MISSIONARY WORK AT OUR CAMP-MEETINGS.
By S. N. Haskell
Our camp-meetings yearly increase in importance. During the first years of our experience in camp-meetings such locations were selected as were most easy of access for our brethren, the object in view being to benefit them without especial reference to the public generally. Experience soon taught us to do differently. At these meetings we should reach the mass of the people. It is now thought advisable to select our camp-grounds near large cities, at points that are central and easy of access, and to advertise largely, and bring together as many as possible to hear the solemn warning of the third angel’s message. Reporting for papers is an important matter, and one which should not be neglected, as it calls the attention of the reading public everywhere to us as a people and to our work. These large gatherings are not only becoming more numerous, but more largely attended by those not of our faith. This year there will be about twenty camp-meetings held by Seventh-day Adventists. These meetings are attended by from two thousand to twenty thousand people not of our faith. Estimating the average attendance at five thousand on Sundays at each of the twenty camp-meetings, the number of those attending during 1878 would be one hundred thousand. Of these many hear the truth for the first time upon whose minds a favorable impression will be made, but Satan will stand ready to catch away the good seed thus sown as soon as they go from the meeting. The question we propose here is, What are our missionary societies doing at these gatherings to fasten conviction upon these minds? Can there not be an especial effort made which will increase the efficiency of the preached word? We believe that this can and will be done. These are golden opportunities to do missionary work, which should not slip out of our hands. Our people take five thousand copies of the SIGNS in clubs, at a cost of three cents a number. Three successive numbers are remailed to one individual, to whom a letter is written. This raises the cost, including postage, to five cents per number, making an aggregate cost of $12,500 for the five thousand copies one year. The addresses of those to whom the papers are remailed are gathered from various sources, so that largely the writers are unacquainted with them. Upon a careful investigation we learn that not less than one family in ten of those who receive our papers becomes interested in present truth. This we believe to be a grand success; yes, we know it to be so, and we recommend this plan to our brethren everywhere. The expense of these twenty camp-meetings, not including the traveling expenses of our brethren, is less than $5,000. Here one hundred thousand people, by the providence of God, are brought under the sound of present truth. We are certain that our tract societies do not appreciate the missionary field which here presents itself. One hundred dollars would pay for one hundred and sixty thousand pages of tracts, or twenty thousand eight-page tracts. If our brethren would thus expend $100 they could furnish five thousand people with four different tracts on present truth at our several camp-meetings. If one-fourth part of the tracts were sixteen-page tracts, sixteen thousand could be purchased for $500. We unhesitatingly say that were this reading matter placed in the hands of those individuals at a time when their minds were solemnly impressed with the preached word, more than five times the good would be accomplished that would be if this reading matter was handed to the same individuals under other circumstances. We have not begun to realize the importance of this matter. Our object in writing this is (1) to awaken more of an interest in this branch of the work; and (2) to make some suggestions in reference to the manner in which this work should be done. Not only should tracts be distributed, but subscribers should be obtained for our periodicals. The first year of the camp-meeting at Groveland, Mass., it was estimated that twenty thousand people were present on Sunday. A daily report of the meetings appeared in the Boston Herald. An agent for that paper was upon the ground early and late, and obtained over one hundred regular subscribers for it. He was heard to make the following remark: “I wish your camp-meeting would hold another week, and I would be satisfied.” He stuck close to his business, was over every part of the ground, courteous, affable, constantly reading something that would interest his hearers, and in every45possible way was seeking out individuals who would subscribe for his paper. We can do the same for our periodicals, and we should do it. A number of the REVIEW will be gotten up especially adapted to this work, so that extra copies can be had for this purpose, if our brethren will wake up to this matter and take hold of it in earnest. The time has fully come when we should arouse from our state of lethargy in the cause of God and mean business. Tracts should not be distributed in a haphazard manner, but in the way which will count to the best advantage. They should be scattered like the leaves of autumn. We do not recommend a stand for general free distribution, where everybody is invited to come and take as many as they please; but there should be a book-stand where an assortment of pamphlets and bound books is kept for sale. Small tracts should be distributed freely to those who will read. Those of four, eight, twelve, and sixteen pages, containing pointed, well-written matter, should be placed in the hands of thousands of people at each camp-meeting. Persons should be selected to do this work and make it a specialty during the week of the meeting; but the most effectual time is in connection with the preached word, when the mind has become solemnly impressed with the truths heard. Some of our brethren should be selected to stand outside of the congregation, and watch the effect of the sermon; and as the congregation disperse, they should hand out tracts upon the subject presented. Frequently it will be noticed that some become especially interested. In such cases it may be well to give more than one tract. The mind should be given to it until the soul becomes inspired with the work. This should all be arranged beforehand. A sufficient number of brethren should be assigned positions, and should be ready as soon as the meeting is dismissed, so that none need be passed by without a tract. The minister should advertise at the close of his discourse that upon the right hand, or left, or in the rear, as the case may be, there are individuals who will give you a tract which further treats upon this subject. The book-stand, where bound books can be purchased, should also be advertised, mentioning the prices of some of the most important ones and the number of pages, etc. Also, at the proper time, at the close of a fitting discourse, advertise our periodicals, stating that agents are on the ground who will receive subscriptions. These