The Review and Herald
December 2, 1909
Visit in Central New England
D. E. Robinson
After resting for four days at the home of Brother H. C. Wilcox in South Lancaster, Mass., Mrs. E. G. White and her helpers left to attend the Central New England camp-meeting, held at Nashua, N. H. The grounds were in a good residence portion of the city, on a street-car line. There was a good attendance, there being a larger number present than at any previous camp-meeting since the formation of the Atlantic Union Conference, and the division of the former New England Conference. Among the other laborers present were Elders S. N. Haskell, H. J. Edmed, E. W. Farnsworth, F. C. Gilbert, H. C. Hartwell, F. W. Stray, and C. S. Longacre, also Dr. D. H. Kress and Prof. B. F. Machlan. RH December 2, 1909, par. 1
During the forenoon meeting on Sabbath, June 26, the Spirit of the Lord was manifest in a marked manner. Mrs. White spoke, basing her remarks upon the chapters in Exodus containing the account of the giving of the law from Sinai, Israel's apostasy, and Moses's intercession with God in their behalf. RH December 2, 1909, par. 2
“I have read of this experience, ” she said, “that we may not become careless or indifferent, thinking that it makes no great difference if we do not exactly fulfil God's requirements. Many even think that it matters not whether they observe as the Sabbath the day that God has plainly specified, or substitute a day of man's invention. In the Judgment we shall all be judged by the standard of God's Word. RH December 2, 1909, par. 3
“The mercy and compassion of God have been manifested in long-suffering kindness to His people. Let us follow on to know the Lord, that we may know that ‘His going forth is prepared as the morning.’ In the gift of Christ we see something of the measure of God's love to us. ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ What have we manifested of self-denial and self-sacrifice in Christ's service? Unless we are in communion with God, unless we reveal the fruits of a pure and undefiled religion, our religious profession is worthless. RH December 2, 1909, par. 4
“Heaven is open for us. God is waiting, longing to bestow upon us his choicest blessings, if we will come to him as little children. And we need all the power that we can receive. In a little while from this, the power of Satan will be so manifest that it will be impossible for you to enjoy such advantages as you do today. I beg of you to appreciate these advantages, and to make of this gathering a season of earnest seeking of the Lord. RH December 2, 1909, par. 5
“I long to see souls converted at this meeting. How many here will seek the Lord with all their hearts? You can not make yourselves any better, but you may come to the Saviour just as you are. We feel in earnest in the matter of preparing for the coming of our Saviour in the clouds of heaven. I am sure that there are many here today who will take their stand on the Lord's side.” RH December 2, 1909, par. 6
Mrs. White then requested some of the front seats to be vacated, and made a call for those who desired to receive special help in drawing near to God, to come forward. She appealed specifically to the unconverted, to backsliders, and to children and parents. While many were responding to the invitation, she said: RH December 2, 1909, par. 7
“We are not to fix an arbitrary time on such occasions as this when our meetings must close. When the Spirit of God begins to work, we must not restrict its operations, even if a rule has been made that the meeting shall close at a certain hour or minute.” RH December 2, 1909, par. 8
Elder Gilbert, Elder Haskell, and others joined in seconding this earnest appeal, and the silent but powerful work of the spirit on hearts was manifested as one and another went forward. Earnest prayer was then offered in behalf of this company. Afterward they were divided into a number of divisions, and opportunity was given for each to bear testimony. Though this service continued for over three hours, those present felt that it was a time of refreshing. RH December 2, 1909, par. 9
In a discourse Sunday forenoon, Mrs. White emphasized the importance of Christian education. She said: RH December 2, 1909, par. 10
“Some speak of the ‘higher education,’ meaning a training that is only to be received by men who do not believe in the Word of God. Jesus Christ was sent to this world to make known that which is essential for salvation. How could we discount his teachings more than by sending our children and youth to be educated by men who do not recognize the authority of the Word of God? We are seeking to prepare for the heavenly courts. We desire our children to be welcomed into the city of God when its golden gates shall be swung back on their glittering hinges, that the nations that have kept the truth may enter in. Then how can we consistently place these children under the influence of those who will insinuate into their minds error and doubts, even though their teachings are called ‘higher education’? RH December 2, 1909, par. 11
