Camp-Meetings Their Object, and How to Conduct Them

Business To Be Deferred

So far as possible, our camp-meetings should be wholly devoted to spiritual interests. They should not be made occasions for the transaction of business. PH130 14.3

At the camp-meetings workers are gathered from all parts of the field, and it seems a favourable opportunity for considering business matters connected with the various branches of the work, and for the training of workers in different lines. All these different interests are important, but when they have been attended to at a camp-meeting, only a small margin of time and effort remains in which to treat of the practical relation of truth to the soul. Ministers are diverted from their work of building up the children of God in the most holy faith, and the camp-meeting does not meet the end for which it was appointed. Many meetings are conducted in which the larger number of the people have little interest, and if they could attend them all, they would go away wearied instead of being refreshed and benefitted. Many are thus disappointed at the failure of their expectation to receive help from the camp-meeting. Those who came for enlightenment and strength return to their homes little better fitted to work in their families and churches than before attending the meeting. PH130 14.4

Business matters should be attended to by those specially appointed for this work, and, so far as possible, they should be brought before the people at some other time than the camp-meeting. Instruction in canvassing, in Sabbath-school work, and in the details of tract and missionary work, should be given in the home churches or in meetings specially appointed. The same principle applies to cooking-schools. While these are right in their place, they should not occupy the time at the camp-meeting. PH130 15.1

The presidents of conferences and the ministers should give themselves to the spiritual interests of the people, and should, therefore, be excused from the mechanical labour attendant upon the camp-meeting. The ministers should be ready to act as teachers and leaders in the work of the camp when needed, but they should not be wearied out. They should feel refreshed, and be in a cheerful frame of mind; for this is essential for the best good of the meeting. They should be able to speak words of cheer and courage, and to drop seeds of spiritual truth into the soil of honest hearts to spring up and bear precious fruit. PH130 15.2

The minister should teach the people how to come to the Lord, and how to lead others to Him. Methods must be adopted, plans must be carried out, whereby the standard shall be uplifted, and the people should be taught how they may be purified from iniquity, and may be elevated by adherence to pure and holy principles. PH130 16.1

There must be time for heart searching, for soul-culture. When the mind is occupied with matters of business, there must necessarily be a dearth of spiritual power. Personal piety, true faith, and heart holiness must be kept before the mind until the people realise their importance. PH130 16.2

We must have the power of God in our camp-meetings, or we shall not be able to prevail against the enemy of souls. Christ says, “Without me ye can do nothing.” PH130 16.3

Those who gather at camp-meetings must be impressed with the fact that the object of the meetings is to attain to a higher Christian experience, to advance in the knowledge of God, to become strengthened with spiritual vigour; and, unless we realise this, the meetings will to us be fruitless. PH130 16.4