Camp Meeting
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But in order for us to fulfill God’s purpose, there is a prepara-
tory work to be done. The Lord bids us empty our hearts of the
selfishness which is the root of alienation. He longs to pour upon
us His Holy Spirit in rich measure, and He bids us clear the way by
self-renunciation. When self is surrendered to God, our eyes will be
opened to see the stumbling stones which our un-Christlikeness has
placed in the way of others. All these God bids us remove. He says:
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye
may be healed.”
James 5:16
. Then we may have the assurance that
David had when, after confession of his sin, he prayed: “Restore unto
me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free Spirit. Then
will I teach transgressors Thy ways; and sinners shall be converted
unto Thee.”
Psalm 51:12, 13
.
When the grace of God reigns within, the soul will be surrounded
with an atmosphere of faith and courage and Christlike love, an atmo-
sphere invigorating to the spiritual life of all who inhale it. Then we
can go to the camp meeting not merely to receive, but to impart. Ev-
eryone who is a partaker of Christ’s pardoning love, everyone who has
been enlightened by the Spirit of God and converted to the truth, will
feel that for these precious blessings he owes a debt to every soul with
whom he comes in contact. Those who are humble in heart the Lord
will use to reach souls whom the ordained ministers cannot approach.
They will be moved to speak words which reveal the saving grace of
Christ.
And in blessing others they will themselves be blessed. God gives
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us opportunity to impart grace, that He may refill us with increased
grace. Hope and faith will strengthen as the agent for God works with
the talents and facilities that God has provided. He will have a divine
agency to work with him.
Business Matters
As far as possible our camp meetings should be wholly devoted
to spiritual interests. They should not be made occasions for the
transaction of business.
At the camp meetings, workers are gathered from all parts of the
field, and it seems a favorable opportunity for considering business
matters connected with the various branches of the work and for the