The Massachusetts Camp-Meeting by Fannie D. Chase

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 18, 1912

The Massachusetts Camp-Meeting

By Fannie D. Chase

THE Massachusetts camp-meeting was held June 13-23, at Taunton, a city in the southern part of the State, about seventeen miles from the historic town of Plymouth. It is also about the same distance from New Bedford and Fair Haven, where Elder Joseph Bates lived and worked so courageously for the early propagation of this message. It was here, too, that Miss Harmon, now Mrs. E. G. White, in 1846 in company with others, crossed from Fair Haven to West Island in a sailboat. During the passage a terrific storm arose, and it seemed that all must be lost, but as they sought God, it was revealed to Miss Harmon in vision that sooner would every drop of water in the ocean be dried up than they perish, for her work had just begun.

There were one hundred tents on the Taunton ground, and the attendance, both of our own people and of the neighboring community, was very satisfactory. The weather was unusually pleasant, there being only one slight rain, and no excessive heat. The camp was pitched in the fair-ground, about ten minutes' walk from the railway station and from the center of the city. The grounds were grassy, and provided with a few acceptable shade-trees; and pleasant groves were easily accessible to the campers.

The camp was well organized, everything appearing to be in readiness from the first. There was no waiting for an interest to be awakened in the spiritual services. It seemed to be assumed that the camp-meeting was but a binding off, or continuation, of previous evangelistic work.

The first Sunday afternoon there were sixteen baptized. On the next Sunday, the last day of the meeting, twenty-five were baptized. A number of children participated in this service.

The children's meetings were in charge of Mrs. Lee Wheeler, who was assisted by Miss Cora Spencer and the writer. One little girl told her mother that every meeting made her feel that she wanted to be a better girl. The children's interest in the temperance question was aroused to the extent that several enlisted as Temperance Volunteers, and immediately began to sell the Temperance Instructor.

The young people's meetings were in charge of Mrs. M. M. Hare. Much earnest counsel was given to the young people by the various speakers invited to lead out in the services, and in general there was an earnest response to this counsel. A spirit of faithful service and consecration characterized the majority of those in attendance. Young people who live this truth are of inestimable value in the program of the message.

The General Conference men in attendance at the meeting were Elders A. G. Daniells, F. C. Gilbert, and A. J. Haysmer. Elder Daniells came at the early part of the meeting, but gave only one discourse, as very soon after his arrival, he was called by telegram to Washington. Elder Haskell conducted two of the early morning services, and spoke on Sunday forenoon. Elder W. B. White was present, and at one service made a strong plea for gifts for foreign missions. Nearly seven hundred dollars was pledged in response to this appeal, and about two hundred dollars came in later as the result of other appeals.

The Sabbath-school offering to missions on the first Sabbath was unusually generous, more than one hundred dollars being given.

On the last Friday, through circumstances our brethren could not control, a Wild West show took possession of a part of the grounds. Our people felt quite concerned over the situation, fearing that a rough crowd might trespass on the grounds, and that perhaps some of our youth might be attracted to the show. But fortunately no inconvenience nor harm seemed to result from that which might have been a real menace had not the camp been fortified and protected by prayer and wise counsel. Notwithstanding serious fears, the Friday evening service proved to be one of the quietest held; for the noisy crowd that had been frequenting the grounds were attracted to the show. Even the children of the camp manifested praiseworthy self-control, and many prayed that some of the showmen might be attracted to our meetings and be converted.

Altogether, the camp-meeting was a profitable one, and many expressed themselves as having gained great victories in the spiritual life.

Those bearing the responsibility of the administrative and evangelistic work in the Massachusetts Conference are largely young men, men who claim the South Lancaster Academy as their alma mater, and who have recognized the fact that it is wise to bear the yoke of the Lord in youth. We believe the Lord is blessing their labors, and that this conference will not come behind in any good work.

FANNIE D. CHASE.