New Zealand Camp Meeting by C. H. Prettyman

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 16, 1914

New Zealand Camp Meeting

By C. H. Prettyman

It was indeed a privilege to attend the meeting which has just closed. It was held on the show grounds at Palmerston North, a thriving inland town about eighty miles from Wellington.

If one word can express the sentiment prevailing during the whole meeting, that word is earnestness. God's people had come, like the cripple who lay at the gate Beautiful of the temple and sought alms from Peter and John, "expecting to receive something;" and there was, we believe, no one who went away disappointed. In the devotional meetings in the early mornings, frequently the time was gone before all who wished to take part in praise and prayer could get opportunity.

Both Sabbath morning services were conducted by Pastor Fulton, who appealed to his hearers to seek for a deeper spiritual experience. On the first Sabbath, almost the whole congregation arose in response to a call to renewed consecration to God's service. Opportunity was then given for any who wanted to seek God in a special manner and for some definite purpose, to come forward, and a large number responded. Among this company were some who were giving their hearts to God for the first time, many of them children; also some who had backslidden from the Christian pathway, and others who were seeking a deeper consecration. Judging by the testimonies, all received help. Some were convicted by the Spirit of God of their failure to live up to the light of health reform, especially concerning the use of tea, and conformity to the world in dress. May God give these dear souls victory.

After the experience of the first Sabbath, it did not seem likely that a similar meeting could be held on the following Sabbath. But others had come in during the week, and when, at the close of an earnest address, opportunity was given for those who wished especially to seek God's help to arise, several did so. As the appeal continued, many others arose and came forward, and the presence and power of the Holy Spirit could be felt as he was working for the people. Conviction was brought anew to many hearts, and there were some who surrendered to God for the first time. I could not but feel as I witnessed these scenes and heard the earnest words, that the latter rain, so long looked for, was falling on God's people. I have been in many such gatherings, but I do not remember one where so much of the power of God was experienced as at this time.

Much of the success of the meetings was due to the earnest prayers offered by several bands which were organized for the purpose, and which met in the early mornings before the 6:30 meetings.

There was a very meager attendance from the outside until the closing service on Sunday evening, January 25, when Pastor Anderson spoke on the "History of the Sabbath," to a large and attentive audience. The message was given in plain terms, and the Spirit of God brought conviction of the truth to some hearts. We have good reason to believe that some in Palmerston North will throw in their lot with God's people as a result of this and preceding meetings. One young man employed in the post office took his stand on the Lord's side in the Sabbath service, and some who had come from other places to learn more of the truth took the same definite step during the meetings. Six in all have publicly expressed their belief in present truth.

One striking feature of the gathering was the number of new Sabbath keepers present. "This is my first camp meeting," was heard from many lips. God has blessed the conference workers during the past year, and ninety-one persons have been baptized by them between the close of last camp meeting and the opening of this one, for which we thank God and take courage.

C. H. PRETTYMAN.