The Coming Camp-Meetings.
By George I. Butler
As these most important meetings are so soon to commence, I cannot refrain from saying a few words through the REVIEW in regard to them, desiring, if possible, to add my mite of influence to that of others in inducing our brethren to attend them and endeavor to make them seasons of great blessing and importance. I say this all the more freely as I do not expect to attend them as I have for the last three years. As will be seen in another article, I design to labor in a new field in tent labor. This will doubtless be best for the cause and for me, for several reasons. Experience has clearly demonstrated that a change of gifts is desirable and important from time to time for the good of the people who hear preaching. Ministers are mere human instrumentalities, through whom the word of God is discoursed. Their ministrations are very liable to be more or less affected by their own peculiar organization. It is a great thing to be a whole man, with breadth of mental caliber sufficient to avoid running into peculiar personal ruts. But few attain to this. Far more give a personal impress to those who continually dwell under their influence until their characters become warped according to the peculiar idiosyncrasies of the preacher. To change, giving the people the benefit of different gifts from time to time, is therefore desirable. On the other hand, it is good for the preacher himself to change and be brought into new relations. His labor is liable to become molded by the peculiar circumstances which continually affect him, till he becomes more one-sided than before. The labor in camp-meetings and large gatherings of our own people calls for certain peculiar characteristics. I have been earnestly engaged in these labors for three seasons past, while brethren of greater experience and ability were called to something else, or laid up partially from over-labor. I rejoice with my brethren that those will take hold this summer who have had long experience in the work, and whom our brethren have greatly missed in the past, while I feel thankful for a change myself to another field. But I cannot forbear to express my deep interest that the camp-meetings this season shall be well attended, and be seasons of great interest. If I thought that I had any personal friends whom my influence would bring to them, who would not otherwise attend, I would earnestly advise them to be on the ground in season, and to work for God. Bro. White, we see in recent articles in REVIEW, has laid out a vigorous programme for these meetings. For one, I do earnestly desire that this may be carried out to the letter, and that these meetings may surpass any ever held before in interest. I have always felt there was a want not fully met in them. Although we have had excellent camp-meetings, in which our brethren and sisters have reaped a great benefit, yet there is, I am sure, a higher point to be attained in them—a greater work to be accomplished through them, and I much wish it may be approached the present season. Our camp-meetings are a most important instrumentality of grace, where souls should be converted to God, backsliders reclaimed, the people generally receive a clearer insight into the depths of the truth, and a general awakening and arousing should be attained. This may be accomplished if ministers and people act up to their whole duty. We hope our friends will put away their unbelief, their coldness and apathy, and make all reasonable efforts to attend the coming camp-meetings. Doubtless there are some in peculiar circumstances who may be justified in remaining at home; but this cannot be generally the case with our people. These are the great occasions of each year with us. This is where the Lord has often met with us, and many of our friends have had relatives and acquaintances converted here. Make the best of these opportunities, friends, while you have them. Our people generally, years before this, have greatly desired the presence of Bro. and sister White and were disappointed when they could not have this privilege. Now that you can have their presence improve the opportunity. Encourage them by your zeal and earnestness in the truth, put away from yourselves your unbelief, your coldness and distrust of the cause, and take a new, fresh hold upon the pillars of our glorious faith. At these meetings you will hear things and see things that will encourage you, we may reasonably hope. May God greatly bless the coming camp-meetings and all who labor in them. GEO. I. BUTLER.