p. 85 | KANSAS CAMP-MEETINGS by J. N. Ayers

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 5, 1878

KANSAS CAMP-MEETINGS.

By J. N. Ayers

After consulting with the Conference Committee, we have decided to hold three camp-meetings this fall. Our Conference is so large we cannot accommodate all our people with one or two meetings without compelling some to travel from two to three hundred miles with teams. We have therefore appointed three camp-meetings, one in the north-western, one in the central, and one in the south-eastern part of the State, so that all can attend. We desire to see a general rally at each of these meetings. Begin now to get ready to attend. Bring your children, your unconverted friends, and your neighbors.

We all need more of the blessing of God. We in Kansas are not keeping pace with the message. We are asleep, and if we do not wake up to the wants of the cause, we shall be left. God has blessed us with plentiful crops this season, and we are in danger of forgetting his claims upon us while we are busy taking care of the gifts he has bestowed. I am fearful that these things will prove a curse instead of a blessing to some, unless they shake off the stupor that appears to be holding them down to this sin-cursed earth. Dear brethren, this life is but a dream, and full of troubles. This world is not our abiding-place. Oh! look beyond this life. Jesus has promised us eternal life. Look beyond this sinful world to the city of God. We must have eternal life; we cannot afford to lose it. Let us lay aside all our worldly cares, and come up to these meetings, where God's Spirit will meet with us and bless us.

The central meeting will be a general T. and M. meeting for the whole State. We expect to see at this meeting all the ministers, T. and M. officers and workers of the State, as plans for our fall and winter campaign will be discussed. We expect to make an advance along the whole line this fall. Bro. Haskell is expected to be with us to hold a Biblical and T. and M. Institute. This is just what we all need. Let none fail to come. Come at the commencement and stay till the close. The State secretary will be at this meeting with a supply of books for all, and to receive subscriptions on periodicals. We shall want a report from every district at this time, showing just what has been done the past quarter. If anything should happen that the director of any district cannot come, let him see that his report is sent by mail, to the secretary, in time. Directors and librarians are expected to bring their books with them, and those that have not the new books should come prepared to get them, as the secretary will have a supply.

Let all that can, bring tents, and plenty of bedding and good warm clothing, as the nights will be cool. We expect to see more Sabbath-keepers at this meeting than have ever attended any one meeting in Kansas, and we look to the General Conference for proper help, and hope they will not pass us by in this our time of need.

Again let me say to one and all, Come to these meetings; let nothing but sickness keep you away. You that take the REVIEW see that all those who do not take it are visited and urged to come; and you that have teams see that there is a way provided for those to come that have no teams. Leave none behind that will come. Come praying, come with the spirit of Christ, come to work; and if all will do their duty we shall see scores of souls converted to God at each of these meetings. Time is short. What we do must be done quickly. Who will falter? J. N. AYERS.