The New Zealand Camp-Meeting
By J. Pallant
THE New Zealand camp-meeting was held at Grey Lynn, Auckland, from Jan. 19 to Feb. 11, 1912. The camp was situated in a natural amphitheater, and was said to be in sight of ten thousand houses. It was on a slope, the land running down into a ravine on three sides. Part of the surrounding land was a park. The situation was a very quiet and pleasant one. The meeting opened on Tuesday evening, January 29, with a service of thanksgiving for the blessings of the year just closed. The next three days were given to the conference business proceedings, which passed off very harmoniously. The first public meeting was held on Friday night, when the subject was "The Inspiration of the Word of God." This service was largely attended by the public, and the interest continued until the close of the camp-meeting. On both Sundays the attendance was large, and at both the afternoon and evening services the tent was crowded, and as many were sitting and standing outside. These large congregations listened with rapt attention to the subjects presented, and although some of the sermons were long, on account of the matter to be presented, scarcely one left the tent at any time until the meeting closed. After leaving the meeting-tent, a number repaired to the book-tent, and provided themselves with literature, that they might further study the questions presented. There were fifty-nine living-tents, all well filled, and some of them filled twice, as a part of some families came for the first half, and part for the second half of the meeting. In all, there were 251 in attendance, 204 on the ground, and the remainder in rooms near, the supply of tents having been exhausted before all could be accommodated. The dining-tent was remarkably well equipped, all who took their meals there, or bought food from the kitchen, being well satisfied. It looked more like a café than a camp-meeting dining-tent. Consequently it did a good business, as also did the health-food tent, which stood beside the dining-tent. Each day, after dinner, all the campers who could get away, and these were the large majority, went out in the neighborhood, distributing literature and inviting people to the meetings. The city and suburbs had been previously carefully districted; and bands of workers, each having a leader, were assigned to different localities, so that the entire district was well worked, which doubtless helped to increase the attendance. The sales of literature at the book-tent were good, the cash taken being about $365, besides orders to be paid later. The people provided themselves with reading-matter to take back to their homes for future work. Some did their first personal work at the camp, but as they testified to the blessings received, it is probable it will not be their last. Meetings were held each day for Bible study, and for instruction in methods of work. Meetings were held for the children each morning, and for the youth each afternoon. Their tent was very prettily decorated, and was adorned with some effective mottoes, which it is hoped may influence the lives of those who read them day by day. The two Sabbaths were good days. The first service was led by Pastor J. E. Fulton, and the last by Pastor J. M. Cole. The leading thought through both was that the goodness of the Lord leads us to repentance. As the matchless love13of God was dwelt upon, hearts were touched; and when a call was made for those who had wandered from the Lord to return, and for those who had never acknowledged his claims to take their stand, many responded. A number of youth and children took their stand definitely for the Lord for the first time, and others expressed their repentance for having followed afar off, or for having drifted almost away. At the close of the second meeting, nearly the entire congregation rose to express their desire to reconsecrate their lives to the Lord. At the early morning meeting on the last Sunday, an opportunity was given to all to express their thanksgiving to the Lord in a tangible manner, in offerings for the extension of the work in the home field, and in a short time over $2,500 was pledged. At times the amounts were called so quickly that a halt had to be made in order to get all the names, and the happy faces of all showed that they were tasting of the blessedness of giving. At 11 A. M. on the second Sunday, a baptismal service was held in the Ponsonby church, when ten brethren and thirteen sisters were baptized by Pastor Cole. The Monday morning praise service closed a camp-meeting which all who attended said was the best they had ever known. We trust that the blessings received will be given forth in work for the unsaved during the year which will elapse before we shall again gather for such a meeting.