THE SEVENTH-DAY BAPTIST TENT.
Most of our readers may be aware that the Seventh-day Baptists have a tent in the field this summer, in behalf of Sabbath reform. Eld. L. C. Rogers is conducting the enterprise, and is now holding a tent-meeting in Oxford, N. Y. Wishing him all success in his work, we know our readers will be interested in the following report of his meeting, which we copy from the Sabbath Recorder of July 10, 1879:— Oxford, N. Y., June 30, 1879.—The interest and attendance at our tent-meetings here have not decreased the past week, as we feared, but have rather increased. At our last week's writing, we thought the crisis had been reached, and were looking for a decline in attendance. We have been happily disappointed. Last evening was our largest audience—tent full to overflowing. It was a grand occasion. I have felt it to be a great privilege to preach Sabbath truth to such attentive audiences as we have had from the first. I believe the truth is winning its way with some. We shall remain here for a week or two yet, and try to clinch the nails. I have full faith in this method of labor. We could have gotten no such hearing as we have had, if we had not had our tent. It is the duty of our people to herald this neglected Sabbath truth, whether anybody receives it or not, and the tent method offers good opportunities. If any among us are weak in the faith as to tent methods, let them come and visit our tent; there is nothing in our tent work that the most conservative Sabbath-keeper need be ashamed of. There is no apparent prejudice against this method of labor, even in this conservative and aristocratic village. The pastors do not come in at all, but the intelligence of this community is fairly represented—some of the “first families” attend. But what a sorrowful sight it is to see large and attentive audiences made truly solemn under the power of God’s Spirit and truth, evening after evening, till impressed with a sense of duty to obey, their moral sense improved, their spiritual pulses quickened, and yet having not enough moral stamina, not enough of the power of true religion, to swing clear of doubts and fears and prejudices; some trifling excuse sufficing to turn many of them back to the old and popular ways of error. Oh, how dreadfully dark the times are! And what a powerful test of character is God’s Sabbath truth. There is nothing like it in the whole round of doctrines and duties in this respect. It tests Sabbatarians as well. Sabbath reform in general, and tent work in particular has, I am sorry to learn, been held up to the reprobation of our people, somewhat recently, by some of our respected ministers. This is a grief to many, all along our denominational lines. I wish each of our Associations would put into the field and support one tent at least, in addition to present methods of labor. Those of God’s people who have the light of Sabbath truth must let their light shine; must become light-bearers; must not hide it under the “bed” of sloth, nor under the “bushel” of worldliness. This is an age of reform, of reconstruction. Sabbath reform is beginning to assume the character of world-wide interest, and our people should see their opportunity. We recall the words of Mordecai to Esther: “If thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed; and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this.” For myself, I desire a fresh and fuller baptism of the Holy Spirit for this work. Would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his Spirit upon them.