The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 4

III. Summarizing Analysis of Millerite Camp Meetings

In order to obtain an accurate over-all picture, and to grasp the total effect of this amazing array, ‘at least 124 camp meetings, a comprehensive tabular work sheet was prepared, as for the conferences, and each camp meeting was systematically tabulated in vertical columns under a series of headings: Serial Number, Location, Date, Equipment, Attendance, and Speakers; and then the Program, Declared Purpose, Special Subjects, Music, Predominant Features, Provision for Food, and of course the Documentation. In this way an over—all picture of this remarkable series of Millerite camp meetings and their results was made possible. PFF4 652.2

From this tabular work sheet the data are here summarized, and certain definite conclusions drawn. They were grouped in the three years in which they were operated as follows: In 1842-30, 1843-40, 1844-54, or a total of about 124 in all. ¹⁷ In territorial spread they ranged from Canada on the north through all the New England States save Rhode Island, and on through New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and out to Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana, with some 14, in addition to the 124, held over in England in the year 1844. PFF4 653.1

1. ATTENDANCE

For the most part they ranged, as mentioned, from 4,000 to 10,000, with one instance of “10,000 to 15,000” reported for the weekend, and another of “10,000 to 12,000,” and only one of but 2,000. Such terms as “immense throngs,” “living masses,” “great masses,” “overflowing,” “multitude,” “large numbers,” “great gathering,” “very large/’“thousands,” “great concourse,” are used constantly in describing the larger camp meetings, which indicate the impressive numbers. PFF4 653.2

2. SPEAKERS

The speakers ranged in number from five to fifteen or more (with one up to forty) in the larger camps, and down to two, three, or four in the smaller camps. The public speaking was usually confined to a few for the main meetings, and these speakers varied widely in personnel. The large camps naturally had the most prominent leaders. The smaller ones, and those farthest away, had local leaders. In two instances there were some fifty ministers noted as present-though the majority did not participate as speakers in the public meetings. William Miller’s name appears only with a few of the largest camps each year, where he was one of the main speakers. Litch, Fitch, Himes, Cole, and Storrs were listed at more camps than any other speakers. And Hale, Cox, Whiting, Preble, Bates, Bliss, and White were next in frequency. There was liberal draft upon local speakers in a given region. And no attempt was made for any one man to take in most of the camp meetings in a given season. Occasionally there was an able woman speaker. PFF4 653.3

3. OBJECTIVES

The purpose constantly set forth was to announce the soon coming of Christ and to proclaim the judgment near, particularly to give the “Midnight Cry,” and to awaken the “slumbering virgins,” to prepare the world for the advent and to present the mighty truths for the hour. It was to preach the prophecies, to expound the signs of the times, to herald the glorious kingdom, and to emphasize the premillennial second advent. It was to present the Bible as the only standard and to engage in prayer, to open the gates of salvation and to call for complete consecration. It was to herald the coming of the Bridegroom (in 1843 the emphasis being on“1843,” and in 1844 on “1844”), and above all to protest against the prevalent temporal-millennium fallacy. PFF4 654.1

4. Music

The music included songs of praise, exhortation, warning, appeal, and doctrinal truth, the “parting song “with processions formed, and hundreds singing as they marched. New words were set to standard or current tunes. There were occasional duets and trios. PFF4 654.2

5. SPECIAL FEATURES

There were also revivals, altar calls, answers to hundreds of inquirers, funds to circulate literature, effective organization and punctuality of services. Men and women were seated separately. The communion service was celebrated, large offerings were received for expenses, many sinners were converted and backsliders reclaimed, many accepted the advent faith in these camps, and numerous baptisms were conducted, despite the attempts of dissenters to break up the meetings. And especially in 1844, there were offerings of rings, pins, beads, and precious stones. PFF4 654.3

6. MEALS

The meals were most “reasonable”-$2.00 a week, $1.75 or $1.50, and at one camp only $1.42. PFF4 654.4

7. RESULTS

Those in attendance were awe 4 by God’s presence, it is recorded. Many hundreds were converted, wanderers reclaimed, and much literature distributed. The spirit oL unity was deepened. There was widespread and effective publicity, and opportunity provided for successful evangelism. In the light of all the facts, it may therefore well be concluded that for meeting the purpose of the Millerite movement the camp meeting was unsurpassed for publicity, propaganda, and reaching the masses of the country. It would be rated high in unifying and solidifying their own ranks, and, next to the major part played by literature, was doubtless the most effective means employed by the Millerites in arresting the attention and gaining the ear of the populace. PFF4 655.1