p. 14 | Our Camp Meetings by D. H. Kress, M. D.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 23, 1914

Our Camp Meetings

By D. H. Kress, M. D.

D. H. KRESS, M. D.

IN their encampment while in the wilderness the children of Israel were instructed to keep everything pertaining to the camp orderly and scrupulously clean. Principles pertaining to their physical and spiritual well-being were urged upon them. Through their cheerful obedience to these, God purposed to make them the cleanest, healthiest, and morally the best people in the world. Through the favorable impressions they would make upon the nations about them, prejudice was to be removed, and the way prepared for the impartation of soul-saving truths. Moses said: "Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me. . . . Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people."

Not merely was the camp to be kept orderly and clean, but personal neatness and cleanliness were demanded of all who appeared before God. Before the people could approach God, the instruction was given to Moses, "Go unto the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes."

Through the pillar which led them by day and by night they were led to pitch the camp in the most healthful locations. The sanitary arrangements were to be kept perfect. Garbage and other refuse were not permitted to accumulate within the inclosure. The water supply was above suspicion. Their food and drink were simple and wholesome. All this was necessary to keep them in health, and was educational.

In these wise regulations we have before us an object lesson of what God desires every encampment of his people to be for all time. Sickness should seldom be seen at our camp meetings, and it would seldom be seen if this instruction was closely followed.

The following suggestions, if adhered to, will materially lessen sickness at these gatherings:—

In the first place, the camp should not be located in a marshy place where mosquitoes are likely to be numerous. Some very serious diseases are known to be conveyed by mosquitoes. It should not be located near barn yards or manure heaps, where flies are bred. Many diseases are conveyed through the medium of the fly. Flies should be shut out of the kitchen and the dining tent. This may be done with netting. All garbage cans should be kept covered with a fine wire screen to prevent flies from entering to breed.

Toilets naturally attract flies. They should be some distance from the camp, and located on the opposite side of the camp from the dining tent and the kitchen. By ascertaining the direction of the prevailing winds, they can be located on the side opposite that from which the wind comes. The toilet should receive special attention. Flies may be practically excluded from it by having no cracks in the seats, the bottom boards banked with earth, and each seat covered with a hinged door. As a matter of modesty and respect for the aged, ministers, and visitors, there should be privacy by having separate compartments.

The water supply for the camp should be above suspicion. If it is not, the people should be informed of it, and instructed to boil all water used for drinking purposes.

The foods best adapted for camp meeting purposes are those that keep well in warm weather, such as shredded wheat biscuits, toasted wheat biscuits, puffed wheat, puffed rice, corn flakes, granose biscuits, crackers, and zwieback. By heating or by exposing to the hot sun, these may be made crisp, and then served with cream or milk. These foods, with nuts and fresh fruits of various kinds, should form the staple supplies. Other simple foods will be thought of by various ones, such as sandwiches.

The milk should always be sterilized. Raw celery, lettuce, and tomatoes are of value if scrupulously cleaned. Beans and boiled cabbage do not keep well in hot weather, and should therefore be used sparingly if at all. The same is true of nut preparations. The foods mentioned do not require much time to prepare, and will therefore greatly simplify the table service, and afford more time for devotion, etc. Butter does not keep well unless on ice. The less used at camp in hot weather, the better.

It is not wise, in order to save a few cents, to deprive yourself of comfort in your tent. Do not crowd together. Do not sleep on a bedtick merely thrown upon the ground. The bed draws dampness. Sore throat and bowel troubles are sometimes caused in this way. And, too, such a course makes it difficult to keep the tent neat. By crowding you deprive yourself of the good air you should have, and also of the privacy which every one needs at camp for secret prayer and meditation. Ministers

especially need tents where there is privacy for devotion, and where they can converse and pray with those who appeal to them for help. Nothing is gained by crowding together as is sometimes done, and much is lost spiritually. The purpose of the camp has often been defeated by failing to recognize this. It does not pay to conduct affairs in a cheap way at a camp, if it works against the spiritual interests of those attending.

Ministers cannot rush for the dining tent as soon as the services are over. Demands are made upon them which frequently detain them. They should therefore not be required to stand in the bread line, waiting for their turn to be served. Precious time that should be employed more effectively for the spiritual interest of the camp is wasted in this way. It is best on this account to have special tables for all engaged in spiritual work at the camp meetings.