to win souls. Oh, that Christ’s workers would show one half as
much vigilance as does Satan, who is always on the track of human
beings, always wide awake, watching to lay some gin or snare for
[47] their destruction.
Let every succeeding day be made the most important day of
labor. That day, that evening, may be the only opportunity which
some soul may have to hear the warning message. Keep this ever in
mind.
When ministers allow themselves to be called away from their
work to visit the churches, not only do they exhaust their physical
strength, but they rob themselves of the time needed for study and
prayer and for silence before God in self-examination. Thus they
are unfitted to do the work when and where it should be done.
There is nothing more needed in the work than the practical
results of communion with God. We should show by our daily lives
that we have peace and rest in God. His peace in the heart will shine
forth in the countenance. It will give to the voice a persuasive power.
Communion with God will impart a moral elevation to the character
and to the entire course of action. Men will take knowledge of us, as
of the first disciples, that we have been with Jesus. This will impart
to the minister’s labors a power even greater than that which comes
from the influence of his preaching. Of this power he must not allow
himself to be deprived. Communion with God through prayer and
the study of His word must not be neglected, for here is the source
of his strength. No work for the church should take precedence of
this.
We have too slight a hold upon God and upon eternal realities. If
men will walk with God, He will hide them in the cleft of the Rock.
Thus hidden, they can see God, even as Moses saw Him. With the
power and light that God imparts, they can comprehend more and
accomplish more than they had before deemed possible.
Camp Meeting 45
More ability, tact, and wisdom are needed in presenting the word
and feeding the flock of God than many suppose. A dry, lifeless [48]
presentation of the truth belittles the most sacred message that God
has given to men.
Those who teach the word must themselves live in hourly contact,
in conscious, living communion with God. The principles of truth
and righteousness and mercy must be within them. They must draw
from the Fountain of all wisdom moral and intellectual power. Their
hearts must be alive with the deep movings of the Spirit of God.
The source of all power is limitless; and if in your great need
you seek for the Holy Spirit to work upon your own soul, if you shut
yourself in with God, be assured that you will not come before the
people dry and spiritless. Praying much and beholding Jesus, you
will cease to exalt self. If you patiently exercise faith, trusting God
implicitly, you will recognize the voice of Jesus saying: “Come up
higher.”
All to BeWorkers
“And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the
saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of
Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge
of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature
of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13.
This scripture presents a large program of work that may be
brought into our camp meetings. All these gifts are to be in exercise.
Every faithful worker will minister for the perfecting of the saints.
Those who are in training for work in the cause in any line should
improve every opportunity to work at the camp meetings. Wherever
camp meetings are held, young men who have received an education
in medical lines should feel it their duty to act a part. They should be [49]
encouraged not only to work in medical lines, but also to speak upon
the points of present truth, giving the reason why we are Seventh-day
Adventists. These young men, if given an opportunity to work with
older ministers, will receive much help and blessing.
There is something for everyone to do. Every soul that believes
the truth is to stand in his lot and place, saying: “Here am I; send
46 Testimonies for the Church Volume 6
me.” Isaiah 6:8. By engaging in work at the camp meeting, all may
be learning how to work successfully in their home churches.
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.
Parents who come to camp meeting should take special heed to
the lessons given for their instruction. Then, in the home life, by precept
and example, let them impart these lessons to their children. As
they thus strive to save their children from the corrupting influences
of the world, they will see an improvement in their families.
The best help that ministers can give the members of our
churches is not sermonizing, but planning work for them. Give
each one something to do for others. Help all to see that as receivers
of the grace of Christ they are under obligation to work for Him. And
let all be taught how to work. Especially should those who are newly
come to the faith be educated to become laborers together with God.
If set to work, the despondent will soon forget their despondency;
the weak will become strong, the ignorant intelligent, and all will
[50] be prepared to present the truth as it is in Jesus. They will find an
unfailing helper in Him who has promised to save all that come unto
Him.
Prayer and Counsel
Those who labor at camp meetings should frequently engage
together in prayer and counsel, that they may labor intelligently. At
these meetings there are many things that demand attention. But the
ministers should take time to meet together for prayer and counsel
every day. You should know that all things are drawing in even lines,
“that you are standing,” as the words were spoken to me, “shoulder
to shoulder, marching right ahead, and not drawing off.” When the
work is carried on in this way, there is unity of heart, and there will
be harmony of action. This will be a wonderful means of bringing
the blessing of God upon the people.
Camp Meeting 47
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Before giving a discourse, ministers should take time to seek God
for wisdom and power. In earlier times the ministers would often go
away and pray together, and they would not cease until the Spirit of
God responded to their prayers. Then they would return from the