Missionary Work at Camp-Meetings.
By S. N. Haskell
THERE is no enterprise connected with the cause of present truth which presents a larger and more important field for missionary effort than our camp-meetings. We have eighteen conferences, which will hold over twenty-five camp-meetings the present season. These meetings will bring together upon the Sunday an average attendance of not less than two thousand people at each meeting. The large gathering in New England comprises from 15,000 to 20,000. This will give a total attendance of not less than 50,000 people, many of whom will hear the truth for the first time. Experience has taught us that it is best to hold these annual gatherings near large places, where as large an attendance as possible can be secured from those not of our faith. Our camp-meetings have become noted for their order and for being free from wild excitement which has so frequently disgraced meetings of this kind of other bodies of people. Upon each camp-ground there should be a book-stand where an assortment of our publications can be had at the regular prices. This stand should be located near the public thoroughfare. Also the Secretary of the Tract and Missionary Society should have a tent where all business of the missionary work can be transacted without interference. This should embrace all renewal of subscriptions for our periodicals, new subscribers, furnishing premiums to the canvassers and have also a supply of each of our periodicals as sample copies, to be used by the canvassers in obtaining subscribers. THE DISTRIBUTING OF TRACTS.
There is no more favorable time to give an individual a tract then when the mind is favorably impressed by the preaching of the truth. It is well to have individuals of both sexes engaged in this. They should quietly take their position in or around the congregation, and at the close of the discourse be ready to hand to the persons as they leave, a tract or two on the subject presented. The tracts should be of the smallest size. Usually an 8-page tract is better than 16 pages or larger, as individuals can read it while their minds are under the influence of what they have heard. The minister at the close of the sermon can call attention to their position, and mention that they will hand to those interested a tract on the subject presented. He should also state that at the book-stand publications can be obtained which treat upon the various subjects of our faith. Persons should be selected to do this who are agreeable in their manner and will give none offense. CANVASSING FOR OUR PERIODICALS
At the camp-meeting, is a means by which very much can be accomplished if taken hold of systematically and carried forward in a proper manner. The friends of the cause should be called together previously and the whole matter laid before them, so they may work in harmony with each other and in the most effectual manner. It has been found best to have brethren and sisters canvass for each of our periodicals. It is proper for each canvasser to take a subscription for either of our periodicals; yet he who canvasses will be more successful to make a specialty of but one. Children and youth will do best for the Instructor. At three of our camp-meetings last year children who could not write their own names obtained a goodly number of subscribers for the Youth's Instructor. The fact that there are canvassers on the ground should be mentioned from the preachers' stand, and the friends present should be recommended to subscribe. This will give confidence to the people and canvassers. These canvassers can be appointed by some proper person who is acquainted with the brethren and sisters; also volunteers should be called for. Those who are not appointed to act in a special sense as committees should not think that they have nothing to do in the matter; let all do what they can. It is expected that during the intermission those who are appointed will give their time to it. Be constantly on the alert; kind, courteous, courageous, never getting offended, but if answered roughly go to the next person with as much courage as though every one subscribed. PRICES OF OUR PERIODICALS.
The Associations make a special offer for our camp-meetings, to those who take hold of the work. The Review, and SIGNS to those wishing to subscribe for four months on trial, without a premium, 50 cts. One year without a premium for the Review or SIGNS, $1.50; with the premium Way of Life $2.00. The Good Health, without the premium, one year, 60 cts.; with the premium, The Household Manual, $1.00. The monthly Instructor, with the premium, 50 cts.; 25 cts. The weekly Instructor with the premium, Child's Poems, or one volume of Sunshine Series, 75 cts.; without the premium, 50 cts. The College Record, published quarterly, 10 cts. a year; no discount or any premium. If there are Scandinavians, then the Tidende and Harold should be used, with the premium, Way of Life. The price of either one would be $1.00, the regular price. Without the premium, 60 cts. for one year. These are especial prices, offered only to new subscribers obtained at the time of the camp-meetings. There should be not less than 1,000 subscribers obtained at our camp-meetings during the present season for each of our periodicals. This will be accomplished if, at each meeting, our brethren and sisters do in proportion as well as Iowa, Indiana, and Nebraska did last year. We have no time to lose. Each president or secretary should begin to plan, send for sample copies of each of our periodicals, Way of Life, Household Manual, and Child's Poems, or any other premium which may be used for the Instructor. We hope to see great results from this kind of labor this present season. The Saviour took his disciples from place to place and instructed them in the truths pertaining to the kingdom of God. Others listened to these teachings. It was the seed that thus sown which yielded fruit at the pentecost. We should ever keep in mind the object of our camp-meetings, which is two-fold: first, to seek God ourselves so that we may obtain a greater nearness to him, and bring our families and friends where they too can receive the instruction given. Second, to do all in our power to enlighten the masses who may attend. As a Christian people we should seek every opportunity to fasten conviction on the minds of those who may become interested. The true Christian principle is manifested in letting our light shine that others may be benefited thereby. Walla Walla Camp-Meeting.
THE camp-meeting appointed for the eastern part of the N. P. Conference to be held near Walla Walla, beginning the 4th day of June, is an important one. It is the first S. D. Adventist meeting of the kind ever held in this part of the field. All people east of the Cascade mountains should feel an interest in it and use their influence to make it a success. Let every one make an effort to attend the meeting. Come with a heart prepared to help bear its burdens and share its joys. Circulate the appointment of this meeting as far as possible. Tell your neighbors and friends of it and ask them to come. Bring your children to the meeting that they may be brought under the good influence of the truth and the Spirit of God. Come praying that the blessing of the Lord may be in the camp. Prepare to stay through the meeting; for many times the very last meeting is the best. Let every one prepare tents to camp on the ground. There will be a few to rent, though probably not enough to supply the demand. There will be a store and provision stand on the ground that all may get a supply of eatables at reasonable rates during the meeting. Good straw will be provided for bedding, and feed, both hay and grain, as far as possible, for teams. We try to make it a place where all can feel at home. The third annual session of the Conference will be held in connection with this meeting. Let every company and church of Sabbath keepers represent themselves either by delegate or by letter. Each church or company should furnish the Conference, through their delegate or by letter, with the number of members in the church, whether you have adopted the tithing system, the number of T. and M. members, and who is the librarian, whether you have a Sabbath-school, how many teachers, and how many scholars. Express as far as you can the wants of the church and cause in your vicinity. By giving full reports we shall have the condition of the conference fully set before us. We hope new zeal and energy will be manifested in every branch of the work from this time forward. Show your interest in the work, by helping to bear its burdens. We hope for much encouragement from our camp-meeting. We expect aid will be sent us by the General Conference. We must all be prepared to stand by the man who is sent, heed his counsel, and thus be better prepared to work in the cause.