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CAMP-MEETING SERMONSTrad, from Syria, gave a short talk in behalf of Syria. Severalprospective missionaries attended the camp-meeting.The missionary services were very impressive, andundoubtedly inspired missionary zeal in many hearts, not only forthe sending of more workers, but also for the supplying of theworkers already in the field. A number of the missionaries remarkedthat they received but few letters from those in the home land, andurged that the brethren at home send them letters of encouragementmore frequently.The Ministers’ MeetingsFrom eight to nine o’clock every morning the Trumpet Homechapel was filled to overflowing with ministers and gospel workers,while some of the ministers gave good, wholesome advice andinstruction. These services were profitable to every one present.Three ordination-services were held, at which a number ofbrethren and sisters who had proved themselves worthy and capablewere ordained to the ministry by the laying on of hands and prayer.How the Pulpit Was ManagedTo many it is interesting to know how the pulpit of an assemblyof several thousand people and several hundred ministers can bemanaged without a program. The reason why no programs areneeded at camp-meetings of the saints is because they depend on theHoly Spirit to direct the preaching. Ministers who live in closecommunion with God and are in touch with the people so that theyknow their needs, have little difficulty in getting a profitable andtimely message. At this camp-meeting the ministers were repeatedlyinvited and urged to take an active part in preaching.4

CAMP-MEETING SERMONSIt often happens that a number of preachers feel the burden forthe same message, and that is why they can say amen as the messageis delivered. Sometimes it may happen that ministers differ in theiropinions as to what should be preached and who should preach in acertain meeting; but when these meet together for consultation andprayer, they have no difficulty in submitting to each other and indeciding the proper course to pursue. It is always well for those whofeel led to preach in a certain meeting to consult with the others whoalso feel led to preach, and this plan was followed at the Andersoncamp-meeting.In order that the many different ministers who felt led to preachmight be able to locate each other for consultation, it was deemedwell to appoint someone to be responsible for each of the differentservices, to see that they began and ended on time so as not toconflict with other meetings, and to see that somebody was ready topreach. He did not, however, appoint the preacher. Each ministerwas given due liberty to preach whenever he felt led of the Spirit.One was appointed to look after the morning worship, another afterministers’ meeting, another after the general morning service,another after the children’s meetings, etc. Accordingly, those whofelt led to preach in any particular service consulted with the one ingeneral charge, and thus all who felt similar leadings could gettogether. This simple plan worked well and gave each minister andworker the necessary freedom to do as the Spirit led him.No one had any inclination to manage the pulpit for personalinterests; in fact, no such thing would be permitted by acongregation who are spiritual. When, however, men who are undera wrong spirit or who are influenced by a wrong element seek thepulpit, there is, or should be, divine power and authority enough in5

CAMP-MEETING SERMONSthe ministry of the church of God to hold such in check and to keepthem from imposing improper sermons upon the audience.Baptismal and Ordinance-ServicesAlmost every afternoon baptismal services were held at the poolon the camp ground, so that those who had been saved during themeeting could offer themselves for baptism in fulfilment of thewords of Jesus, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizingthem in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the HolyGhost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I havecommanded thee.” Matt. 28:19, 20. In all, nine baptismal serviceswere held. Thirty-one persons were baptized at the last service anda goodly number at each of the other services—more than onehundred all told.On Saturday afternoon, after a short talk on the ordinance offeet-washing, the saints followed the example of Jesus and hisdisciples as recorded in John 13:14-17. While observing thisordinance, the sisters, who numbered probably more than athousand, occupied the large auditorium, and the brethren occupiedthe tabernacle-tent used for the German services. Afterward allreassembled in the auditorium and, after a short talk on theordinance of the Lord’s Supper, partook of the bread and wine.Prayer AnsweredIt is evident that the prayers offered during this meetingencircled the globe. For some time previous hundreds of requestswere received from every direction from those who could not attend,asking prayer for help from God. Requests were sent by telegraph,telephone, and mail. These were all remembered in prayer. In all,1,272 requests were received. Letters stating that the Lord had6

