Camp-Meetings by James White

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 13, 1875

Camp-Meetings.

By James White

The camp-meeting season is right upon us. In a week or two these gatherings in camp could be held in the southern part of Ohio, Indiana, or Illinois. Our camp-meetings have become so numerous that unless two or more are held the same week, the pleasant season of the year is hardly long enough for them all.

The present season is backward, and our friends in Ohio and Indiana decide not to hold their general camp-meetings in the month of May. And we decide that it would not be proper to hold camp-meetings in Missouri and Kansas during the intense heat of July.

Next week we hope to be able to give the time and place of each of our camp-meetings. At present we suggest: —

1. In view of the interest toward southern Illinois, and also toward northern Wisconsin (which calls the camp-meeting up as high as Sparta, Wis.), that there should be three camp-meetings in the two States the present season; one in, or near, Moultrie Co., Illinois; one in southern Wisconsin, or northern Illinois, and one at Sparta, Wis. The business sessions of both Conferences could be held at the general central meeting, which would leave the time of the other two meetings in the newer fields to be wholly devoted to religious services and devotional exercises. Should this plan be carried out, the first of the western camp-meetings could commence, May 27th, in southern Ill.; June 3d, in Iowa; the 10th, near the line of the two States of Wisconsin and Illinois; the 17th, in Minnesota; the 24th, at Sparta, Wis. We shall expect to hear from Elders R. F. Andrews and O. A. Olsen immediately.

2. Should the foregoing plan be accepted, it would give a period of one week between the two meetings for Illinois brethren, and a week between the two meetings for Wisconsin brethren. This would give time to move tents from one meeting to the other; and also in those families where some must abide at home, a part could attend one meeting, and a part the other. But if the plan is not regarded advisable, the four western camp-meetings can commence: Iowa, June 3d, Illinois, the 10th, Wisconsin, the 17th, and Minnesota, the 24th.

3. Michigan can hold two camp-meetings during the first two weeks of August.

4. Vermont; Massachusetts, Maine, New York, Ohio, and Indiana, can fill up August and September, and the friends in Missouri, Kansas, and other parts farther south, can throw in their claims for October and November. J. W.