“We are glad to announce to our people,” wrote Elder A. G. Daniells late in September, 1893, to the brethren and sisters throughout Australia, “that the time has come when the executive committee of the Conference see their way clear to carry out the wishes of so many to hold a camp meeting.” Some had been waiting eagerly for such an announcement, and it came as welcome news to the rank and file of the believers scattered far and wide through the Australian colonies.
(LS 344.1)
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Among the general laborers advertised to attend were Elder O. A. Olsen, president of the General Conference; Mrs. Ellen G. White; and some brethren whom the Mission Board were sending over from America to supplement the small force of workers in the Australian field. The promise of ample help led Elder Daniells to add to his appeal the words, “This will be a rare occasion,—one which we may not have again for years,—and we truly hope that but few of our people will be denied the privilege of being present.” —The Bible Echo, October 1, 1893, 320.
(LS 344.2)
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Much faith was required to plan for a general camp meeting to which the brethren and sisters from all the colonies should be invited to come. The traveling expenses alone seemed almost prohibitive because of the great distances to be traversed. But the need of getting together was imperative, and therefore the believers were urged strongly to attend. “This meeting,” Mrs. White declared, “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.”
(LS 344.3)
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“I am afraid that some will say,” she continued, “‘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.... 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....”
(LS 345.1)
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“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....”
(LS 345.2)
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“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.’John 1:29. 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.... It is now fully time that an advance move was made in Australia.... Let us move forward with well concentrated effort, and overcome every difficulty.” —The Bible Echo, December 8, 1893.
(LS 345.3)
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Thirty-five family tents were manufactured by some of the brethren, in advance, for the Conference. It was thought that these would meet all requirements. But as the orders came rolling in, more tents were purchased, and others were hired for the meeting. When completed, the camp had over one hundred tents, and five hundred and eleven people. The grounds were well laid out and faithfully cared for. Many of the tents were furnished with bedsteads, tables, chairs, and bureaus; and the whole camp was a model of cleanliness and good order.
(LS 346.1)
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“We felt that the eye of God was upon all our arrangements,” Mrs. White wrote when referring afterward to these painstaking efforts to make the grounds appear attractive and inviting; “and in the order of our camp we sought to show forth the praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.”1 Peter 2:9. The results attained were much greater than the toilers had dared expect. “The encampment made the impression upon those who visited it,” Mrs. White wrote further, “that the truth we advocated was of great importance, that the missionary spirit is the true spirit of the gospel.”
(LS 346.2)
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“This was the first camp meeting that Melbourne had seen, and it was a marvel of wonders to the people. Far and near the sound went out concerning this city of tents, and a most wonderful interest was awakened. Every afternoon and evening the tent was filled to its utmost capacity, not with a cheap order of society, but with people of intelligence, physicians of note, ministers, and business men. We saw that with the blessing of God this camp meeting would do more to bring our work before the people than years of labor could possibly do.”
(LS 346.3)
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