TENT MEETINGS by James White

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 2, 1857

TENT MEETINGS.

By James White

If Tent-meetings are held for the benefit of the church, then a two-day's meeting in a place may be sufficient. But if a Tent be pitched in a new field, to set the truth before the people, for them to decide for, or against it, should it not remain until those who come out to hear do decide in favor of or against the views presented? We think it should.

To visit a new place with a Tent, and remain only one week, long enough to get the ears of the people, then leave them, to be turned to fables by the ministers of the day, is labor lost. In fact, it is worse than labor lost. It is doing that community injustice. It is not giving them a fair chance to learn the truth, and decide. It arouses them to take a brief look at some parts of the present truth, and exposes them to be prejudiced against it by false teachers, and left in a state of mind not to be moved by the truth again.

We give it as our opinion that no new field should be entered with a Tent, especially in the West, unless the circumstances seem to warrant from three to five weeks' labor in one place. Are not our western cities, county seats, and large villages, the places to pitch Tents? Then tarry till the sound goes out all through the surrounding country, and curiosity, or something better, calls the people to the Tent to hear. Then induce the people to buy, or, if they have not money, receive without pay, our publications. Tent companies should make up their minds to find a market for two hundred dollars' worth of books at such a meeting. Don't be afraid to dispose of books, brethren. When the Steam Press gets in motion, we will supply the market without fail, we think. God help all in the great work of giving light to the world.

J. W.