The Review and Herald
June 26, 1888
The Camp-Meeting at Selma, California
We left Fresno, April 22, to attend the Selma camp-meeting. On our way to this place, we were seated behind a mother and her two children. On the short journey of fifteen miles, this woman drank four goblets of wine from the bottle in her lunch basket. The children were indulged in the wine until they both seemed to be in a state of intoxication. The older one acted like an inebriate, working his face in the most hideous contortions, until his brother struck him with his fist. The mother then interfered with a blow from her hand, and in her efforts to set matters right, made them a great deal worse. I could not help reflecting on the probable future of this family. What a terrible picture rose before my mind as the counterpart of the scene before me! I pitied the children who had their own mother to act the part of the tempter in dragging them down to ruin. This is how drunkards are made. How does God look upon these wicked and indulgent parents? Parents and children will one day stand around the great white throne to be called to account for the work of their lives. The books will be opened, and they will be judged according to the deeds done in the body. They will have to view their life-work just as it is, but it will be too late to redeem the failures of the past. RH June 26, 1888, par. 1
When we arrived on the camp ground, we found everything arranged in a neat, tasteful manner. The tents were provided with stoves, and the restaurant was fitted so that the whole encampment could be provided with good, wholesome food. We felt deep sympathy for those who were confined to the camp kitchen, and who were obliged to endure the heat of the stove, that food might be prepared for the campers. We thought that no one could have the heart to complain at the provisions in the dining-tent; for although it was at a season when the old supply of fruit could not be obtained without great expense, yet the food supplied, was palatable, and of a suitable variety. The meeting was advancing, and but few privileges were enjoyed by the workers in the kitchen. The question presented itself to my mind. Must it continue so? Is it necessary to have three meals a day, to go through all this round of cooking and washing dishes, and cooking again, so many times during the day? We spoke in behalf of those who were denied the privileges of the meeting on this account; and it was proposed that those on the grounds should share in the self-denial, by dispensing with the third meal. This met with approval, and from that time there were but two meals prepared in the tent, and the workers were much relieved. RH June 26, 1888, par. 2
At our camp-meetings we should have good wholesome food, prepared in as simple a manner as possible. We should not turn them into occasions for feasting. If we appreciate the blessings of God, if we are feeding on the Bread of life, we will not be much concerned about gratifying the appetite. The great burden of our hearts will be, How is it with my soul? There will be such a longing for spiritual food, that will impart spiritual strength, that we will not complain because the diet is plain and simple. There were several on the camp-ground who had eaten but two meals a day for twenty years, and were enjoying better health than those who had eaten the third meal. RH June 26, 1888, par. 3
Is there not more danger of backsliding on the camp ground, if its opportunities and privileges are not improved and appreciated, than if you had remained at home? When the truth is presented day after day with power, and there are precious privileges afforded of obtaining a more correct knowledge of the word of God and of eternal things, can you not see that if these blessed occasions are not appreciated, they will prove as savor of death unto death? Young men and women who allow their minds to be diverted, and engage in flirtation on the camp-ground, are meeting with loss for time and for eternity. The mind is not stayed upon God. The thoughts are not upon the truth spoken from the sacred desk. The affections are not upon Jesus and spiritual things. A bewitching power seizes their minds, and they become infatuated, until carnal affections take entire control of their natures, and they return to their homes worse than when they came to the meeting. RH June 26, 1888, par. 4
The camp-meetings are important occasions for all our people. It is designed that at least one week may be given up to seek God without interruption. The whole heart should be engaged in this service, that a better knowledge of the Scriptures may be obtained, that the plan of salvation may be better understood, and that there may be a deeper realization of what salvation means, and what it will cost to meet the high requirements of God. Those who carry the truth into their daily lives, will see a decided change in their characters. If you are brought into close sympathy with Christ, you will not engage in light and trifling conversation, you will not be indifferent to the great themes of redemption, you will not enter into flirtation, and show preference one for another on these solemn occasions. The spiritual sensibilities will be aroused. Christ himself will be the honored guest in every meeting. We know that Satan will also be in the assembly, seeking to win the thoughts and the heart away from Christ. RH June 26, 1888, par. 5
We are living in the antitypical day of atonement, and our High Priest is in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, pleading his blood in behalf of his people. The mighty achievement upon Calvary, should not become an old, forgotten story to any of us. The object of these camp-meetings is to arouse the mind to a more vivid sense of the solemnity of these things. Grasp the truth as it is presented to you for your soul's sake. Cherish every new idea, every divine enlightenment, lest you let the truth slip from your heart, as water from a leaky vessel. Seek to walk in every ray of light that comes to you through the ministration of the word. As we grow in the knowledge of the truth, we shall have fellowship one with another, and the more we think of Jesus and his matchless love, the deeper will that love take possession of our heart, mind, and soul, and we will enter into the scenes of Christ's humiliation, and become partakers of the divine nature. RH June 26, 1888, par. 6
O, what a means of grace the camp-meetings might be, if all who come at such trouble and expense would be profited thereby, and would not become uneasy and restless, and feel that it is a loss of time! We should feel that two weeks is none too long a time to efface the worldly mold, to empty the soul temple of the buyers and sellers, and of everything that defiles. Every meeting should find God's people in the place of worship, expecting that Jesus will walk through the congregation to bless all who are hungering and thirsting for his salvation. RH June 26, 1888, par. 7
