Camp Meeting
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everything connected with the encampment be pure, wholesome, and
cleanly. Special attention should be given to all sanitary arrangements,
and men of sound judgment and discernment should see that nothing
is permitted to sow the seeds of sickness and death throughout the
encampment.
The tents should be securely staked, and whenever there is liability
of rain, every tent should be trenched. On no account let this be
neglected. Serious and even fatal illness has been contracted through
neglect of this precaution.
We should feel that we are representatives of truth of heavenly
origin. We are to show forth the praises of Him who has called us out
of darkness into His marvelous light. We should ever bear in mind that
angels of God are walking through the encampment, beholding the
order and arrangement in every tent. To the large numbers of people
who come to the ground, all the arrangements are an illustration of the
belief and principles of the people conducting the meeting. It should
be the very best illustration possible. All the surroundings should be a
lesson. Especially should the family tents, in their neatness and order,
giving a glimpse of home life, be a constant sermon as to the habits,
customs, and practices of Seventh-day Adventists.
Securing Attendance
As we were preparing to hold a camp meeting near a large city
where our people were but little known, I seemed one night to be in
an assembly met for consultation as to the work to be done before
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the meeting. It was proposed to make large efforts, and incur heavy
expense for distributing notices and papers. Arrangements were being
made to do this, when One who is wise in counsel said: “Set your tents,
begin your meetings, then advertise; and more will be accomplished.
“The truth as spoken by the living preacher will have greater in-
fluence than the same matter will have when published in the papers.
But both methods combined will have still greater force. It is not the
best plan to follow one line of effort year after year. Change the order
of things. When you give time and opportunity, Satan is prepared to
rally his forces, and he will work to destroy every soul possible. Do
not arouse opposition before the people have had opportunity to hear
the truth and know what they are opposing. Reserve your means to