March 28, 1899

The Queensland Camp-Meeting

EGW

The Brisbane camp-meeting was held in Woolloongabba, one of the southern suburbs of the city, about three miles from the general post-office. The camp was composed of thirty-three tents, and was situated on high, sloping ground, just far enough from the main thoroughfare to be free from the noise of passing carts and trams. Great economy had been exercised in fitting up the camp, yet everything was neat and orderly, and the entire camp presented a wholesome appearance. At night the large tent and the grounds were brilliantly lighted with electricity, and this added much to the pleasure of those attending the evening meetings.RH March 28, 1899, par. 1

When we arrived in Brisbane, we were met at the station by Brethren Daniells, Haskell, Wilson, and Palmer, and were taken in a cab to a comfortable house close to the meeting. The next day was Friday; and all were busy completing the preparation of the camp, and getting ready for the Sabbath. At the evening meeting the tent was well filled, eight or nine hundred being present.RH March 28, 1899, par. 2

Sabbath morning there was a good attendance at the Sabbath-school. At the forenoon service Elder Haskell spoke from the words, “We would see Jesus.” Like the Greeks who made this request, the people seemed deeply interested, and the discourse made a deep impression. In the afternoon I spoke about the call to the supper, recorded in Matthew 22. I made special reference to the man who came in without the wedding garment; and sought to arouse all to understand what would be the result if any are found without the wedding garment, the white linen, the robe of Christ's righteousness, provided by the King for all who are bidden to the supper. At an infinite cost to heaven, provision has been made for all, that they may receive grace and sanctification of the Spirit, and be numbered with the blood-washed throng. The wedding garment must be put on in this life. In this life we are to be clothed with the righteousness of Christ. In the evening, Elder Haskell spoke to a large congregation.RH March 28, 1899, par. 3

In the night I was instructed that in this meeting we must each one look to the Lord, and not to one another, saying, “What shall this man do?” Each one must seek the Lord earnestly to know for himself what he is to do in the service of the Lord. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.... Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”RH March 28, 1899, par. 4

It takes all kinds of timber fitly to frame this building, and Jesus Christ himself is to be the chief corner-stone, “in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth into an holy temple in the Lord.” This is the work to be done in our camp-meetings. We are to build together, not separately. We are to work unitedly. Every stick of timber is to find its place, that a united framework may be made,—a habitation of God through the Spirit. Let none of us strive to be first: for if we do this, the spirit of self will work until there is no room for the Spirit of God. Let no one climb up on the judgment-seat: for God has placed none of us there. Let no one indulge in evil-surmising. Let us all draw nigh to God. Let us learn of Christ, and wear his yoke. Our brethren and sisters are to understand that they all have a part in the work; and that their work is essential, according to their ability. “We are laborers together with God.” We must give to every man his place, because God has given to every man a work; and if any part of this work is neglected, a complete habitation for God is not built.RH March 28, 1899, par. 5

Sunday morning I attended the early meeting. There were about one hundred present. We realized that the Spirit of the Lord was present, as we made intercession for the people and the ministers, and especially for those in feeble health. In the testimony meeting which followed, we felt the subduing influence of the Lord. Nearly all were weeping. I spoke briefly, showing the necessity of each one seeking the Lord for himself. When our hearts are sanctified with the truth, they will be in unity with the heart of Christ. Says the apostle, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Are self-seeking and self-exaltation pressing their way into your soul? Contemplate Jesus, your Saviour. Think how he humbled himself. He who was commander in the heavenly courts laid aside his crown, his kingly robe, and clothed his divinity with humanity, that humanity might touch humanity, and divinity lay hold upon divinity. It was for the sake of fallen man that he humbled himself.RH March 28, 1899, par. 6

Some of those present had been standing in their own light. Some had been quick to discover the evil, and to talk of the evil in their brethren; but the good which they had seen in the lives of their brethren, they had not commended. Thus they grieved the heart of Christ, and placed their own souls in jeopardy. It is the will of God that we humble ourselves before him. Let us follow the example of him who humbled himself for us, that we may be uplifted. Thus we shall reveal that we appreciate the sacrifice made in our behalf. “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Then “when the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.”RH March 28, 1899, par. 7

We may learn precious lessons in Christian experience by a study of Jacob's repentance and his wrestling with the angel. Jacob knew his peril. He knew that without the protection of God, he would be helpless before his enemy. He did all in his power to atone for his past transgressions; and then in humiliation and repentance, pleaded for divine protection. With cries and tears he made his supplication to God; and when the strong hand of the angel was laid upon him, he wrestled with all the energy of his being. Jacob put forth all his strength, supposing that he was wrestling with a lawless opponent; but when the Lord put his finger with a divine touch upon Jacob, the wrestling ceased. When Jacob knew that it was the Lord, he fell upon the neck of the angel, and held him, pleading, “Bless me, even me.” When the angel said, “Let me go, for the day breaketh,” Jacob said, “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.” Then his name was changed, to correspond to the change in his character; for the angel said, “Thy name shall be called no more Jacob [supplanter] but Israel; for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.”RH March 28, 1899, par. 8

Let us seek the Lord with all the heart. Let us have faith in God. Let us cultivate a prayerful frame of mind. Let us educate the tongue to speak right words,—words that will encourage and strengthen our fellow men. Let us talk of goodness, and mercy, and the love of God. Put away all unbelieving words, and all that is cheap and common. Then the angels of the Lord will be with us, and the peace of God will fill the soul. Following these remarks, many excellent testimonies were borne, and the melting love of God was manifest among those assembled.RH March 28, 1899, par. 9

