Pleasure Seeking at Camp-Meetings.
A SISTER in Minnesota sends us the following timely thoughts respecting the manner in which these sacred seasons should be improved: As camp-meeting season approaches, my mind is drawn out after those who will go to seek worldly pleasure at these gatherings. Nothing so deadens the spirit of these meetings as this one great sin. The young, especially, are in danger of losing the blessing God designs to give. I have been to these places of worship and seen some who arrived before the opening session, who appeared as though they had nothing to do or think of but to collect in small groups to have a general visit and to enjoy a social chit-chat, or separate in couples walking about the grounds and frequently riding out to places from five to ten miles distant and run the risk of being absent at some very important meeting. This they do instead of trying to prepare themselves, through the medium of secret prayer, for the blessing which they might receive. In all these associations and visits, do we hear the name of God mentioned? Do we hear them pleading with their young and unconverted friends to forsake the vanities and pleasures of earth, and go with them to that beautiful home beyond this life? We have good reason to fear that these precious themes are not the subject of conversation. If they were, the time would be much more profitably spent, and greater good would be accomplished. These walks, talks, and rides, we often hear styled “courting at camp-meeting.” My dear young brethren and sisters, these things ought not so to be. We should try to show to those around us that we are aiming for something higher and more elevated than to be a mere seeker after earthly pleasure. What lasting enjoyment do we experience in this? Not any. It leaves a sting behind, and we are conscience-smitten and feel we have not received the expected blessing. Perhaps you cannot tell why this blessing has been withheld. It is because it has not been sought. The time that should have been employed in close self-examination and humble supplication at the throne of grace has been trifled away in seeking your own amusements, and now those precious moments have gone, and you are as far, perhaps much farther, from receiving the blessing than you were when you started for that holy gathering. Oh! why do the young, aye, and the middle-aged too, resort to these things? Do you realize, my friends, that you will have an account to give for the way you improve your time while at this place? It is certainly so, and an awful account I fear it will be for some. Let us awake to the importance of these holy convocations. The camp-meeting of this summer may be the last you will ever attend. Death may come with his icy fingers and snatch you from the embrace of near and dear friends; and shall they be left to mourn as those who have no hope? I fear they will without you arouse to a sense of your fearful situation; and more fearful still, you will have to stand before the bar of God, to bear his withering frown, and hear him say, “Depart from me, I never knew you.” We would say to the friends in Minnesota especially, Let us try to set an example to those around us at the coming camp-meeting, that will be worthy of imitation.