The Introduction of Camp-Meetings
By J. O. Corliss
Experiences of Former Days—No. 14
The Introduction of Camp-Meetings
THE year 1868 was an eventful one in the progress of the third angel’s message. Soon after the General Conference, held that year in May, Brother and Sister White returned to their Greenville home. Shortly after their return, Elder Uriah Smith came to assist Brother White in his writing, and remained a few weeks. During his stay many seasons of prayer and consultation were held. July 24 Elder J. N. Andrews returned to Brother White’s home, and spent much time with him and Sister White in studying plans for the advancement of the work. Day after day, for some weeks, the three might be seen wending their way to the back of the farm, and into a grove of oaks situated there, and then the voice of earnest pleading could be heard, as one after another supplicated the throne of Heaven for guidance. After a few weeks of this importunate entreaty, it was announced in the family that a new thing was to be tried for the uplifting of the people. A camp-meeting would be held as soon as preparations for it could be completed. From that time on for weeks camp-meeting plans were the order of conversation at each family gathering,—at breakfast, dinner, and at each prayer season. Early in August, Brother and Sister White went to Wright, in Ottawa County, Mich., and upon returning home, articles were written for the REVIEW AND HERALD, announcing the intention to hold the camp-meeting in Wright, beginning September 1. When the announcement appeared, many were the criticisms offered concerning the wisdom of such a move. Some thought that the introduction of camp-meetings would open the way for gross immoralities. Others thought it was copying after “Babylon,” and should not be countenanced. But all these criticisms had been anticipated, and articles were written showing that all the fears expressed were groundless. On the other hand, the articles set forth the advantages to be gained in having brethren from widely separated churches come together, exchange greetings, and work together as a united body for the building up of the work, thus avoiding sectionalism in the cause of God. So at the appointed time, two or three hundred persons, including twenty or more from Wisconsin and New York, were found assembled in a beautiful oak wood on the farm of Elder E. H. Root. The family tents were improvised structures made of cotton sheeting, of any size which struck the fancy of those building them. There was no thought of permanency in making these temporary lodgings, the suggestion having been made that, after the meeting, they could be utilized for domestic purposes. The family tents, such as they were, were about thirty in number, and ranged in a semicircle back of a large area of rough boards elevated on risers, placed for the seating of the congregation during the preaching. Directly in front of these primitive seats was built a covered stand of the same rough material, from which three ringing discourses were delivered daily for one week. The sermons were mostly by Elders White and Andrews, though Elders Matteson and Van Horn, and one other minister from New York, each delivered one discourse. Some stirring things were said at that meeting, which went far toward unifying the people. One solemn expression from Elder White, “It is court week in heaven; have your cases ready for trial, brethren,” made so lasting an impression that it was repeated over and over in public for several years. Another statement by Brother Matteson left a serious impression on many. It was11this: “It is a terrible thing for a man to have his own way.” But there was one feature of the arrangements at that first meeting which ought not to be overlooked, and that was the book stand. It was not a roomy, carpeted tent, having extensive glass show-cases, and illuminated with electric lights. There were no sensational placards announcing that certain books were on sale. It consisted simply of three twelve-foot boards, so placed in the forks of three low trees as to form a triangle. Inside of this stood the salesman with his books on three sides of him. Not even a chair graced this primitive book shop. Indeed, there was little time to use such an appendage; for whenever the books were on exhibition, sales were so brisk as to keep the clerk actively on his feet. More than six hundred dollars’ worth of books was disposed of during the week of the camp-meeting. Those living who were present at that meeting, if they see these lines, will doubtless recall with pleasure that occasion, and, with the writer, agree that it was one of the best camp-meetings they have ever attended. Nor is that all. That camp-meeting marked an era for good to all the cause. The prejudice formerly existing against such gatherings was entirely allayed, and the next year similar meetings were held in several States of the Middle West.