In the forenoon, Elder Daniells spoke to a good audience. In the afternoon the tent was full, and many who could not enter stood outside, while I spoke for over an hour on the subject of Christian temperance. In the evening, Elder Haskell spoke on the prophecies of Daniel, making the matter so clear that all could understand the prophecy.RH March 28, 1899, par. 10

On Friday morning we listened to the wants of the cause as they were presented by Brethren Haskell, Daniells, Semmens, and W. C. White. All about us are fields white unto the harvest; and we all feel an intense desire that these fields shall be entered, and that the standard of truth shall be raised in every city and village. As we study the vastness of the work, and the urgency of entering these fields without delay, we see that hundreds of workers are needed where there are now but two or three, and that we must lose no time in building up those institutions where workers are to be educated and trained.RH March 28, 1899, par. 11

Those speaking for the Avondale school said that during the first year of the workings of that school, with an attendance of sixty students, there were about thirty who were over sixteen years of age; and from this number, ten were employed during the vacation in various branches of our religious work. During the second year there were one hundred in attendance, and from among fifty who were over sixteen years of age, definite work was found for thirty-two during the vacation. Twenty-five of these were employed by the Conferences and societies in religious work.RH March 28, 1899, par. 12

From the first, the managers of the school have struggled amid financial difficulties to provide adequate buildings for the work. Each year the buildings provided have been crowded to overflowing, and with the present prospect that the number of students next year would be much increased, they felt that it was an imperative duty to undertake at once to erect the college hall, to cost about seven hundred and fifty pounds, two cottages for teachers, and a carpenter shop, which would bring the expense for buildings up to one thousand pounds.RH March 28, 1899, par. 13

Those who spoke for the Summer Hill Sanitarium said that this institution had received but little aid from our people in the way of gifts, and that the progress of the work had been slow at the first for the want of facilities with which to work. But amid difficulties its work had grown from the employment of two nurses, at the beginning, to the employment of two physicians, five certificated nurses, six nurses in training, and four other helpers. The earnings had increased from about three hundred pounds the first year to five hundred pounds a quarter. With its present facilities, the effort to train workers is hampered, and the expenses for labor are nearly as much as would be needed to do twice the work if we had larger bath-rooms. By the greatest economy, something has been saved from the earnings of the institution during the last year, but this has all been required to buy furniture, and to pay some of the losses of the first year; therefore the sanitarium has not the means with which to build new bath-rooms, and it appeals to our people to raise five hundred pounds to build and equip a good set of bath-rooms. This will enable the institution to do better work for its patients, to increase its patronage without increasing its running expenses, and to do twice as much as it is now doing in the training of workers, who may afterward go out to establish medical missions in the large cities of all the colonies.RH March 28, 1899, par. 14

Those who spoke for the health food business pointed out the great need of our having proper foods to place in the hands of those who resolve to give up the use of flesh-foods, and who do not know what to use in the place of meat. They also explained that the location of the food factory at Cooranbong would enable the managers to employ students in the work, and thus strengthen our united educational effort. For this work, five hundred pounds was needed to give the work a start. The loss to our cause will be great if the work is delayed.RH March 28, 1899, par. 15

The Australasian Union Conference recognized the school, the sanitarium, and the food factory as three agencies working in harmony for the education and training of home and foreign missionaries, who should go forth prepared to minister to the physical, mental, and moral needs of their fellow men. We all feel that the work is urgent. There is no part that can wait. All must advance without delay. In view of this, appeals have been made to our people in all the colonies to raise two thousand pounds for the erection of the necessary buildings this summer.RH March 28, 1899, par. 16

When the matter was fairly before them, our Queensland brethren and sisters took hold to do their very best; and before the camp-meeting closed, those present had pledged one hundred and twenty-five pounds toward the fund. Thus they set a noble example to their brethren who did not attend the meeting, and to the churches in the other colonies.RH March 28, 1899, par. 17

At the forenoon meeting on Sabbath, Brother Jesse Pallant was ordained to the gospel ministry. It cheers our hearts to see the young men of these colonies developing in experience, and being consecrated to this holy ministry. In the early morning meeting, the Lord gave me a testimony for the people regarding cheerfulness. We are to cultivate joy and cheerfulness, and thus represent the Lord Jesus Christ. He does not want his people to be mourning and complaining. He would have them talk of his love, their hearts full of hope and courage, their words expressing joy and gladness, their lives revealing the joy of their Saviour. In the afternoon I spoke to a large audience; and when I called forward those who wished to give themselves to the Lord in solemn covenant, fourteen responded, and we had a season of prayer with them.RH March 28, 1899, par. 18

On Sunday, the camp-ground was thronged with the interested and the curious. It was a busy day for all the workers. All felt that this was a special opportunity for earnest labor; so they mingled with the throng of visitors, conversing, answering questions, reading and explaining the Scriptures, distributing papers and tracts, and taking the addresses of those most interested.RH March 28, 1899, par. 19

All through the meeting the public interest steadily increased. Our own people were greatly blessed; and their hungry interest to catch every word of truth encouraged the speakers, and drew from them their richest treasures of knowledge and experience. From all parts of Brisbane the people came daily, and every evening the large tent was well filled. The daily papers gave friendly and intelligent reports of the meetings, and the electric tram-cars carried large calico signs, calling attention to the camp-meeting. This, which we had looked forward to as a very small meeting, has proved to be one of the most interesting and profitable camp-meetings held in Australia.RH March 28, 1899, par. 20