p. 76 | The Camp-Meeting by Uriah Smith

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 25, 1874

The Camp-Meeting.

By Uriah Smith

Of the late camp-meeting in this place, we cannot cease thinking. As we now look back upon it, its many encouraging incidents and results are clothed with new interest. It was a better meeting than can be described. No sight could be more pleasant and soul-inspiring than the immense congregation, seated in the shade of the lofty trees of the beautiful grove, intently listening to the words of solemn truth that were uttered in their ears.

But it was not the congregation, in itself considered, that made the scene impressive; for they may be seen almost anywhere; but that which lifted the occasion above all those of common interest was the thought of what had called the people together, and the purpose for which they had come. They were not there for pleasure or frivolity, but to consider the weightiest matters that can engage the attention of man; and that which had called them together was a movement which claims to be the final warning to the world of the close of this dispensation, and which to the many evidences already given, then, in the large assembly of believers, added another, that the hand of the Lord is in the work. This was the largest assemblage of Sabbath-keepers ever to gather in America, and the largest the world has seen for at least many hundreds of years.

We can look back to no time when this message was able to present so much strength as it presents to-day; and it seemed that at the camp-meeting the Lord gave his ambassadors unwonted power, and they touched a higher key of force and clearness than ever before in their exposition of these great truths. And their words were not without effect upon those who heard.

But the object of the meeting may be largely defeated, and its possible results largely lost, unless especial care is exercised by those who attended. If they suffer re-action to follow, which the enemy will not be slow to try to bring about, and if they fail to put into practice the lessons they learned, and lose the force of the stirring exhortations they heard, and forget their vows, a loss will be sustained which it will be hard to regain. Let these avenues through which the enemy will be sure to urge his approaches be especially guarded. One great secret of progress in the Christian life is to keep the ground we gain. What an increase of light should be shed abroad all through this Conference, as the result of this camp-meeting.

Some very cheering and promising conversions occurred on this occasion, from which, unless our hopes are greatly misplaced, we may expect the most encouraging results.

This meeting has deepened the conviction that the great question for this time is the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and the great issue is to be between his requirements and the institutions of men. All other questions pertaining to the present and the near future are side issues. This may sound like the rankest egotism and conceit; but God's word will be fulfilled; and just such a movement as that in which we are engaged, and just such a warning as that which we are enlisted to give, lie right amid the events which, according to his word, must in these last days be accomplished. And He who could and would have put a tongue into the dumb stones by the wayside, to proclaim his first advent, had his disciples faltered, will find agents to do his parallel work to-day. This message must everywhere come to the surface, and in every direction it must come to the front. Forward, ye commandment-keeping hosts, on your grand and glorious mission! U. S.