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Christian Service
Properly conducted, the camp-meeting is a school where pastors,
elders, and deacons can learn to do more perfect work for the Master.
It should be a school where the members of the church, old and young,
are given opportunity to learn the way of the Lord more perfectly, a
place where believers can receive an education that will help them to
help others.—
Testimonies for the Church 6:49
.
In connection with our camp-meetings in past years, God’s ser-
vants have improved many precious opportunities for instructing our
people in practical methods of presenting the saving truths of the third
angel’s message to their friends and acquaintances. Many have been
taught how to labor as self-supporting missionaries in their home com-
munities. Many have returned home from these annual gatherings,
to labor with greater zeal and intelligence than hitherto. It would be
pleasing to God if far more of this practical instruction were given
the church members who attend our camp-meetings, than has usually
been given in years past. Our general workers and our brethren and
sisters in every conference should remember that one of the objects
of our annual gatherings is that all may gain a knowledge of practical
methods of personal missionary work.—
Testimonies for the Church
9:81
.
In some of our conferences, the leaders have hesitated to introduce
these practical methods of instruction. Some are naturally inclined to
sermonize rather than to teach. But on such occasions as our annual
camp-meetings, we must never lose sight of the opportunities afforded
for teaching the believers how to do practical missionary work in the
place where they may live.—
Testimonies for the Church 9:82
.
Practical Demonstration of Missionary Methods
By engaging in work at the camp-meeting, all may be learning
how to work successfully in their home churches.—
Testimonies for
the Church 6:49
.
At some of our camp-meetings, strong companies of workers have
been organized to go out into the city and its suburbs to distribute
literature and invite people to the meetings. By this means hundreds
of persons were secured as regular attendants during the last half
[196]
of the meeting who otherwise might have thought little about it.—
Testimonies for the Church 6:36
.