Northern Camp-Meetings by Editor

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 19, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 12.

Northern Camp-Meetings.

By Editor

THE brethren of the Upper Columbia Conference have decided to hold their camp-meeting in Milton, Oregon, June 3–10. The North Pacific Conference held theirs last year in East Portland, June 19 to 30. This year it will probably be held in the same place, and near the same time.

We are glad to learn that these Conferences are increasing in courage and in strength. The discouragements that rested on them for several years seems to have mostly passed away. Elder Decker is visiting the churches in Upper Columbia, in company with Elder Loughborough, and thus becoming well acquainted with his field before the regular work of the season begins. It is expected that Elder Raymond will join Elder Decker in the work the coming summer. Although we have been disappointed in our calculations in behalf of Idaho, that field is not forgotten; we expect that labor will be done there the coming season—and begin as soon as possible. The brethren in that Conference are making calculations for a vigorous campaign, and we believe they will be sustained in their efforts. For years we have urged them to go forward and extend the field of their operations. The country is growing very fast. They have now two railroad lines from the Columbia River to the East, and their utmost efforts will scarcely enable them to keep pace with the increase of population. Our earnest prayers go up in behalf of the Upper Columbia Conference.

But we were struck with a remark made by Elder Loughborough in a letter recently received. Speaking of a certain locality, he said that while the brethren had been intent on increasing their earthly possessions, their children had drifted away into the world. The result in such a case needs no telling. If the parents choose this world for their portion, the children can only be expected to go with the world. And if the children perish with the world, as they surely will unless they are speedily rescued, the blame will rest upon the unfaithful, worldly-minded parents, who must then also perish with their earthly treasures. We have noticed with deep regret, for several years, that there were some brethren in Washington who resisted every appeal to arouse to a sense of their own condition and of the wants of the cause. We hope that their indifference to the truth of the message, and their earnestness in the service of mammon, have not pushed their children so far into the world that they cannot be recovered.

We believe there is a remedy which may be successfully applied. There is a chapter in Vol. 4 of the "Great Controversy" entitled "The Scriptures a Safeguard." There is a power in the word of God. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul." "The entrance of thy word giveth light." If an interest can be created in the minds of the young in the truths of the Bible, their feet may be turned into the path of righteousness. How shall this be done? Fortunately this question we can answer.

It is proposed that in connection with each of these Northern camp-meetings there be held a course of

BIBLE INSTRUCTION.

This instruction to be given in the form of class exercises, similar to those now so successfully carried on at the College in Healdsburg. We know that the deepest interest has been aroused in the minds of the classes in Healdsburg in their Bible studies, and the result has been favorably shown in the lives of the pupils. The youth cannot all be sent to the College, but they may all be given the benefit of the study of the Bible. We offer a few suggestions:—

1. Let the churches, all the parents, heartily second the efforts of the Conference Committee to have a course of Bible instruction in connection with the camp-meeting.

2. Let it commence some two weeks before the beginning of the camp-meeting, and be held right on through the meeting unto its close. By this means all in the camp may receive some benefit from them, and have a general interest created in them, and the interest in the class will increase up to the end.

3. Have the young people, not, however, to the exclusion of the older who may and ought to receive the same instruction, be upon the ground at the beginning of the class work. And when not in class, let them employ their time in Bible study, religious exercises, and in work in fitting up and adorning the ground for the coming meeting.

4. By this means they will come to take a personal interest in the ground and in the meeting, which will secure them against diversions during the meeting, and insure their continued interest in the instruction and in the religious exercises of the meeting.

And now we have another reason to offer why this course should be pursued. Your children need every effort that can possibly be put forth for their instruction and salvation. And, besides this, your Conferences need laborers. At the College we have proved that the young may become deeply interested in the work if placed under right influences and properly instructed.

We say to the friends in those Conferences, even if you do not have large classes, have your Bible course in connection with your camp-meetings. 1. It will be the means of interesting the young, and of infusing the spirit of work into all the friends of the cause. 2. If they are sustained by the churches, and especially by the parents, you may add to the working force of your Conferences; and this will be a benefit, if no more than one or two shall enter the field, or pledge themselves to the cause. 3. It will be a beginning which may bear more abundant fruit in years to come. And while you are making efforts in every other direction to lift the cause in Oregon and Washington, do not neglect this important branch. It has proved successful wherever tried, and you cannot afford to lose a year without making the trial.