THE OBJECT OF OUR CAMP-MEETINGS.
By Stephen N. Haskell
The object of the camp-meetings is to get the truth before those not of our faith, as well as to benefit our own people. For either purpose these meetings are important. They afford the only opportunity that many of our people have to hear the living preacher, and not a few make great sacrifices to attend them. During the year our papers are the only preaching that they have; and some do not have the privilege of attending even a social meeting with those of like faith, during this long interval. What they hear at the camp-meetings is food for them a long time. These meetings also give a mold to the cause in the vicinity where they are held, and to a large degree they determine the character of the work in the several Conferences during the year. The officers for the various State Conference organizations are usually elected at this time, and other important business transacted which is of special interest to our brethren and sisters. These meetings should also be made seasons of instruction at which the cause in its several phases should be presented, and the best methods of laboring in connection with them set forth. No pains should be spared in making these seasons profitable to those who have any desire to labor in the cause of God. We are living in an important time, when every effort possible should be put forth to prepare a people to stand in the time of trouble which is just before us. Those who have been most intimately connected with the cause, and have had the deepest experience in divine things of any among us, usually attend these meetings; and the discourses given partake more of a practical than of a doctrinal nature. The wants of the cause are also presented, and an opportunity is afforded to learn more of the nature of our work than can be learned in other meetings. Those not of our faith are frequently interested in much of this instruction. Many of them have read our publications, and have thus learned of our views and become interested in them. Our publications have been distributed everywhere, and it is by this means that the public generally are becoming interested to learn of our work. It is upon these occasions, therefore, that special efforts should be put forth to seek God. It was on the day of Pentecost that God came near and poured out of his Spirit, and three thousand were converted. This was the largest meeting of the kind that had ever been held by the disciples, and they had been together seeking God ten days. The object of our camp-meetings, briefly stated, is to encourage and strengthen our people in the work of God, particularly to impart the necessary instruction to those who desire to labor in the cause, and to spread the knowledge of the truth as extensively as possible. WHERE SHOULD THEY BE HELD?
Having stated the object of the camp-meetings, this question is easily answered. They should be held where the largest attendance can be secured. The success which has attended those held in our largest cities the past few years sustains this position. In some instances there has been a failure in securing a large attendance, in consequence of holding the meeting a mile or two out of the city, or so far away that the people could not walk, nor ride on the horse cars. The more accessible the location to the public, the better. If the meetings must be held some distance out of the city, it is better to go out far enough that people can obtain cheap excursion tickets by rail to the ground. In this case they should always be held on the line of some principal railroad, that would consider it an object to accommodate the public by running their trains so that persons can attend service in the forenoon, afternoon, or evening, and return home. On this point it is necessary to say but little, as our experience in the past has taught that grounds that are easy of access, dry, and otherwise pleasantly located, are the most desirable. Groves are far more pleasant than open fields; but it is usually impossible to secure them in cities. For this reason more camp-meetings are held where there is not a tree or shrub than in groves; but a large tent to be used as an auditorium is necessary. Its size should be in proportion to the demands of the place and circumstances of the meeting. We would say to our brethren, Locate your meetings where a large attendance can be secured, and then prepare to accommodate all who come. PREPARATION FOR THE MEETING.
Wherever the location, prepare the way first by a canvass of the locality where the meeting is to be282 held. In cities this will require quite a number of active workers. When the time of the meeting arrives, the plan of distributing quite a number of camp-meeting Signs supplements has been found to be a successful one. These can be printed at the Signs Office, and sent out with the paper. In addition to these, have a sufficient quantity printed to circulate over a large extent of territory. Some Conferences have used as many as twelve thousand in one season. The experience of those Conferences that have made advertising a study, has taught them that it is better not to scatter handbills or posters until a week before the meeting. At that time they also begin to insert articles in the city papers, stating where the meeting is to be held, describing the grounds, and giving such particulars as are of interest to the general reader. The best and most popular papers in the city should be selected. Advertising the meeting in this manner, a few days before it begins, if it is done properly, will never fail of securing an attendance, providing the meeting is held in a proper place. The grounds should be arranged to present a neat, tidy appearance. Nothing should be seen that would indicate a “don’t care for looks” spirit. The tents should be pitched in line and in some regular order. Our God is a God of order. No one will fail to recognize this fact if he will read carefully his directions to the Israelites, after he had brought them out of the land of Egypt, with respect to the arrangement of their tents. The private walks for ladies and gentlemen should be so arranged that no trouble can arise in connection with them. This is very important. Lives may be sacrificed in consequence of a lack of sanitary regulations in such matters. Upon this point consult Deut. 23:12-14. God anciently gave special directions upon this point, and he is no less particular now. It would be well for those who design to prepare grounds for camp-meetings, to study the plan God anciently gave his people with respect to their tents and surroundings; not that it can always be followed in every particular, but much can be learned as to how God regards these things. Make ready for the great King to come into your midst; seek him to come, believe that he will come, and he will not disappoint you.