Plans for Camp Meeting by Mrs. G. F. Watson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 19, 1914

Plans for Camp Meeting

By Mrs. G. F. Watson

As camp meeting time approaches, we who are Missionary Volunteer secretaries should send up most earnest pleas that the great God who hears and answers the petition that comes from the heart will give us a special preparation, a putting away of everything that will prevent us from being used of him in winning the dear young people to loving service for him. In every conference may be found consecrated young people, who, if invited to do so, will gladly join in petitioning for a great measure of God's converting power to be present at the meeting.

A plan to be recommended is that of writing to the parents about a month or six weeks before the date of meeting, seeking to impress upon them the need of bringing their young people with them; and a few days later writing to the young people themselves is often a stimulus to greater efforts to attend the meeting. We should be early on the ground, ready with a welcome as they come.

Perhaps you can interest them in preparing the Missionary Volunteer meeting tent, which should be made to look as neat and pretty as possible. The Missionary Volunteer aim and motto should be found here, also an organ and a blackboard. Nature's decorations are always beautiful and restful.

Early in the meeting arrange into prayer bands those who wish to join them. The Volunteer secretary should meet with a different band at each session. Impress the need of not omitting the meeting for a single day, and pray for the unconverted or discouraged ones whose names may be mentioned by those present. I like to spend a little time every morning with the Morning Watch text for the day, and have a season of prayer for the special object designated by the calendar. I know of one secretary who canvasses the entire camp for the Morning Watch Calendar, thus getting it into the hands of many who otherwise might never have it.

Revival services should begin with the first of the meeting. Camp meeting is surely the time to bring before the young people the plans so carefully and prayerfully laid by the General Department. Standard of Attainment should be discussed, and the leaflet put into the hands of every young person. A stock of the Reading Course books should be on the ground, and one way in which to interest the young people in the books is to read selections from them at different times during the meeting. The honor roll for all those who finish before camp meeting is a stimulus to complete the course.

A tent for the young ladies and one for the young men should be located in a quiet part of the camp, furnished with tables and chairs. Reading Course and Standard of Attainment certificates, the list of gift books, honor roll, files of the Instructor, and writing material. These tents should be in charge of "fishers of men." The young people should be invited to come to these tents to read and study and write. Many an hour will thus be profitably used which otherwise might be spent in idle strolling or foolish conversation.

There is a diversity of opinion as to the number of workers who should have charge of the services of the young people's meetings; but whether there are two or more, they should be those who know the importance of instructing the youth in the great need of prayer, and in different ways of studying the Bible. They should be able to teach these young persons how to become soul winners. No matter how large a number are converted and baptized, unless they have learned something of the value and need of these things, they will return to their homes to do much as they did before they came. Preaching is not so much needed as instruction.

A report read from each society at a meeting appointed for that purpose, telling of the work done during the year, of the offerings made, and of special efforts in temperance work and work in other lines, might bring about a healthy discussion and an interchange of plans and ideas. There is one phase of this work which should not be overlooked, and that is parents' meetings. Most earnest instruction should be given the fathers and mothers regarding the spiritual atmosphere of the home, the need of observing the Sabbath according to the instruction given us by the Lord, of family worship, of paying tithe and of teaching their children to pay tithe, of a daily study of the Sabbath school lesson, etc. But when all has been done that can be done, and the last meeting been held, and we have gone to our different homes, let us remember to pray for and write to the dear young people, especially those who have been converted at the meeting, and in this way begin at once to get ready for the next camp meeting.

MRS. G. F. WATSON.