76
Evangelism
work. The meetings must be so managed that the public interest shall
be maintained.
It may be difficult, sometimes, to hold the principal speakers for
some weeks to develop the interest awakened by the meeting; it may
be expensive to retain the grounds, and to keep standing a sufficient
number of the family tents to maintain the appearance of a camp
meeting; it may be at a sacrifice that several families remain camping
on the grounds, to assist the ministers and Bible workers in visiting
and in holding Bible study with those who come on the grounds, and
in visiting the people at their homes, telling them of the blessings
received at the meetings, and inviting them to come; but the results
will be worthy of the effort. It is by such earnest, energetic efforts
as these that some of our camp meetings have been instrumental in
raising up strong, working churches; and it is by just such earnest work
that the third angel’s message must be carried to the people of our
cities.—
The Review and Herald, April 4, 1899
.
[83]
Organized Protracted Effort—Sometimes a large number of
speakers attend a camp meeting for a few days; and just when the
interest of the people is beginning to be fully aroused, nearly all hurry
away to another meeting, leaving two or three speakers behind to strug-
gle against the depressing influence of the tearing down and removal
of all the family tents.
How much better it would be in many cases, if the meetings were
continued for a longer time; if persons would come from each church,
prepared to remain a month or longer, helping in the meetings, and
learning how to labor acceptably. Then they could carry a valuable
experience to their churches when they return home. How much better
if some of the same speakers who arouse the interest of the people
during the largest attendance at the meeting would remain to follow
up the work begun, by a thoroughly organized protracted effort.—
The
Review and Herald, April 4, 1899
.
Leaving the Harvest Ungarnered—It would be better, and ac-
complish more good, if there were fewer tent meetings, and a stronger
force, or company, with different gifts to labor. Then there should be
a longer tarry in a place where an interest is awakened. [
Note.—The
tent meeting when this was written was of only a few days’ duration.—
Compiler.
] There has been too much haste in taking down the tent.
Some begin to be favorably impressed, and there is need that perse-