p. 126 | Early Camp-Meetings by M. E. C.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 15, 1875

Early Camp-Meetings.

By M. E. C.

It seems that camp-meetings began to be held by the Methodists about seventy-five years ago, and that they were then attended by the blessing and power of God. But the people were then more humble and devoted than the Methodists of the present day.

It was much easier then to maintain a spiritual and prayerful frame of mind than it is since the latter-day perils have come upon the world. Instead of less watchfulness and prayer there is now need of more, as the power of darkness has greatly increased.

The same conditions fulfilled now will bring the same blessings from God, who is the same in every age of the world.

The following extracts from “Father Boehm’s Memories of a Hundred Years,” mention some things of interest in connection with the first camp-meetings. M. E. C.

“I think camp-meetings began to be held by the Methodists about the beginning of this century. The Presbyterians and Methodists first held them as union meetings, and the Presbyterians finally withdrawing, the Methodists, finding that they were useful, continued to hold them. The first camp-meeting that I remember was held on the Peninsula, between the head of Chester and Smyrna, in 1805. There were a number of tents on the ground, in which families dwelt, and the preachers of the region were generally present. Dr. Chandler was in charge. A remarkable phenomena took place while the meeting was in progress, which I remember with great distinctness. A minister was preaching one day from the stand, to an attentive congregation, when a cloud came up from the west betokening speedy rain. The people began to be uneasy, and show signs of seeking shelter, when Dr. Chandler rose in the stand and in a positive manner told the people to remain seated, declaring that no rain would fall upon the encampment. The preachers were quite startled by this bold declaration, thinking that the doctor had overstepped the bounds of prudence, and that he would be confounded by the result. But, strange to say, just before the cloud reached the camp-ground it divided—one portion moving to the right and the other to the left—pouring out rain on either side, while no rain fell upon the camp. The impression produced by this striking event resulted in the conversion of very many souls.”

“Such a remarkable occurrence, signalizing the first camp-meeting held on the Peninsula, could not but create a favorable impression on the public mind in regard to these meetings. They continued thereafter every year, and in increasing numbers. They were occasions of great solemnity, and most respectful and reverent attention was given to the services by the religious portion of the community. The opening of a camp-meeting was an event that moved the country for many miles. All sorts of vehicles would be seen moving in the direction of the encampment, containing, in many instances, the utensils and provisions needful to the family during a week’s sojourn in the woods. The audiences were commonly very large, frequently numbering several thousands. As a rule, the meetings were under the direction of the presiding elder. The preaching was plain and pointed.

“There were several features which characterized those early camp-meetings. One was, great attention was given to prayer.

“The request was made from the stand that the members in attendance should be careful to observe their times of secret devotion, especially at morning and evening. Family prayer was faithfully attended to in the tents. Then an early morning hour was set apart for public prayers at the altar. During the intervals between the preaching services, prayer-meetings were constantly held. In those prayer-meetings, the whole membership, with the ministers, were accustomed to engage. I remember seeing in one of those prayer-meetings three men of much promise kneeling side by side, seeking a deeper work of grace. They were Governor Bassett, of Delaware, James Sterling, of New York, and Judge McLean, afterward one of the United States Supreme

Court Justices. This, I think, was about 1808, though I am not quite positive as to the year.

“Another feature of those camp-meetings was the effort that was made to bring mourners forward for prayers, and get them converted when forward. A great deal of powerful exhortation was directed to this end, and the results were glorious.

“A marked feature of those meetings was the singing. A multitude of voices would blend as one in holy song, rolling a volume of melodious sound through the surrounding solitudes, and causing the air to quiver as with pulsings of joy. The power and effect of those inspiring melodies resounding in the wilderness were indescribable.”