New York Camp-Meeting by R. F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 26, 1873

New York Camp-Meeting.

By R. F. Cottrell

Those who had the privilege of attending this meeting from beginning to end, were privileged indeed. Those who might have been present, had they been so disposed, have suffered a great loss, a loss not easily recovered; while for those who were of necessity deprived the privilege, God will have a care, if their hearts are in his work, and supply all their wants.

The nature and extent of the work to which God has called us as a people were brought vividly before the mind. We have the most solemn and important message of truth to proclaim that the world ever heard—a message which is to decide the destiny of this generation of men and close their probation forever. It is a world-wide message, and the time is short in which this vast work is to be accomplished. We are far behind the indications of God’s word and providence in this work. Our profession demands a greater consecration of all that we have and are to the cause. Our labor and our sacrifices should be more proportionate to the magnitude and importance of the work.

The evidences that this is the work of God, that his hand has brought it to its present position and state of development, are overwhelming. There is no reason to doubt, and no honorable discharge, and no place of safety to which we may retreat from this work. Some have ceased to fight in the past and have skulked; some have deserted and gone over to the enemy. “Will ye also go away?” “To whom shall we go?” There is no place to which we may retreat. The only safe course is to go forward.

And there must be union, there must be order. An army without discipline and leadership cannot be successful. There is order in the work of God. In every special movement in the work of God, in every new development of truth in the great plan, God chooses whom he will to lead. His choice must be wise and judicious; therefore it is the best. No man is without fault—no man is infallible. But of such as are mankind, he will make the very best choice, all things considered, possible. It is God who leads. Those who murmur, murmur against God. We have our examples in the ancient people of God. Some of Israel rebelled; some discouraged the people with their lack of faith; some fell victims to their lusts; and some despised the food that God had given them, and grumbled at the health reform. “Now all these things happened to them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” Shall we be admonished by them? Shall we live up to the light God has given us? “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

The work of human salvation is a work of sacrifice—disinterested benevolence and self-denying labor for others’ good. Heaven set the example. “God spared not his own Son.” The Son “gave himself for us.” It is our reasonable service to give all in return. God’s people are those who make a covenant with him by sacrifice. “Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” First give ourselves. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” A full consecration of ourselves is of the first importance. Then our time, our talents, our means, our all, are to be devoted to the service of God. There is work for all to do. The truth must be got before the people. The world must be warned. The most available means are our publications. In these we have the means to scatter the light. All can help here. Will we follow the opening providence of God?

The war will soon be over, and the victors will be crowned. Those who endure to the end shall be saved. The heavenly meeting will soon come. Who, who will be there? That joy will have no end.

R. F. Cottrell.