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Our Camp-Meetings

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Jul 11, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 28.

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Our Camp-Meetings

By W. H. Branson

W. H. BRANSON
THE time for the annual camp-meeting is at hand, and many are now deciding whether they will attend. Some are reasoning that they can not afford it this year, as with them times are hard and the meeting is a little too far away; and after all they will not be missed very much at the meeting. Some feel that it would be better to save the money it would take to attend the meeting, and use it to help in the advancement of the work. But in the following instruction from the servant of the Lord, we find an answer to all our objections, and see that God does not accept any of our excuses for not being present at these annual gatherings:—
“It is important that the members of our churches should attend our camp-meetings. The enemies of truth are many; and because our numbers are few, we should present as strong a front as possible. Individually you need the benefits of the meeting, and God calls upon you to number one in the ranks of truth.
“Some will say, ‘It is expensive to travel, and it would be better for us to save the money, and give it for the advancement of the work where it is so much needed.’ Do not reason in this way; God calls upon you to take your place among the rank and file of his people. Strengthen the meeting all you possibly can by being present with your families. Put forth extra exertion to attend the gathering of God’s people.
“Brethren and sisters, it would be far better for you to let your business suffer rather than to neglect the opportunity of hearing the message God has for you. Make no excuse that will keep you from gaining every spiritual advantage possible. You need every ray of light. You need to become qualified to give a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. You can not afford to lose one such privilege.
“Anciently the Lord instructed his people to assemble three times a year for his worship. To these holy convocations the children of Israel came, bringing to the house of God their tithes, their sin-offerings, and their offerings of gratitude. They met to recount God’s mercies, to make known his wonderful works, and to offer praise and thanksgiving to his name. . . . The Lord saw that these gatherings were necessary for the spiritual life of his people. They needed to turn away from their worldly cares, to commune with God, and to contemplate unseen realities.
“If the children of Israel needed the benefit of these holy convocations in their time, how much more do we need them in these last days of peril and conflict! And if the people of the world then needed the light which God had committed to his church, how much more do they need it now!
“This is a time for every one to come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty. The forces of the enemy are strengthening, and as a people we are misrepresented. . . . Let the army of the Lord be on the ground to represent the work and cause of God. Do not plead an excuse. The Lord has need of you. He does not do his work without the cooperation of the human agent. Go to the camp-meeting, even though you have to make a sacrifice to do so. Go with a will to work. And make every effort to induce your friends to go, not in your place, but to go with you, to stand on the Lord’s side, and obey his commandments. Help those who are interested to attend, if necessary providing them with food and lodging. Angels who are commissioned to minister to those who are heirs of salvation, will accompany you. God will do great things for his people. He will bless every effort to honor his cause and advance his work.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, pages 38-40.
Surely God has left us no excuse. Let us then decide the question at once, and get ready to go.
Spartansburg, S. C.