p. 200 | THE CAMP-MEETINGS by James White

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · March 25, 1880

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 55, No. 13

THE CAMP-MEETINGS.

By James White

THE season of camp-meetings is right upon us. Already one is appointed for Southern California, to be held the last of April. These are exceedingly important gatherings to our people and to our cause.

1. The Lord has ever regarded it for the good of his people to hold general convocations. In the former dispensation, the people presented themselves before the Lord at stated annual holy convocations. And his special blessing has rested upon the large assemblies of his people in the present dispensation. Looking to our time, the prophet of God proclaims: “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand.” Joel 2:1. “Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly; gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders.” “Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them; wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?” Verses 15-17.

2. Our camp-meetings should be seasons of general gatherings. There should be a general attendance of the ministry and of the people. Parents and guardians should put forth especial efforts to gather the children, and no pains should be spared to make our general convocations in camp, seasons of refreshing and great encouragement to our people.

3. There should be one general camp-meeting held in each State annually. All should look forward to this meeting as one of great importance, and should lay their plans to be present without fail. If thought beneficial to the cause, local camp-meetings may be held besides the annual camp-meeting, for the benefit of the people in certain localities. But these should not be so numerous as to overburden our ministers, or be held without sufficient ministerial help. At present, there are so few efficient camp-meeting laborers, and the extending field is demanding camp-meetings in those States where none have been held in years past, that if our people hold one camp-meeting in each Conference, and each new mission of promise, and all these camp-meetings are general gatherings of our people, far greater good will be accomplished than can be by more meetings poorly attended, conducted by worn-out speakers and laborers.

4. Labor at our camp-meetings should be more systematic. Each preacher and each local elder upon the ground should be allotted a specific work at the very commencement. And each tent company should at once be brought into working order, and our camp-meetings should be seasons of labor for the revival of the church and the conversion of sinners, from the commencement of them to the close.

5. The locality of our camp-meetings, whether near cities or in rural districts, should be decided in reference to central position, water, shade, and the ability of the speakers. The ground should be well selected, and prepared for convenience and comfort, as well as to meet the criticising eye of taste. And if our camp-meetings are made seasons of labor, and of thrilling interest in the truth of God, there will be but little place for a spirit of careless recreation and indifference. J. W.