The Camp-Meetings by George I. Butler

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 17, 1874

The Camp-Meetings.

By George I. Butler

In every important enterprise, it is best to plan beforehand. In this way, success is most likely to result. We have found out by past experience that these meetings are of vast importance to the cause. This is being demonstrated more and more every season.

The principal labor before our ministers is in new fields. Considering the greatness of the work to be done, and the limited number of laborers to perform it, it would be the height of absurdity for our churches to expect continual help from the ministers. The churches must not only mainly take care of themselves but be educating the best talent in their midst for usefulness beyond their own limits.

The missionary spirit must be greatly stimulated among us. Our churches must consider it nothing less than sinful to take up the time and strength of the minister in settling petty difficulties which grow out of unsanctified and selfish hearts, when souls are liable to perish around them for lack of that very labor. The available strength at our command must be used in carrying the light of truth to precious souls in darkness. With earnest efforts and yearning hearts, we must search out the honest here and there.

But there are certain things connected with the prosperity of the cause among our own people which must not be neglected. The minds of the people need to be stirred up to correctly view the importance of the work, the nearness of the end, the responsibilities of the hour, the pecuniary wants of the cause, and, especially, the necessity of a holy character, perfect and complete, which will stand the test of the Judgment.

It is not every one that preaches that can do this effectually. Some gifts excel in this particular direction; but they are so few in number that they cannot go to every church. Now, the camp-meetings furnish the best opportunity we can have to do this work. Our people need the relaxation from busy care which they afford. The surroundings are favorable and inviting. They should be made periods of great religious interest and solemnity. Our best and most powerful gifts should be on the ground. And it is not too much to say that the mass of our people should attend them.

I pity the moral blindness of those Sabbath-keepers who profess to be looking for the Lord, who will be kept away from such privileges from mere pecuniary considerations. I have carefully noticed the effect of this habitual absence from these gatherings upon our people, and I notice that uniformly they suffer a loss, and give evidence of the same. It is useless to say that our people cannot generally attend these State gatherings. I know they can; for we have some in almost every church, who do go nearly every time, who always expect to go. They plan for it, and they could not be persuaded to stay away. And it is not by any means the richest who do this, or those only who live nearest. There are scores who stay away from every meeting, who live nearer than some who attend. But it is zeal and earnestness which accomplishes this latter result.

In ancient Israel, three times a year every male must thus appear before the Lord. Deut. 16:16. They could do this in that age, when traveling on foot was the only resource of many. It is much easier to do this now, when such swift conveyances are at our command.

The attendance at these meetings is quite a good thermometer to determine the spiritual temperature of the different Conferences. Of course, circumstances have a bearing upon this. They are more favorable in some than in others; but, as a general rule, this is so. The friends of the cause in Missouri and Kansas made a special effort last spring to come out to the meeting. In no Conference did I find that it cost greater sacrifice than in this. And we had a good meeting; and the Lord blessed our efforts. His Spirit has been at work upon the people there ever since. And, considering all the circumstances, very encouraging results have been reached. Labor there has been blessed by an encouraging ingathering of souls.

So of Minnesota. Of late, I have learned from the president of the Conference that at least one hundred have embraced the truth there within a very few months. I might mention other Conferences. But, on the other hand, those States where there were but few comparatively attending, the cause seems struggling against adversity.

Illinois and New York should be determined not to have another camp-meeting pass, with such a small attendance as there was last season. The brethren should resolve, even now, to be prepared for the camp-meetings, and labor with reference to them. They cannot afford to deprive themselves of so great a blessing. It is for their good that they are held. And they are the ones who suffer a loss if they fail to attend. When great blessings are offered to us, and we refuse them, we cannot expect a continuation of God’s approbation.

While, therefore, we regard these meetings as so important, and the necessity of attending them so great, we should endeavor to prepare for them properly. Those Conferences, especially in the Western States, where the earlier camp-meetings will be held, which have not purchased them fixed grounds upon which to hold them, should be deciding their location at once. These should report to the REVIEW Office at once where they are to be held, so that the General Conference Committee will not be obliged to wait till the last moment before they know where to appoint.