What would become of the churches if there were no special seasons when the Spirit of Christ was sought for with earnestness and fervor, and the cold hearts were warmed by the rays of divine light? God wants to be inquired of by his people, before he pours out his Holy Spirit upon the church. How earnestly should every member pray and labor, and labor and pray for the deep movings of Spirit of God! There is solemn work that must be done to enlighten souls now sitting in darkness. The fallow ground of the heart must be broken up. The indifferent and back-slidden must have personal efforts made for them, and each member of the church should do works meet for repentance, in carrying with solemn, earnest zeal to all within reach the Master's gracious invitation. RH June 26, 1888, par. 8
Take up the work that lies nearest to you. Go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, that the Lord's table may be supplied with guests. A sleepy, Christless church, quarreling and surmising evil, will have no reward, and need look for no revival, unless its members repent, and do the first works. RH June 26, 1888, par. 9
The camp meetings at Selma was a precious meeting to all who really hungered and thirsted after righteousness. Those whose minds were placed upon worldly interests, were not benefited; but, I fear were made worse; for their hearts were open to temptation. On the Sabbath I was pained to the soul to hear, by the side of my tent, an earnest conversation in regard to houses and lands, and the prospect of property's rising in value. I thought it must be those not of our faith, who were thus engaged in talking on worldly matters on the Sabbath day; but looking from my tent, I saw it was one of our brethren and another man who were occupied in this way. This brother should have been wholly in earnest, that the meeting might be a blessing to Selma; but alas! his heart and mind were on temporal, worldly things. While claiming to be a Sabbath-keeper, he was doing business with mind and heart and voice. Says the Scripture, “If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” RH June 26, 1888, par. 10
I hope that this brother will have a pure, sincere heart, and will be a doer of the commandments of the Lord; then he will be a light to shine forth to others. But, if his profession of belief and reverence for the Sabbath is only a form, he will be a body of darkness to the church in Selma, or wherever he may go. He has not that faith that will venture something for the sake of the truth. The truth is kept apart from his life. It does not mold and fashion his character. Unless he is converted in heart, he will not practice the truth, however much he may claim to believe it. RH June 26, 1888, par. 11
We heard two other brethren talking of the railroads that were to be laid in different sections of the country, and commenting on the profitableness of investing in lands in those parts of the State. Here we saw that in a meeting of about ten days, all the believers in the truth could not leave worldly thoughts and speculations behind them, to engage unreservedly in the worship of God. I was led with pain to inquire how many of these poor souls had opened through their hearts a highway for the traffic of the world, and had closed the door to Jesus and the truth. I said, It is such thoughts, such heart service to the world, that keeps the blessing of God from our meetings; for the Lord will pour out his Spirit only upon those who really hunger and thirst after righteousness. If there ever was need of earnest, heart-felt prayers to God, mingled with living faith, it is in this our day of opportunities, of dangers, of trials. God will not revive his work in any church unless it is sincerely desired, and earnestly sought for. RH June 26, 1888, par. 12
We are very grateful to God that he helped his servants to preach the word, and enabled them to give most valuable instruction in these meetings. We are assured that many souls were benefited. A number came forward for prayer and hearty confessions were made. There was a brother present who had been converted at the camp-meeting in Selma a year before. He has since been a worker in the cause of his Master. Through his influence, several came to the meeting, and were converted to the truth. During the meeting, he and his wife went out a distance of twelve miles from the encampment, and brought in a lady acquaintance who had held an important position of trust in connection with the Arizona State Legislature. She embraced the truth while at the meeting. How much more of this work might be done by the members of our churches! This brother provided comfortable accommodations and restaurant fare for these people; for he felt deeply in earnest for their souls. He had opportunity to see the result of his interest; for when the call was made for the European Mission, one of the converts pledged fifty dollars; another, twenty-five; and another, five dollars. There was not much time after the seed was sown before the harvest was gathered. We have reason to magnify the grace of God that has done wonderful things. RH June 26, 1888, par. 13
We could not urge our brethren at this small camp-meeting to make large pledges to the European Mission fund; for many of them were residents of Fresno, and had pledged $30,000 toward erecting church, mission, and school buildings. However, $3,125 were pledged for the European work. One thousand dollars were pledged at the meeting in Fresno. Eighty dollars were raised by the children for the London mission, and money was provided to defray the camp-meeting expenses. We thank the Lord for the liberality of our brethren, and we hope and pray that the blessing of the Lord will rest upon those who are striving to do their duty in supporting home and foreign missions. We need, not only money for this work, but also men who will give themselves to the cause of God. RH June 26, 1888, par. 14
The messengers should be laborers together with God. The harvest of souls is to be secured only by deep, heart-felt intercession with the Lord of the harvest. We must bear a decided testimony to the people. Direct appeals must be made, to awaken the church from its slumbering condition. Those who have a knowledge of the truth must be living witnesses for Christ; that their light may shine forth to others. There must be faithful work done in the pulpit and out of the pulpit. Close, searching, personal labor must be done to prepare the way for the Lord to work upon minds and hearts. We must have less of self, and more of Jesus. Every individual in the church should examine himself, to see whether or not he is in the truth. This close heart-searching is essential. Prayers of faith must be continually ascending to God; and when he gives us tokens of good, let us manifest our appreciation by praising him from whom all blessing flow. RH June 26, 1888, par. 15
Satan is ever busy with his temptations and deceptions at our camp-meetings and revival services. Wherever special efforts are made to seek God, the evil one is ready to catch away the good seed sown in the heart. When a few souls are convicted and converted, do not cease your efforts. Keep at work, there are other souls that need saving. Our work must be a continuous work. Our zeal must not abate in the least degree. RH June 26, 1888, par. 16
We had much to be grateful for during the meetings at Lemoore,* Fresno, and Selma. We feel a deep interest in these churches, and hope it may not be said of them, that “he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” We are thankful to our Heavenly Father for health and strength to do the work that he has committed to our hands. RH June 26, 1888, par. 17