Camp-meeting work for young people, as regards time, divides itself into three parts: 1 The work preliminary to camp-meeting; 2 the work during the meeting; 3 the work following it. No. 2 again subdivides into three parts, as regards those to be reached: (a) The children, (b) the young people, and (c) the parents. The middle class in this group, as regards methods by which they are reached, divide into three groups,—those reached by prayer bands, public meetings, and personal efforts.GCB June 4, 1909, page 318.16

Preliminary WorkGCB June 4, 1909, page 318.17

About three months before the date of our last camp-meeting, we wrote to some of the most consecrated and tactful young people in our churches, urging them to attend the meeting, and to pray for the success of the young people’s work during the session. When we found, by this correspondence and some personal visits, who would surely be there, we chose twelve young persons as leaders for prayer bands, and notified them of the fact, and outlined the work we wished them to do. Most of them complied with our request to be on the grounds the first day.GCB June 4, 1909, page 318.18

During Camp-MeetingGCB June 4, 1909, page 319.1

As fast as these leaders came on the ground, we asked them to note the young people as they arrived, and do everything in their power to make them feel at home, and make them feel that some one had a personal interest in them. These leaders did noble work in this direction.GCB June 4, 1909, page 319.2

At the close of our first public meeting we made a call for those to stay who would enjoy meeting in small prayer bands daily for study, and to do personal work for the young people on the grounds. Twenty-five or thirty from an audience of about one hundred and fifty stayed. Elder Warren then gave a short talk on what is included in personal work, and the necessary elements to make it successful. At the close of his talk the meeting was dismissed, and according to previous arrangements, our band leaders got right around among the young people who had stayed to this after-meeting, and each one of the leaders invited two or three into a prayer band, and made appointments when they could meet.GCB June 4, 1909, page 319.3

These bands were very small to begin with, but they increased in size during the meeting, as the efforts of the members brought new ones into closer relation with God. The camp was not districted for personal work, but the young people made a complete directory of the camp, going over the ground three times during the meeting; and by the leaders of the prayer bands making use of this list, and making special efforts to reach each one with whom they were in any way acquainted, nearly every person was reached in a personal way.GCB June 4, 1909, page 319.4

The leaders of these prayer bands met several times during the meeting to plan for making their work more effective, and about midway in the session some of the young men, feeling the need for a deeper work than they were doing, planned for special meetings at five in the morning just preceding the morning meeting for young people.GCB June 4, 1909, page 319.5

We were fortunate in having a tent that was used for no other services but young people’s meetings, and we had a large sign on the tent proclaiming the fact, and also the time of the daily meetings. We also had large mottoes printed to hang up in the tent. On a banner about forty feet long was printed the aim and object of the young people’s movement; other mottoes during the meetings were also attractively displayed.GCB June 4, 1909, page 319.6

Two meetings were held daily,—one meeting principally devotional in the morning, and the other inspirational, in the afternoon. Only once was the young people’s meeting omitted. In one or two instances we requested the General Conference men who had special themes in mind to repeat their talks to the young people. Much close work was done in the services, and in the afternoon meetings, when an especial attempt was made to gather in every young person in the camp, we tried to keep a continuity of thought in discourses presented. For these services only two or three speakers were used during the entire session.GCB June 4, 1909, page 319.7

I believe that more stress might well be laid upon parents’ meetings as one feature of young people’s work. The main part that the young people’s secretary would have to perform in these meetings would be to arrange the programs, and secure speakers who understand their subjects, and can reach the parents’ hearts.GCB June 4, 1909, page 319.8

Following Up WorkGCB June 4, 1909, page 319.9

After the harvest of souls has been gathered in, and the young converts return to their homes to meet the renewed temptations of the evil one, and the sordid cares of every-day life,—this is the Missionary Volunteer secretary’s supreme opportunity to bind these young people close to the Lord and to his work. The name, age, and address of each young person baptized should of course be in the possession of the secretary, and correspondence should at once be taken up with the elders of the churches to which they should belong, that the new converts may be gathered into the fold before their experience begins to wane, and that they may be taken in to share the responsibilities as well as the privileges of church-membership. The young people’s secretary who is not in close and sympathetic touch with every church elder in the conference is losing one of the largest factors that will make his work successful. By thus urging the elders to make efforts to have the young people converted at camp-meeting received as members, and also urging the young people to stand fast in the faith, and present themselves for membership, and writing an encouraging letter to them from time to time, they may be gradually led along until they are firmly established on a good foundation of Christian principle.GCB June 4, 1909, page 319.10

Last year at our camp-meeting near the young people’s tent we had two family tents pitched and fitted up as comfortably as possible. One of these was marked Young Men’s Rest Tent, and the other, Young Women’s Rest Tent. Late copies of our periodicals, a few books, writing-material, etc., were here, and our young people were asked to make free use of these tents. We endeavored to arrange so that some of the leaders of the prayer bands should be at these tents all the time during the day, at least between meetings, to meet the young people who came. Many quiet talks and seasons of prayer were held in these tents with telling effect.GCB June 4, 1909, page 319.11

All the meetings should begin promptly at the appointed hour, whether the attendance be small or large, and every detail should be arranged beforehand, so that things will pass off smoothly. There is nothing more destructive to the serious influence of a meeting than to have the leader rushing around after most of the congregation arrive, completing arrangements for the program. The Lord’s work is serious and earnest, and when we go to a service, we go to meet with the Lord. Due consideration therefore should be given to this fact before the time arrives, and everything should be as quiet and well-arranged as possible.GCB June 4, 1909, page 319.12

The camp-meeting season is indeed the harvest time of the young people’s secretary. Then, to the pleasure of personally meeting with friends from all over the conference, is added the inspiration that comes from a large number of enthusiastic young persons seeking a common end. May the Lord help us to make the camp-meeting season just opening before us the most joyous and extensive ingathering of souls that we have ever witnessed.GCB June 4, 1909, page 319.13

The Sermon - GOD’S PROPHETIC PURPOSES

Missionary Talks - EXPERIENCES IN EASTERN POLYNESIA