The Approaching Camp-Meetings.
By George I. Butler
As these meetings draw near, it seems important that all should estimate them at their real value, and show it by their actions. It has been very generally admitted that the camp-meetings have been a very great blessing to the cause, since they were started among us; and many who have attended them have expressed themselves very thankful they were permitted to do so. And it is generally the case that those even who have expressed doubts whether they could leave home to attend such meetings, after they have felt their influence upon their hearts, have confessed their joy that they did leave home, and make an effort to serve God. From remarks dropped in different places, I have feared many of our people would not attend the camp-meetings this year, and that with some at least their importance is not properly appreciated. Let us consider the design of these meetings. They are intended to meet a general want which exists among our people. It is a well known fact that we have comparatively little preaching among our churches, some of them not oftener than once in six months or a year, and we have many scattered Sabbath-keepers in all the Northern States, who rarely have a chance to attend at all. We are living in a bustling, hurrying age. There are all kinds of schemes to take up the minds of the people. The world, the world, the world, is the grand theme of all classes and conditions. Real or fancied wants of a temporal nature are the ones that absorb the attention of all. We may depend upon it, the great mass of those who are lost, will discover the cause of their ruin to be love of the world. The book of God sets the sinfulness of this before us. “If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” “Ye cannot serve God and mammon,” that is, earthly riches; and there are many other texts of like import. We all know that a constant strain in one direction, will stamp its impress upon the mind,189giving it a bias and coloring not easily effaced. To counteract this constant danger, God has taught his people in his word the duty of meeting “together to exhort one another,” and the apostle significantly adds, in view of the perilous nature of the last days, “and so much the more as ye see the day approaching.” Our common prayer and social meetings are invaluable to accomplish this object. But when common gifts meet once or twice every week year after year, there is quite likely to be a sort of sameness in the general exercises. Those who thus meet are busily engaged in physical labor most of the time, and the mind is in danger of being dwarfed and cramped, while the mental faculties are measurably unused. Secular things come to appear important, while there is much danger of sacred truth not being appreciated at its proper value. And in many places when there is preaching it is not of that character to rouse and inspire the mind enough to bring it out of the rut in which it has gone so long. Our prosperity as a people depends upon the spiritual condition of our members very much. When that suffers nothing else can supply the lack. Money, talent, or theory, will not do it. To meet this want our large camp-meetings are appointed, and the best available talent among us to do the work is called in. As we look over the meetings of this kind, which have been held in the past, our experience teaches us they were invaluable. We fear not to say that those who have attended them with a will to work for God, and place themselves in a position where God could consistently bless them, have made far greater spiritual growth, than those who remained at home. Is there not a crying need of growth among our people? Shall the very means which God has ordained to accomplish the object be neglected, and our people suffer for lack of the light they need because they cannot spend time to attend? Will they allow the few dollars it would cost them to go, to stand in the way of their receiving the very blessing they need? Shall our people toil year in and year out for the things that perish, and not be able to spend a week or two in God's service? In ancient times ancient Israel must appear at least three times before the Lord, every male among their tribes, and many of them had to go long distances to do so. Is it too much now when we are looking for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the destruction of all earthly wealth, to appear once before him to renew our vows of consecration, and get a deeper draught from the wells of salvation? Some seem to think so; and I understand there are whole churches in some places who think they can't afford it. Poor souls: may God pity them and alarm them; for this view of the subject shows that they themselves are in desperate need of this very help. Instead of a falling off, the attendance ought to be more and more general. The apostle says, “and so much the more as ye see the day approaching.” It would seem that some do not see the day approaching, or are not willing to heed the language of the word of God. The cost of these meetings to the cause is no small item. The importance of this labor bestowed should be taken into serious consideration. The prominent laborers in the past who have given their whole summer's work to them, have of course been kept from other very important labor. If the people do not appreciate them enough to generally attend, then the great object will be lost, and much valuable labor be spent in vain. There is great danger that many will take a narrow, contracted view of the great work in which we are engaged, and be contented to have their mental vision circumscribed within narrow limits, and lose sight of the fearful responsibilities that rest upon us as a people. Brethren and sisters, this is the closing work of God for the world. This is the last message of mercy. This work is to prepare a people for the coming of Christ; and if you and I are not faithful to it, God will give the crowns we might have to others, and we shall be called unfaithful stewards. Let us place ourselves where we can be imbued with the spirit of the work. If all our friends could realize the cost the labor and the burden that falls upon the servants of God in laboring for the good of the people in these meetings, they would feel the importance of attending, and sharing in the blessing. We expect Bro. and sister White will meet with us the coming season. But very few realize their worn condition; and it is their anxiety to benefit the people, alone, that causes them to go forth in such physical weakness to labor in word and doctrine. Will our people manifest indifference to their own well being, when others manifest such interest for them? If they do, they will surely suffer a very great loss. How many we think of who owe to these meetings the hope they now have; who there found Christ to the joy of their souls; and how many more there are who might be benefited in like manner, if all who love the truth would stand in the light, and be minute men to bring their friends and their children in reach of the means God has instituted for their salvation. And how will a neglect of this plain duty appear when we are called to the bar of God to answer for the responsibilities and the light that has been given us as individuals and as a people? Let us not be weary in well doing for we shall reap in due season if we faint not. Have any been sorry as they returned from a good meeting that they had given time and labor to be present? Shall we be sorry for any such effort when we see the grave yawning before us, or the Son of Man coming in the clouds of Heaven? In them we have value tested. When men are brought to such times they will be sensible. Why not then act as we shall wish we had then. This would be truly wise. Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, May 15, 1872.