CAMP-MEETING SERMONSanswered prayer also came in before the meeting closed. Onewoman wrote that she had already received help according to herrequest—was healed of cancer. Others at their homes entered intothe agreement of prayer and were healed of various diseases.Devil Possessed DeliveredSome who were bound by the power of Satan and unable ofthemselves to get freedom came forward for prayer; and when handswere laid on and the prayer of faith offered they were loosed fromthe grasp of the enemy and enabled to obtain a satisfactoryexperience. One man who was possessed with evil spirits cameseveral hundred miles for help. When the evil spirits were rebuked,they caused the man to make strange manifestations, one being tobark like a dog. The devils had tormented him so that he had nopeace day nor night, but he was delivered and filled with the praisesof God.The Sick HealedJust before the meeting one old sister, who was so crippled withrheumatism that it was with great difficulty that she walked, appliedfor healing. As prayer was offered, she arose and walked. She said,“This is the first step that I have taken without my cane for a longtime” and started for the car with the cane under her arm. A day ortwo later she returned, leaving her cane at home and praising theLord for his healing power. Every day many persons applied for thehealing of their bodies, and were healed of sicknesses and diseasesof various kinds. Sister W. R. Bradshaw, of Beaver Falls, Pa., whohad been an invalid for over nine years, most of this time beingunable to walk, was brought in a wheel-chair. When prayer wasoffered for her she was enabled to arise and walk a short distance,7

CAMP-MEETING SERMONSand thereafter she walked back and forth from her tent to themeeting. No one will ever know the extent of the manifestation ofthe power of God in healing the sick and afflicted at the variousservices. We can here call attention to only a few cases. Manyapplied during altar-services and between meetings.One of the most powerful healing-services was held on the lastSunday afternoon in the German tent by Bro. E. E. Byrum, SisterDella Fry, and others. A large crowd assembled. At the same timeabout two thousand people were listening to the preaching of theWord in the auditorium and a large number were having the Wordexpounded to them in another part of the camp ground. At thehealing service these words of the prophet Isaiah were read: “He willcome and save you. Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, andthe ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leapas an hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing.” Reference wasmade to the time when Jesus opened the eyes of the blind andperformed the other wonderful works mentioned in the prophecy.The speaker related how, at that time, some who were blind werehealed instantly, and how one man came to Jesus and was made tosee “men as trees walking,” and afterwards came again and receivedperfect sight. Attention was also called to Heb. 13:8, which says,“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Theninstances were given of different persons who had been healed ofblindness during the past few years and during this series ofmeetings.One unsaved woman who had been to the altar, when prayedfor arose shouting the praises of God and declaring that she hadreceived her sight. The last that was heard of her, she was goingdown the street with both hands raised praising God for her sight.Bro. Geo. Petty, of Urbana, Ohio, was in this afternoon service.8

CAMP-MEETING SERMONSSeveral years ago he was a very wicked man and reckless. Hebecame convicted of his sins, but did not yield. He said that Godsmote him blind for three days. He then yielded his heart to God. Hehad felt for years, however, that the Lord desired him to preach thegospel; and after giving his heart to the Lord he not only felt his callto preach, but was shown just what to do and where his work wouldbe. In July of that year he promised God that if He would help himto pay a debt of several hundred dollars he would be obedient to thecall.The Lord prospered him so that by the middle of the followingDecember the debt was paid. Notwithstanding this, on the tenth ofJanuary he told the Lord that he could not or would not undertakethe responsibilities of the calling. That night he retired about teno’clock, and at half-past two in the morning he was awakened “stoneblind.” After this he thought that he had greater reason for not beingobedient, that is on account of his blindness, and he went deep intosin. A few months ago, however, he yielded himself to God anddetermined to do His will. He came to the camp-meeting blind, butexpecting to receive his sight. He was prayed for at one of the otherservices, and was able to recognize his wife and others for the firsttime in more than five years, and could give a description of a personnear him; but in this afternoon service he testified that he wasexpecting to have a further touch of healing power and be able toread the Word of God. Prayer was offered for him, and he testifiedthat he could see better, but we did not see him after that time norlearn the extent of the manifestation of the power of God in hisbehalf.Some who were afflicted with deafness received the healingtouch. One woman who had been troubled with deafness, was ableto hear a person talk in a low whisper. Another sister who had been9

