TENT OPERATIONS by James White

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 1, 1856

TENT OPERATIONS.

By James White

It is time to begin to lay plans for Tent operations the coming Summer. We think that we have learned some things of importance in regard to the Tent enterprise from what we have observed the two past seasons.

We think it is of but little use to labor with the Tent in those places where the people have generally heard and have rejected the Message, and have not ears to hear. True, a vast amount of prejudice may be removed by Tent-meetings in such places. And so we might labor removing prejudice till Jesus comes, and leave those who have ears to hear, and hearts that can feel the power of Divine Truth to perish. "He that hath an ear let him hear," seems to be not only a motto for this time, but an injunction to all who may help in this work. In a scriptural manner we should attend to our work. What have we to do with prejudice excited by wicked men and Devils in the hearts of those who have rejected the warning voice of truth? We will leave that for those to care for who make error their choice, while we will attend to our mission,—"Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel [‘constrain by intreaty’] them to come in." Luke xiv, 23. And in what way can we more effectually perform this mission to the letter, than to go forth with our portable meeting houses into new fields where the people have not turned away their ears from hearing the truth, and have not hardened their hearts against it.

But we are not unacquainted with many of the difficulties of laboring with Tents in new fields. The people, even those who may become interested in Bible truth, are not prepared to pay the expenses of Tent-meetings, and those who go with the Tents are generally dependent on others for support; therefore Tent-meetings have been held with few exceptions, in those places where there were brethren who would request a meeting in their place, and promise to pay expenses. We do not say that Tents should never go where the Message has been presented. No, the people may have been aroused by the presentation of truth during the Winter, and the way prepared for an effectual effort in such places with the Tent. But to go to those places where the people have been aroused, and have lost their interest, and attempt to re-arouse them by a Tent-meeting, seems worse than time, labor and means thrown away.

Then what can be done? There can be but one answer to this question. The church can come up unitedly, and with means which they profess to have laid on the Lord's altar send the Tents into new fields. Will the friends of truth do it? Now is the time to speak and to act on this subject.

Bro. J. Hart of Round Grove, Ill., writes, April 8th:—

"I am willing to put into the Tent operation $100 if others will do enough to man out a Tent. I will give it in any way the church think best, in money, or part money and part labor."

In a letter dated April 22d, he states:—"I think there could be $250, raised in this Church."

We think that believers in the Third Message in Illinois and Wisconsin will be ready to co-operate with the Brn. at Round Grove in the work of proclaiming the Message in the West. Please address Josiah Hart, Round Grove, Whiteside Co., Ills., on the subject.

We think there should be no more Tents in the field than can be well manned, and sustained on new ground. There are five now owned by Sabbath-keepers. It is our opinion that but one Tent can be used to advantage in New England, considering the lack of preachers, and the prospect of affecting good there, compared with the prospect in the West. If so, we presume our brethren in New England would be ready to send one of their Tents West. We make this suggestion to call the attention of the brethren to the subject in season. J. W.