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THE CAMP-MEETINGS

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 10, 1876

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 48, No. 7.

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THE CAMP-MEETINGS.

By James White

The western camp-meetings were the best ever held by our people in that portion of the field. And if our eastern people come up to the help of the Lord, as is their privilege and duty, the remaining meetings of the season will be the best ever held in the eastern field.
1. Let there be a general turnout of all our people as far as possible.
2. The brethren and sisters should bring their children and friends, with a determination to labor for their salvation.
3. And as our people thus present themselves before the Lord they should not come empty handed. Even the poor widow brought her two mites. Those who wait until that time, will find it a good opportunity to pay pledges on the College and to increase the amount of their stock. And we shall expect to enter upon the books of our Educational Society a host of new stockholders.
The field of our labors is rapidly extending, calling for new plans, and increased vigilance. But a few years since we had but one camp-meeting. There are now so many that it is not possible for any set of laborers to attend them all, and do themselves and these important meetings justice. Mrs. W. and the writer have frequently made the remark the present season that this is the last complete round of camp-meetings we shall ever attempt.
Our cares and labors are very great, week after week, at these meetings. Those who attend but one camp-meeting a year, and get weary and worn at that, without labor, should be able to form something of an idea of the strain upon us to labor intensely hard at fifteen in one year, besides all the travel, packing and unpacking. And yet but very few seem to give a moment's thought in this direction. Frequently our young ministers improve the occasion of our camp-meetings to visit and backslide.
Sometimes we are left to pitch our tent, when really too weary to stand, then to take the stand to speak; next are rushed into a business session; and then, after filling up each long day, from 5 A. M. to 9:30 P. M., to pack up, and take down the tent. The brethren are generally too busy or too thoughtless to assist. But when about to leave, when we wish to be left alone to complete arrangements for the train, then scores rush in to say a word, ask advice, or attend to some item of neglected business. These neglects and inconsistencies are fast wearing us out, and forcing us to be present at our camp-meetings but two days each at most.
We warn our young ministers against going to camp-meeting to be idle and backslide. We see no reason why they should leave a good interest to come to camp-meeting. The big tent will be on the Michigan camp-ground, therefore no need of shipping smaller congregation tents. The plan of moving such tents to camp-meeting to be divided into apartments for families is wrong. Let all families provide themselves with tents. Any number of men can lodge in the big tent. Women must be accommodated in family tents.
The big Michigan tent, 80x120 can be had by those Conferences who will pay $50 for one camp-meeting, and meet all expenses, and make good damages should they occur.
Come to the camp-meetings. Come with hands, hearts and purses open to help, to sympathize, and to push forward the great cause.
J. W.