Camp Meeting
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“Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip did not try to
combat his prejudice and unbelief. He said: “Come and see.” This was
wise; for as soon as Nathanael saw Jesus, he was convinced that Philip
was right. His unbelief was swept away, and faith, firm, strong, and
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abiding, took possession of his soul. Jesus commended the trusting
faith of Nathanael.
There are many in the same condition as was Nathanael. They are
prejudiced and unbelieving because they have never come in contact
with the special truths for these last days or with the people who hold
them, and it will require but attendance upon a meeting full of the
Spirit of Christ to sweep away their unbelief. No matter what we have
to meet, what opposition, what effort to turn souls away from the truth
of heavenly origin, we must give publicity to our faith, that honest
souls may see and hear and be convinced for themselves. Our work is
to say, as did Philip: “Come and see.”
We hold no doctrine that we wish to hide. To those who have
been educated to keep the first day of the week as a sacred day, the
most objectionable feature of our faith is the Sabbath of the fourth
commandment. But does not God’s word declare that the seventh day
is the Sabbath of the Lord our God? True, it is not an easy matter to
make the required change from the first to the seventh day. It involves
a cross. It clashes with the precepts and practices of men. Learned
men have taught the people tradition till they are full of unbelief and
prejudice. Yet we must say to these people: “Come and see.” God
requires us to proclaim the truth and let it discover error.
Attendance of Church Members
It is important that the members of our churches should attend
our camp meetings. The enemies of truth are many; and because
our numbers are few, we should present as strong a front as possible.
Individually you need the benefits of the meeting, and God calls upon
you to number one in the ranks of truth.
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Some will say: “It is expensive to travel, and it would be better
for us to save the money and give it for the advancement of the work
where it is so much needed.” Do not reason in this way; God calls
upon you to take your place among the rank and file of His people.
Strengthen the meeting all you possibly can by being present with