“The highest education you can receive is to learn how to ‘add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.... For if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.’” RH December 2, 1909, par. 12
In closing her remarks, Mrs. White made another appeal for reconsecration, and a few were added to the number who the day before had expressed their determination to seek the Lord anew. Tuesday forenoon many of these were buried in baptism; and before the meeting closed, another baptismal service was held. Forty-two candidates in all submitted gladly to this solemn rite. RH December 2, 1909, par. 13
Tuesday afternoon, Mrs. White again addressed the congregation assembled in the large tent. She read and commented upon the instruction found in the John 15:1, and made a strong appeal for individual efforts to be put forth in giving the message to friends and neighbors. RH December 2, 1909, par. 14
“In our homes,” she said, “we have a very important work to do for the salvation of our children, but we are not to shut ourselves up to service merely for our own families. We must not allow ourselves to be so overwhelmed with household cares that we shall find no time for visiting those about us. If a ray of light has come to you, find some one to whom you can impart it. There is a world to be warned, and we are to receive help and light and blessing from Jesus Christ, then carry this light to other souls. In this work you will not labor alone; angels of God will go before you. RH December 2, 1909, par. 15
“If you are repulsed by some one to whom you try to speak of the salvation of Christ, do not become discouraged. Do not say, ‘I will never speak to him again regarding religious subjects.’ The angels of God may work upon his heart, and prepare him for that which you desire to impart to him. He who is our advocate in the heavenly courts, has bidden us carry his gospel into every part of the earth, and he gives us the comforting assurance, ‘Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.’ Shall one of us hold back from engaging in this service with him? RH December 2, 1909, par. 16
“As a people we need to arouse, that we may realize the value that Christ has placed upon the human soul. Day by day we are brought in contact with those who are unsaved, and shall we let them go as though they had no souls to save? Since I left Washington, I have passed through city after city, and I have asked the question, Who is laboring here? Who feels a burden to go from house to house, visiting and praying with the people, and carrying to them the precious publications containing the truths that mean eternal life to those who receive them? There is a work for women as well as for men. Paul speaks of the women who labored with him in the gospel. All who dedicate themselves unreservedly to God will have a message to bear.” RH December 2, 1909, par. 17
Wednesday morning, June 30, Mrs. White and a party, including Elder and Mrs. Edmed and Elder Haskell, accompanied Elder Gilbert to Concord, Mass. A few hours were spent in driving about the beautiful and historic portions of Concord, then the party were driven out to the property that has been secured as a refuge home for Jewish workers and converts. The home is beautifully located, and the buildings seem well adapted to the work. Elder Gilbert and his associates have labored untiringly in the securing and fitting up of the institution. RH December 2, 1909, par. 18
When the family were gathered for dinner, Mrs. White led out in earnest prayer, acknowledging with gratitude the providence of God that had led in the securing of the property, and asking His blessing to rest upon the work and the workers. After dinner the party were driven over a portion of the land, until it was necessary to hasten to take the train for South Lancaster. RH December 2, 1909, par. 19
Thursday morning, Mrs. White and her helpers drove to Sterling, a distance of about five miles from South Lancaster, to visit the “Pilgrims’ Rest,” a property recently purchased by the Atlantic Union Conference as a home for some of our aged brethren and sisters. This property consists of one hundred fourteen acres of land, a twenty-six-room house, and a well-built, commodious barn. The house was originally built by the town of Sterling. At the time of our visit, the building was being fitted up for use. Several applications had been made for admission, but the home had not been formally opened. RH December 2, 1909, par. 20
In securing this home, our brethren did not intend to ignore the obligations resting upon the relatives of our aged brethren and sisters to care for those of their own household. Nor would they remove from the members of local churches the responsibility of caring for the poor and needy among them. But there are some who have no one to whom they can look for sympathy or support, and for such as these the Pilgrims’ Rest gives promise for furnishing an ideal retreat. RH December 2, 1909, par. 21