplifted. Let the will be brought into subjection to Christ. Look steadfastly unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Give prominence to the temperance reform, and call for signers to the temperance pledge. Everywhere call attention to this work, and make it a living issue.” As to the importance of the camp-meetings, and the way in which they should be conducted, the Testimony further says: “Our camp-meetings are one of the most important agencies in our work. At every camp-meeting work should be done for the children. Let suitable workers be constantly educating the children. Ask the blessing of the Lord on this seed sown, and the conviction of the Spirit of God will take hold of even the little ones. Through the children, many parents may be reached.” “The Lord has a special work for his delegated messengers. They are to give the invitation, ‘Come; for all things are now ready.’ This invitation is to be given to those who have not taken their position to obey the fourth commandment. These will rejoice that they have not been cut down as cumberers of the ground, while living in disobedience to the commandments of God. When they become enlightened, there is a vast reformation wrought in their whole religious life. They can say, as did the blind man whom Jesus healed, ‘Whereas I was blind, now I see.’” “Carry the revival service from the beginning to the end of the meeting. As souls are converted, let them be baptized. Let baptism be administered in an open stream, if possible, and give the occasion all the solemnity and importance that can be brought into it. The angels of God are always present at these services.” “The work of presenting the warning message to our world is a great and solemn work. The world has a right to know why we believe as we do. The camp-meetings afford opportunity for giving the information they desire. This work is plainly foretold in Isaiah. See chapters 41, 42, 43, 49, 55-58. This is the work to be done.” Brethren, one and all, everywhere throughout the State of Indiana, let me solicit your undivided interest and attention in these camp-meetings that are to be held in the different parts of the Conference during the summer and fall. Let me say, to every one of you, that while these meetings are announced as local meetings, they are, by no means, meetings of little importance. A world is to be warned, and a portion of that world lies within the boundary lines of this Conference. Not alone upon the ministry, but upon every individual member of the church, devolves no little share and responsibility in giving this message of warning. At these camp-meetings there will be a work for every one of you to do, and we wish you to be there. Please do not begin to say, “Well now, I really wanted to attend the camp-meeting nearest to me, but it comes just at the busiest time of all the year. My crops demand my attention just at that time, and I can’t go.” Brethren, the Lord is soon coming, and he has sent us the word, “Get ready, get ready, get ready.” Your own salvation, and that of your family, should far exceed any other interest, and now, yes, just now, demands your undivided attention. Do not let any trivial excuse or worldly consideration keep you away. If you live in the southern part of the State, begin at once to get ready to attend the meeting to be held at Sullivan, July 19-29. We extend to the brethren living in southern Illinois a cordial invitation to attend the meeting at Sullivan. Tents can be rented at reasonable rates.
R. S. DONNELL.