Saturday, August 18, 2007

New (or old) camp idea?

Those who have read this blog know that I like the work of Doris Coffin Aldrich, writer for women and mothers who died in the late 1950s in a car accident. This summer on eBay I found another book she wrote of a different type, called The Firs of the Lord (written 1945), a history of a Christian camp and conference center in Washington state. This place was instrumental in the life of Isobel Kuhn and other members of Hudson Taylor's China Inland Mission, and I remember hearing it referred to in Kuhn's writings.

Here is the first part of the first chapter:

"It was quiet in the room as they sat there before the fire. The soft light shone on the faces of the young people nearest the hearth. Many were back in the shadows but all were one in their earnestness before the Lord.

"No one urged them to speak but first one and then another voiced the thought of his heart.
  • 'I never knew before what it meant to be a Christian. I want to accept the Lord as my Saviour tonight.'
  • 'The Lord has been so precious to me at this Conference. And as I go back to my work I'm going to live for Him more faithfully.'
  • 'My family aren't saved. And will you pray for me as I go home? I want to be a real witness for the Lord.'
  • 'Tonight I gave my life to the Lord for whatever He wants me to be or wherever He wants me to go.' . . .
"It seems as if the very walls of the room enfold and shelter the work of God being done there that night. And the great tall fir trees outside point to the heavens and the stars. . . .

"They close with a word of prayer and after saying 'good night' they go out, out through the fir trees and under the stars to their cabins or tents, there to dwell with thankfulness on that good work which the Lord has wrought in their hearts that night.

"They are not aware of how far-reaching will be the results of that meeting. But there are hundreds of young people who are in full-time service at home or abroad, who made their decision in that very room. A missionary here, a Christian worker there, a businessman, a busy mother, could all give testimony as to the blessing received through the Conference work at The Firs. And many have been born again in that firelit room and have gone away rejoicing in God their Saviour.

"The world draws its groups of young people together and with hilarity and excesses holds them. And what a contrast in this group, meeting together in the Name of the Lord! Young and old, little children and grown men, babes in Christ and stalwart Christians--all have been blessed and refreshed as they have gathered in His Name at the Firs."

The book in other places gives examples of how the conferences were set up.

My question is this: Would any of our Christian camps ever give consideration to having a conference where the emphasis is on extended time for personal communion with the Lord? Every one I've been to has been highly structured. What if a conference were billed as such:

"There will be a preaching/teaching service at 9:00 a.m. in the chapel of the camp. Attendees are then free to find a quiet spot anywhere on the campsite, or do as they please. The afternoon will be set aside for recreational time. In the evening the chapel will be open to all who wish to come for a time of unstructured singing and testimonies."

I think such would be well received. Then again, maybe our society--both Christian and at large--is so busy, busy, busy now (after all, this was in 1945) that people wouldn't know what to do at such a conference. But I suspect that what Christians need most is time for quietness and reflection, just to let the Lord speak to their hearts.

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