Camp Meetings by A. R. Sandborn

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 26, 1902

Camp Meetings

By A. R. Sandborn

A. R. SANDBORN

In the days of Israel the Lord’s people came together three times a year to worship God. This was his plan; and as long as his people followed the plan he gave them, it was a means of unifying them; for when they met from all Palestine, coming from their different surroundings and experiences, and mingling together, it was a source of comfort and encouragement to them to learn how God had worked for each. The Lord also met them there in an especial manner. “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1 Cor. 10:11; Rom. 15:4.

The Lord has told us that “the camp meeting is one of the most important agencies in our work. It is one of the most effective methods of arresting the attention of the people, and reaching all classes with the gospel invitation.” See “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, page 31. This being so, what should be our attitude to the camp meeting? or rather, What would God have us do? The time is near when our Lord is coming to take his faithful children home. We are admonished, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Heb. 10:24, 25. “It is important that the members of our churches should attend our camp meetings. The enemies of truth are many; and because our numbers are few, we should present as strong a front as possible. Individually, you need the benefits of the meeting, and God calls upon you to number one in the ranks of truth. Some will say, ‘It is expensive to travel, and it would be better for us to save the money, and give it for the advancement of the work where it is so much needed.’ Do not reason in this way. God calls upon you to take your place among the rank and file of his people. Strengthen the meeting all you possibly can by being present with you, your families. . . . Brethren and sisters, it would be far better for you to let your business suffer than to neglect the opportunity of hearing the message God has for you. Make no excuse that will keep you from gaining every spiritual advantage possible.”—Vol. VI, pages 38, 39.

If Israel of old had seen in the meetings appointed by God the blessing for them, they never would have gone into idolatry; and “if the children of Israel needed the benefits of these holy convocations in their time, how much more do we need them in these last days of peril and conflict! And if the people of the world then needed the light which God had committed to his church, how much more do they need it now!”

We are told to seek first the kingdom of heaven, and are assured that all other necessary things will be added unto us. We have before us the word of God concerning our camp meetings. Their importance to us in these times of conflict is plainly set forth. Are we going to heed the call of God, and come up to the feast of good things that he has for his people at these gatherings? or are we going to let the world come in between God and us, and willingly feed upon its husks until we starve to death?

Our dear Father in heaven has given us many rich blessings in the past, but these are nothing compared with what he is waiting to give us.

Brethren and sisters, the latter rain is due, and are we ready to step in and be refreshed by its copious showers? If so, let us be willing to give up the things of this world, that we may be prepared for the fierce conflict that is just upon us.