CAMP-MEETING SERMONSable to hear only with great difficulty, received such a healing touchthat she could hear a (clock tick at some distance, which she had notdone for many years. Three crutches were shown from the pulpitfrom those who had been healed by the power of God and whoconsequently had no further use of them. In one of the other servicesHenry Hill, Reed City, Mich., who had been afflicted for eightmonths with paralysis and had with considerable difficulty beenhobbling about on crutches, yielded himself to the Lord and wassaved and at the same time healed of his paralysis. He threw awayhis crutches and was well soul and body.During the healing-services the question was asked, “Howmany in the congregation have been healed at any time by the powerof God?” Hands went up from all parts of the audience. Threepersons arose in testimony of having been healed of cancer. Onesister, who had been afflicted with a cancer extending almost aroundher body, testified that she was instantly healed when hands werelaid upon her and prayer offered, and that there was not a scar lefton her body. A lady from the city of Anderson who was sorelyafflicted with a large cancer was brought to the meeting by a trainednurse. The lady had never heard teaching on the subject of healing,but had learned of the manifestation of God’s power at the meeting.A number of people unacquainted with God’s power to heal cameto see her healed. While prayer was being offered, the nurseconstantly felt the patient’s pulse in order to witness the changeshould there be any. Soon the lady arose, went back and forth amongher friends, wedged her way through the crowd, said she wanted toshake hands with everybody, and seemed almost to forget that shehad been afflicted. Many who came to witness the healing cameforward that prayer might be offered in their behalf.The camp-meeting was a success from beginning to end.10

Pure ReligionIn the Chapel, Thursday evening, June 5By H. M. RiggleYou will find my text in Jas. 1:27: “Pure religion and undefiledbefore God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widowsin their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”The epistle of James is sometimes termed the practical epistle.It deals with personal experience. Many of the epistles are moredoctrinal. For example, Paul’s letter to the Romans is almost whollydoctrinal. It presents some of the most sublime doctrine containedin the New Testament. But the epistle of James deals not so muchwith doctrines as it does with practical everyday Christian life. It iscalled one of the pastoral epistles. It is also considered by scholarsto be the first written book of the New Testament. Its tone and styleof expression prove it to be a very ancient document.Two thoughts are expressed in my text: 1. What is the religionof the Bible. 2. What is the visible manifestation of this religion.The term religion is seldom used among us. When I was a boy,it was a common term. To be converted was to get religion. Todaythe term salvation has largely supplanted it, especially amongspiritual people. Salvation pertains more to the inward experience ofthe soul, while religion rather expresses the result of that experience11

CAMP-MEETING SERMONSin the outward life. Religion denotes the influence and life, thefeelings and acts of men, with respect to their relation to God. It is asystem of faith and worship. First, I will consider what is the religionof the Bible.“Pure Religion”Every possessor of salvation has pure religion. No one can havepure religion without salvation. Religion may be corrupted, andpeople may have many and various kinds of religion. Religion maybe pure or impure. This is implied in our text. But with reference tosalvation, there is but one kind. It can never be corrupted. All whopossess it have the same experience.The world is full of religions. The majority of the people of theearth today are zealous religionists. The eight hundred millionheathen in darkened lands have their religions. In enlightenednations will be found hundreds of religions, the Catholics,Lutherans, Methodist, Mormon, Amish, Dunkard, Baptist,Universalist, Unitarian, and others. All these religions differ fromeach other in many particulars. Yes, in all parts of the earth will befound religions.Religion is an effect. An effect so universal must have back ofit a cause as universal as the visible effect produced. The cause is,God made man a religious being, religious in his very nature. Thisaccounts for the religious zeal among all people of earth. But theworld is filled with many false and corrupt religions, yet in the midstof them all there stands out prominently one religion that is pure, thereligion of the Bible.12

CAMP-MEETING SERMONSPure in Its SourceThis religion is pure because the fountain and spring fromwhich it flows is pure. Religion, like a stream, is as pure as its sourceof supply. If the fountain is unclean, the stream will be unclean. Ifthe fountain is pure, the stream will be pure. Religion must be likeits source. All religions that emanated from an impure source mustbe impure religions. Take for example, the pagan religions of theworld. Why are they impure? I answer, because their source isimpure. They were conceived in the minds of unregenerate men. Thefounders of many of these religions lived low sensual lives. Thespirit of sensuality was infused into these religions by their founders,and the millions of poor devotees and worshipers partake of thissame spirit. This accounts for the low state of morals in heathenlands. The worshipers of any religion are in moral character like thereligion they embrace. And the religion is like its source.Mohammedanism is another demonstration of this fact. The vilecorrupting influence of this religion is seen i

The sermons preached at the Anderson, Indiana, camp -meeting, June 6-15, 1913, were of such great benefit to the several thousands who attended, that it has been deemed well to publish them in book-form. Thousands of people who for various reasons were unable to attend this wellknown meeting will be glad to read the- se sermons