Our Camp-Meetings by Stephen N. Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 2, 1883

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 9, No. 29 Supplement

Our Camp-Meetings.

By Stephen N. Haskell

CAMP-MEETINGS are no novelty at the present day. When the Methodists commenced holding camp-meetings in this country, they did not meet with much approval from the devoted Puritanic Christians. But the Baptists, the Presbyterians, and nearly all denominations, have, during the past few years, sought the tented groves in which to worship the God of their fathers. “The groves were God’s first temples,” and ancient Israel held an annual gathering, in the autumn of each year, lasting three weeks; and in their booths, beholding nature’s grandeur, they worshiped their Creator.

It is now fifteen years since the Seventh-day Adventists adopted the plan of holding camp-meetings. Commencing in the early spring in southern Kansas, these annual gatherings are held in each of the Eastern, Western, Middle, and Southern States, as far as Alabama and Texas. Not less than twenty-five of these State meetings are held every year, and they have always been marked with the most perfect order and quietness. Over one hundred thousand people attend these meetings during the season, many of whom, for the first time, become acquainted with the views of that denomination.

Although two-score years, the length of time Israel wandered in the wilderness, have not passed since the Seventh-day Adventists were first organized as a denomination, our members have rapidly increased, numbering, at the present time, about thirty thousand believers in this country. Besides, there are missions in England, Switzerland, Norway, and Prussia. These extend their operations throughout Europe, and into Asia and Africa. The isles of the Mediterranean, as well as those of the Pacific Ocean, contain believers to this faith.

We are a temperance people, strongly advocating that Christians should regard their bodies as temples of the Holy Ghost; and that it is a religious duty to discard, not only alcoholic beverages, but articles in both food and drink, which disarrange the system and destroy health. These views have lead us to engage in the temperance work, in the organization of temperance clubs, and such other means as will advance the cause in which so many are at present interested. We are also a missionary people, as seen by the extension of our work to all parts of the world. All members of the denomination are invited to become members of our missionary organizations, and thus become active laborers in the cause of their Master. In the work of these members a prominent part is the distribution of their publications, far and near. Colporteurs go out visiting families from house to house, pointing suffering humanity to Him who has said, “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Ship missions have been established in San Francisco, New York, Boston, and New Bedford, in America, and Liverpool and Hull, in England; and religious reading matter is placed on nearly every vessel that leaves these ports.

The Sabbath-school interest is also made an important means of educating the youth, and instructing men and women in the truths of God’s sacred word.

We believe in a progressive faith as well as in exploring new fields. That there has been a great departure from the pure doctrines of the Bible, all must admit; and we believe that a return to these principles, and a restoration of the original gospel simplicity, is the work for these times.

S. N. HASKELL.