There were several of our meetings held last season, when the notice was not sufficiently long, and some would have come if they had known earlier when and where they would be held. The notice should be given at least six weeks earlier than the meeting. We hope camp-meeting committees will act promptly upon this suggestion. All who see the notice need time to plan and get ready.

In making selections for grounds, those should be chosen which are attractive and commodious, where a plentiful supply of good water can be obtained. They should be as central as possible for the mass of the Sabbath-keepers of each respective Conference. Every ground should be inclosed, so that stock of all kinds can be shut off the grounds, and so that teams cannot be driven into the midst of the camp. Entire control of the ground should be obtained, so that none can annoy us, and we have no redress.

Every committee should see to it that proper arrangements are made to supply those in attendance with food, and those arrangements should be under the entire control of the committee. They should not, under any circumstances, admit irresponsible parties who will sell tobacco, in any of its villainous forms, and possibly liquor also, and who will often keep a crowd of idle fellows around to disturb public worship. Having had some experience in the workings of these things, I speak the more plainly. I hold that, if there are profits to be made at such a gathering, they should certainly go to those who have the expenses to meet. I see no justice at all in our people going to considerable expense to fit up grounds properly, furnishing seats for the congregations, and bringing ministers hundreds of miles on the railroads, as well as coming themselves long distances, and thus bringing about a large gathering which will make a demand for various articles, and then letting some shrewd worldling come in and put up a stand, and take away fifty or one hundred dollars clear profit, while those who have had all the labor put their hands into their own pockets, and pay all the expenses.

Some of our Conferences have learned how to manage these things, so that almost all their expenses are met from sales at the stand. They can there furnish such things as are proper to be sold, and control those which are not. Our committees should consider these things, and plan accordingly, and not let irresponsible parties, under any circumstances, put up stands near their grounds. In many States, and in perhaps all, the law makes provision for this very thing, and gives no right for parties, whether they own land near, or not, to set up stands for long distances away, without permission. It would be well for committees to ascertain just what right the law does give, and act accordingly. I have seen considerable trouble arising from these causes, and I speak in season.

Every camp-meeting should see that a proper and efficient committee is appointed to keep order, and to keep things neat and tidy. Grounds should be secured where teams can be kept at some distance from where the people camp, that no offensive odors may annoy.

Those who are accustomed to bringing their dogs to meeting, should find some other place for them; for it is not discernible that the dogs receive much benefit from the meeting, while it is decidedly unpleasant to be annoyed all night with their barking, and all day with their disturbance of the services. Having had some experience, we can say we speak from personal knowledge.

Our people should be planning in reference to tents, &c., even at this early day. Those who have means can purchase family tents, nice and comfortable, for a moderate price, while churches can get larger ones which will accommodate many.

People should plan to care for others, as well as themselves. There are always more or less people who are poor, or who come long distances, or, perhaps, strangers who need to be cared for. These gatherings are designed to bring souls to the truth. Our hearts should be full of liberality and interest. Much depends upon the influence of our camp-meetings. There is no better place to bring those who are half persuaded to obey the truth. Strong moral influences prevail in such a gathering, which oftentimes balance the scale in the right direction. Therefore, everything should be made as favorable as possible.

These meetings will be more and more important till the end. Let us plan for it, dear brethren, and make them so. This cause is onward. Let us be determined to add our tithe of influence, and help make the camp-meeting season of 1874 the most important of any. We earnestly desire the attendance of Bro. and sister White at these meetings, and in behalf of our people generally, we extend to them an earnest invitation to cross the Rocky Mountains, and meet with the old and new friends of the cause in their annual convocations. Their presence will give a special impetus to the work, and greatly add to the interest of the meetings. We hope they will find it consistent with their views of duty to come.

GEO. I. BUTLER, Pres. Gen. Conf.