The first Australian camp-meeting among us as a people is about to take place. This meeting will mark a new era in the history of the work of God in this field; it is important that every member of our churches should be present, and I urge you all to come. The enemies of truth are many, and though our numbers are few, we would present as good a front as possible. Individually you need the benefits of the meeting, and God calls upon you to number one in the ranks of truth.BEcho December 8, 1893, par. 3

I am afraid that some will say, “It is expensive to travel, and it would be better for me to save the money, and give it for the advancement of the work, where it is so much needed.” Do not reason in this way; for God calls upon you to take your place among the rank and file of his people. You are to be there in person, and to strengthen the meeting all you possibly can. Let no one say, “I will remain at home, and let some one else go;” for we want to see you, and the somebody else as well. Let no stay-away argument be used. We know that the believers in the truth are scattered widely; but make no excuse that will keep you from gaining every spiritual advantage possible. Come to the meeting, and bring your families. Put forth extra exertions, and be at the gathering of God's people.BEcho December 8, 1893, par. 4

Brethren and sisters, it would be better, far better, for you to let your business suffer than to neglect the opportunity to hear the message that God has for you at this time. You need every ray of light; for you are acquainted with the truth only in a measure, and need to become better qualified to give a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. Come with your Bibles in your hands. You cannot afford to lose one such privilege as you are now favoured with, and we entreat you not to disappoint us by staying away from the meeting. We look upon this time as a time when it is important for every one to come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty.BEcho December 8, 1893, par. 5

The forces of the enemies are strengthening, and as a people we are misrepresented; but shall we not gather our forces together, and come up to the feast of tabernacles? Let us not treat this matter as one of little importance, but let the army of the Lord be on the ground to represent the work and cause of God in Australia. Let no one plead an excuse at such a time. One of the reasons why we have appointed the camp-meeting to be held at Melbourne, is that we desire the people of that vicinity to become acquainted with our doctrines and works. We want them to know what we are, and what we believe. Let every one pray, and make God his trust. Those who are barricaded with prejudice must hear the warning message for this time. We must find our way to the hearts of the people. Therefore come to the camp-meeting, even though you have to make a sacrifice to do so, and the Lord will bless your efforts to honour his cause and advance his work.BEcho December 8, 1893, par. 6

The Lord has need of you. He does not do his work without the co-operation of the human agent. God's trodden-down law is to be uplifted; Christ and his righteousness are to be presented to souls that are perishing. The blindness, the spiritual blindness, upon the people today is greater even than it was in the days when Christ was upon earth in person. Let every one rally round the standard, and angels who are commissioned to minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation, will accompany you. Make every effort to get your friends to come, not in your place, but to come with you, to stand on the Lord's side, to obey his commands. At the best, our numbers will be but small; but come with a mind and will to work, and God will do great things for us. While we see the schemes that enemies are devising to shut away the light from the people, let the prayer go forth from unfeigned lips, “Hear, O our God; for we are despised.” “Think upon me, my God, for good.” “Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.”BEcho December 8, 1893, par. 7

We should use every power at our command to make this meeting a success, and suit it to the needs of those who shall attend. The work of the Lord is above every temporal interest, and we must not misrepresent his cause. Watching, waiting, working, must be our motto. There is no need of being faint-hearted and fearful; for nothing can harm us if the Lord God of hosts is with us. Every soul should wake out of sleep, and put on the whole armour of God.BEcho December 8, 1893, par. 8

God has committed to our hands a most sacred work, and we need to meet together to receive instruction as to what is personal religion and family piety; we need to understand what part we shall individually be called upon to act in the grand and important work of building up the cause and work of God in the earth, in vindicating God's holy law, and in lifting up the Saviour as “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” We need to receive the divine touch, that we may understand our work in the home. Parents need to understand how they may send forth from the sanctuary of the home, Christian children, trained and educated so that they shall be fitted to shine in the world. We need the Holy Spirit, in order that we may not misrepresent our faith. We need to understand in regard to the division of labour, and how each part is to be carried forward. Each one should understand the part he is to act, and there should be harmony of aim and execution in the combined work of all. Each one needs to concentrate his energies on the portion of the work he is required to build up, in order that no labour may be lost; that there be no jostling, no crossing of one another's paths. The labourers together with God must put forth consecrated tact, and do their utmost that there shall be no waste of energy or means. Each individual is to rejoice in the success of his brother-labourer, and realize that he himself is co-operating with heavenly agencies for the advancement of the cause of truth, which is under the generalship of Jesus Christ. “For ye are labourers together with God; ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.”BEcho December 8, 1893, par. 9

It is now fully time that an advance move was made in Australia. We shall have to meet every form of opposition, and every manner of hindrance; the history of the past will be repeated. It is not evidence of the truth of our cause that our enemies want; for they are filled with fierce opposition to the truth itself, because they cannot controvert it. There are enemies without who are organized to stop the work of God; but let us move forward with well-concentrated effort, and overcome every difficulty. We must reach the people where they are; for the reproach cast upon God's messengers must be counteracted, and it will be.BEcho December 8, 1893, par. 10

I urge you, therefore, for the truth's sake, for Christ's sake, to come up to this meeting. Elder Olsen and other helpers from America will be with us, and we want to have a heavenly sitting together in Christ Jesus. Thus a rich reward will come to the people. I beseech of you to respond to these words in person. Let there be a waking up among believers. Let each one be imbued with the spirit of the work, that, like Nehemiah, we may all possess holy energy, faith, and hope, and, depending wholly upon God, be able to strengthen one another in the great work committed to our hands.BEcho December 8, 1893, par. 11

Mrs. E. G. White

December 1, 1893

December 15, 1893