p. 6 | Camp Meeting Blessings by Elva G. Wilcox

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 11, 1914

Camp Meeting Blessings

By Elva G. Wilcox

ELVA G. WILCOX

How can we secure the expected blessings from camp meeting? If unavoidably kept away, how can we "appear before the Lord" in the annual gathering, to receive the rich blessings promised? I believe the camp meetings and all other important gatherings of our workers and people may be shared by all, even if it should chance to be impossible for some to attend; and having experimentally proved the Lord and received his blessing during conference gatherings and week of prayer and camp meeting seasons, I pass on the following suggestions: —

First, realize the importance of the occasion, or if you do not, seek God for a sense of its importance to you and others.

Second, as soon as the meeting is announced, begin praying for the Lord's blessing to rest upon those who plan to attend, and for his Spirit to impress the hearts of others who ought to attend; pray also for those who cannot go, that they may be blessed in their duties elsewhere. Make this prayer as often as the subject comes to your mind, meanwhile praying that your own heart may be blessed, and the way opened for you to go if it please God. Plan in harmony with your prayer.

Third, seek God earnestly for revelation of cherished sins and cleansing from them. Study the Word and claim the promises.

Fourth, if the Lord answers your prayer by enabling you to attend the meeting, do all in your power to co-operate with the management. Attend as many meetings as possible, and if detained, let the time be devoted to prayer for the meeting. Seek earnestly to find some one in need of spiritual assistance, pray for him, and if the way is plain, pray and talk with him. Especially do not neglect the "three times a day" secret devotions, and do not think the regular morning seasons of worship take the place of your individual morning prayer alone. Strive to encourage a spirit of quietness and reverence in the youth and children, by example and precept, and by seeking opportunities to interest them, especially those left by their parents or friends to find their own enjoyment.

Fifth, make a special effort to notice and speak to strangers. Read Ruth 2:13, margin, and speak to their hearts.

Sixth, seek most earnestly that God will make you a channel of blessing to all you meet, and that you may be brought into association with the very ones whom he sees you can bless and who will be the greatest blessing to you. Day by day inquire, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" and open your heart and eyes and ears to his answer.

Seventh, if hindered from attending the meeting, spend a portion of each day in especially seeking God's blessing upon the leaders and upon all in attendance, that there may be heart searching, cleansing from sin, and the infilling of the Spirit. If unable to hear the message at that meeting, spend some time each day or evening reading some good instruction from the Lord in Bible, Testimonies, Conference Bulletin, or our good papers, so as to enter into the spirit of the occasion. Believe that the Lord's good promises are just as much for those who are compelled to stay at home as for those who can attend; claim them, and rejoice in them.

If all will follow these suggestions, a shout of victory will ascend from our people, and they will be blessed in their work everywhere.

Guthrie Center, Iowa.