After the Camp Meeting
By camp meetings held in the cities thousands will be called out to
hear the invitation to the feast: “Come; for all things are now ready.”
Luke 14:17
. After arousing the interest of the people, we should not
cut these meetings short, pulling down all the tents and giving the im-
pression that the meeting is over. Just at the time when hundreds have
become interested, the greatest good may be accomplished by faithful
and earnest work. Therefore the meetings should be so managed that
the public interest may be maintained.
After one of the camp meetings the question as to the continuance
of tent meetings was under consideration. I told the brethren a dream
I had had. I dreamed that I saw a partially completed building. The
workmen were gathering up their tools, preparing to leave it unfinished;
but I entreated them to consider the matter. “The building is not
finished,” I said; “come back, and keep at work until it is roofed.” Then
they came back and continued the work. So the brethren heeded my
counsel to remain and continue the work of the camp meeting. As the
result a number accepted the truth.
There need not be so many failures in the expensive efforts put
forth in camp meetings and tent meetings; there need not be so few
sheaves to bring to the Master. In places where the standard of present
truth has never been lifted, more souls will now be converted as the
result of a certain amount of work than ever before. For everyone
whose hands seem to be weakening and losing their hold I have the
word: “Grasp the standard more firmly.” Faith says: “Go forward.”
You must not fail nor be discouraged. There is no weakness of faith in
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him who is constantly advancing.
After a camp meeting it may sometimes be difficult to hold the
principal speakers for several weeks to develop the interest awakened.
It may be expensive to retain the ground and to keep a sufficient
number of the family tents standing to maintain the appearance of a
camp meeting. It may be at a sacrifice that several families remain on
the ground to assist the ministers and Bible workers in visiting and
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