Southern Camp-Meeting by W. C. White

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 20, 1882

Southern Camp-Meeting.

By W. C. White

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: As the time of our camp-meeting draws near, let us seek God earnestly for his blessing to rest upon us, and upon his cause in our section of the country. May we each realize that the success of the work committed to us depends on the efforts we put forth. So let us plead with God to bless the work of this camp-meeting, that both ourselves and our friends and neighbors may be truly benefited.

We all need the privileges of the camp-meeting. Let us commence in time to shape our work so as to attend all the meetings. We may not have another opportunity of this kind. Remember that life is uncertain; let us wisely improve the present. If we do our duty, God will bless us; if we neglect it, he will hold us responsible.

Talk with your neighbors and friends, and persuade them to attend the meetings. And let us make such preparation that we can make it a pleasant place for our friends to remain during the meeting.

Bro. Van Horn has been detained at home by severe sickness in his family. He leaves his child still sick, to spend some time with us before the camp-meeting. Let us show that we appreciate the sacrifices which the servants of God are willing to make in our behalf, by faithfully seconding their efforts, and discharging our duty. And above all, let us remember the amazing sacrifice which God and his Son have made, that we may have life, and let us rejoice that we have the privilege of being workers together with God in the greatest work in which man can engage.

Our missionary work has not received all that attention that it should have received. We need to have a revival of the spirit of consecration to the cause and work of God. Those who hold offices in the Missionary Societies need to be prompt in the discharge of their duties, and the members must be equally prompt in working and reporting their work. For our failures in the past let us unitedly humble ourselves before God, and seek a fitting up for future duty.

Bring your children to the meeting. The Sabbath-school work will receive attention, and a school will be held on Sabbath mornings. Come expecting to take part in the exercises. Come expecting that your children will attend the meetings, and receive benefit from them. Pray for the success of the meetings in this respect.

Do not let the burden of the meeting rest on a few. Let each one ask himself, What can I do to make this meeting successful? What responsibility rests upon me? Let no one urge that his talent is small, or that he has but one, and so hide it in the earth.

The "sure word of prophecy" is fast being fulfilled, showing indeed that "now is our salvation nearer than when we believed." We have no time to lose. Who, by indifference or carelessness, will risk his case now? The prize is almost in sight. Let us not be weary in well-doing, but by diligence make our calling and election sure, and so gain an entrance abundantly into the kingdom of our Lord.

CAMP-MEETING COMMITTEE. Hanford, Cal.