THE CAMP-MEETINGS by Joseph Clarke

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, May 6, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 19

THE CAMP-MEETINGS.

By Joseph Clarke

BY JOSEPH CLARKE.

THESE meetings are evidently a means in the hands of God of extending the message, and of publishing it to the world. Our people are so scattered—one here and another there—that they need something of this kind to encourage them forward in the work, and to unite all hearts. Drill and discipline are necessary to an effective organization; and the camp-meeting, as conducted by our people, is so strictly protected from idleness, gossip, and disorder, by constant religious exercises and business sessions, and by the spirit of devotion and faithfulness, that evil works are, in a great measure, shut out. Since the first camp-meeting, held at Wright, Michigan, many years ago, our people have held numerous camp-meetings with success; and no one of these occasions has proved a failure. God has set his seal upon them, and owned them as his.

Children, and many others who cannot realize that we are proclaiming to the world the third angel’s message, because they see and hear so little in their retired localities, have in these meetings an opportunity to see and hear the work proclaimed in power; and they return home rooted and grounded in the faith. And strangers, who only occasionally see an advocate of this faith, have here an opportunity to hear the word of God explained, with clearness and power.

It should be the great object in view to be prepared for every call of God; and we should now be looking forward to the meetings of the coming season, with the design of preparing to attend them. All the little ones who are of a responsible age, should be present. I have been astonished to see parents leave their children at home to attend school, or keep the house. If any should attend these meetings it is the children of Sabbath-keepers. Who are more in need of deep religious impressions than the youth? Who are in more danger from the wiles of Satan? And while the youth are neglecting these interesting and important opportunities, Satan may be weaving his web about them to their ruin. Teachers should so arrange their contracts, that they may be perfectly free to attend the camp-meetings from the commencement to the close. What says the prophet? “Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts; let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.”

A very great power attends the camp-meeting, and it is a power for good. Satan will hold us back if he can; for he knows he can thus hinder the work. Let him not prevail.

The better and more complete the preparation for these meetings, the more benefit shall we reap from them. It is better to be a half a day or a day in advance, in the work of preparation, than to incur a risk of delay through a want of promptness: “How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! . . . A day in thy courts is better than a thousand.” Ps. 84:1, 10.