North Pacific Camp-Meeting.
By T. H. Starbuck
THE time for this meeting is near. All should begin at once to make preparation to attend. Come at the commencement and remain to the close, for it will be a meeting of great importance. It may be a long time before we shall have another annual meeting so full of interest to our Conference as this will be. If there has ever been a time when we should manifest zeal for the cause of truth, it is now. The cause is advancing and receiving a new impetus in other fields. Shall we fall behind, or shall we move forward with God's people to certain victory? Every Sabbath-keeper west of the Cascade Mountains should make a special effort to attend, and receive the benefits of the meeting. We have much to do for ourselves and others before we shall be ready to meet our Saviour and hear him say, "Come, ye blessed of my Father." The day of the Lord is near and hasteth greatly, and our time to work is short. Those only will be ready who seek earnestly to do their Master's will. This year our camp-meeting will continue over two Sabbaths, thus affording more time than usual to seek God, to receive instruction, and to lay plans for the future. There will be delegates present from other Conferences, and we shall be favored with more ministerial help than ever before. And best of all, the Lord has promised to meet with us if we go prepared to receive his blessing. Our camp-meeting can be made a source of strength and comfort to all our people in this part of the great harvest-field. Such opportunities for instruction and encouragement are rare, and we cannot afford to lose them. Some will be tempted to remain away because of home cares; but if we remember the Saviour's words, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness," we will not yield to the temptation. It may be money in our pockets to remain at home, but it will not be treasure laid up in Heaven. Earthly riches cannot purchase for us the favor of God and the unfading glories of the eternal shore. If we desire a closer connection with God and a home in his kingdom, we will make some sacrifice to be at the camp-meeting; but if eternal things are less desirable than the things of earth, we shall probably be found where our treasure is. Come, then, and bring with you as many of your friends as you can induce to attend. The success of our camp-meeting depends largely upon the attendance, and willingness to work together in harmony. We should not forget that it is the salvation of souls for whom Christ died that such meetings are held. We can go to the camp-meeting with hearts full of gratitude to God for the privilege; we can work for a good attendance; we can pray for the blessing of God to attend, and we can set our own hearts in order before going upon the encampment. If we do these things, God will come very near to us, and we shall see of his salvation. There will be much to do to make the meeting a complete success. We need much done for us to fit us for the many mansions. Shall we not then go with a spirit to help and to be helped? Salem, Oregon, May 9, 1884.