persons thus employed should not controvert doctrinal points with any. They should be individuals of good deportment, agreeable in their manners, affable in their ways; so courteous and kind that the individual cannot help getting a good impression. Special efforts should be made by all our brethren to renew their subscriptions on our periodicals at the camp-meetings. Look at the posters on your papers, and see if your subscription is not nearly expired. If so, be sure to renew at this time. The secretary of the tract society should have a tent by himself, where he will not be molested by others’ coming in and disarranging his papers. He should have sample copies of the REVIEW, REFORMER, INSTRUCTOR, and SIGNS. He should make it his business to be at his tent at all hours between services. He should have a list of delinquents and those whose subscriptions will expire during the next three months. He should be prepared to answer any questions relating to the subscription of the paper, of any who may ask; in fact, everything pertaining to the interests of the subscription list, etc., etc. The camp-meeting should be a time when all our brethren who are not now receiving our periodicals should subscribe. The ministers should bring this matter up and urge its necessity. These practical points should not be neglected; they tell more towards building up a Conference than the most flowery discourses ever preached. If any prefer to hand their subscription money to the minister, this is all proper; but a special effort should be made by the tract society to see that our brethren have these periodicals at this time. Any of the librarians or brethren or sisters knowing of any who do not take the periodicals should co-operate in the matter. Another branch of the missionary work in connection with the camp-meetings is canvassing for our periodicals. Individuals should be selected to give their time and attention to this branch of the work. These agents should be constantly on the alert, seeking every favorable opportunity to recommend our periodicals to others. Hundreds of new subscribers should be obtained in this manner at each of our camp-meetings. We do not recommend that the same canvassing agent take more than one of our periodicals. If it be the REFORMER, let it be his business to obtain subscribers for it; and so with the REVIEW, the SIGNS, and the INSTRUCTOR. There should be two or more, a brother and a sister, for each periodical. The secretary at his tent should be prepared to take subscriptions on each of the periodicals, but the canvasser should have but one, and make a business of that. He should study to make it a success. He should not be boisterous; but he should quietly, courteously, and persistently engage in it. Men and women should be trained for this kind of work; they should make it a study as much as a printer or an editor does his business. They should be men of good address, who will not in any way repel others or be repulsed. If replied to in an uncourteous manner, they should never reply in the same spirit; but in a gentlemanly manner pass on to the next, with as much confidence as though success had crowned every effort. Agents for the INSTRUCTOR should generally be young people of both sexes. There should be a sufficient quantity of premiums for these periodicals on the camp-ground,—Manuals to be used with the REFORMER; Way of Life, with the REVIEW and the SIGNS OF THE TIMES; and the Poems, with the YOUTH’S INSTRUCTOR. Here is a field of missionary labor in which much can be accomplished. Our brethren and sisters generally can do a great deal in this branch of the work. Look up strangers and invite them to your tent, become familiar with them, not to crowd the truth upon them until they become disgusted, but to converse with them; get them to subscribe for our periodicals, and win them to the truth. We should be “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves,” remembering that he who winneth souls is wise. It is expected that there will be sixteen more camp-meetings this present season, and there should be not less than two thousand subscribers secured at these meetings for our periodicals, including brethren who are not now taking them. Our brethren should be instructed at the first of the meeting how to take hold of the missionary work. Plans should be laid so that this business will not interfere with the religious interest of the meetings, but rather increase it. When this matter is properly understood, and conducted systematically and thoroughly, much will be accomplished. We appeal to our brethren and sisters in the fear of the Lord: (1) Attend the camp-meetings; come prepared to seek God practically, and learn how to benefit others as never before. (2) Come, not with a spirit to please yourselves, but to labor to forward present truth and to fill any position thought advisable by the leading brethren. We do not advise our brethren to spend one or two days in organizing and arranging, but those having charge of these things should be prepared—1. To talk these principles out distinctly and clearly; 2. To state definitely what should be done, and how the canvassers should proceed; 3. To have them appointed; 4. The one who has special charge of this work should ever be prepared to give instruction that will help at any time during the meetings. It is important that the secretary have a tent by himself at the commencement of the meeting. He should have a list of the subscribers for the REVIEW, REFORMER, and INSTRUCTOR, also of the TIDENDE and HAROLD if these are taken in the Conference. These lists should be pasted in a blank book, and kept in his own possession. He should also have sample numbers of each of the periodicals, and samples of each of the premiums. In obtaining new subscribers for the REVIEW, SIGNS, and INSTRUCTOR on these special occasions, when taken without premiums, we make the following proposition: The REVIEW and the SIGNS four months on trial for fifty cents, each, and the INSTRUCTOR one year, thirty cents. This offer is made to get the truth before those not acquainted with our views. Not one-twentieth of what we should do is being done to get the truth before others. Now is the time to work, for soon the night cometh wherein no man can work. There is no time to lose. Officers of the tract societies, and those having responsibility in these things, we appeal to you. Now is the time to lay your plans, especially in those Conferences where the camp-meetings are soon to be held. Send in your orders for extra copies of REVIEWS, INSTRUCTORS, and REFORMERS, also premiums if you do not have them on hand, to be used at this time. Give the matter immediate thought, and be prepared to move forward at an early stage of the camp-meeting, and thus take hold of the work in earnest. We expect to see a move at the camp-meetings this season in advance of any in the past. Be sure and send for sample copies of REVIEW, INSTRUCTOR, and REFORMERS in season. S. N. HASKELL, Pres. Gen. T. and M. S.