For decades, God has been using camp ministry to transform lives, and Hume New England is no exception. Since acquiring the Massachusetts campus in 2011, we have seen Him continue the work He has been doing there for generations. Among the rich history passed down to us is a collection of articles and stories that speak to God’s faithfulness at this camp through the years. In 1976, a longtime speaker at the camp, then known as New England Keswick, wrote about the powerful movement of the Lord in that place. His words echo the same faithfulness we’ve witnessed at Hume Lake and beyond—a reminder that no matter the location, when the Gospel is preached, lives are changed.
Written by Professor Earl H. Tschudy, who was the speaker at
New England Keswick for over 30 years. It was written in 1976:
My association with New England Keswick began on July 24, 1944. Rev. James Mallis, who had served as a missionary in India for a number of years and who was a friend of ours for some time, recommended me to Pop Courtney. He served as the maintenance man, and Mrs. Trout directed the Conference.
Each year since then through 1975, it has been my privilege to minister the Word of God there, sometimes for several weeks at a time. There was one exception, however, when in 1972 I became ill and had to be taken home.
I have seen God’s blessing on Keswick through the years in various ways. Some of the meetings that first year were held on the front lawn of Livingstone Hall. The remainder were conducted in a small one-room building that was taken down the following year to provide more space for Lambie Hall.
I shall never forget the zeal and enthusiasm displayed by the men missionary candidates of the Sudan Interior Mission as they helped in the construction. It was most impressive indeed. It was an outstanding privilege for me to work with and help to shape the outlook of young people who were destined to serve the Lord in the far flung mission fields of the world. Not many years later the construction of the Chapel was begun. Pop Courtney and Tom Lambie directed the work. Again the men missionary candidates were actively engaged in acquiring more experience that would stand them in good stead while on the mission field. As I recall it the Chapel was dedicated in the following year. It was filled with worshipers to overflowing. The dedicatory service proved to be a blessed time. One could not help but feel the awesomeness of the occasion, and to me it has been a hallowed place ever since.
In more recent years, it has been joyous indeed to witness the physical growth and improvements that have, in my estimation, made New England Keswick the finest Bible Conference Center in all of Western New England. I am praising the Lord for the God-given wisdom and discernment displayed by the Director Glenn Briggs and his faithful and reliable Board of Directors in the under-taking and in carrying on a work that humanly would have been utterly impossible.
I am not aware of a time when the ministry of the Word of God, or the policy of Keswick have been subjected to any compromise, or deviation from the inspired truth. Christ has been honored and exalted, souls have been saved, believers have been strengthened and edified in Him. My prayer is that it may continue that way, even until the Lord returns or takes His people Home into the Father’s House.
Space does not permit me to mention any of the numorous things that happened to me at various times. Keswick has meant much to me down through the years.
Many times I felt that I carried away more in the way of blessing than I had been able to lease with the Conference.
I have purposely kept the following note for the end of this report. During my first week in Keswick I was greatly impressed with something that has never left me. It was the practicality of prayer, and herein, I am sure, lies one of the reasons to
account for God’s continued blessing on Keswick. I learned it most obtrusively whenever it was possible for Pop to do so, he would invite me to accompany
him to Great Barrington, and elsewhere. When we would get part way down Chestnut Hill Road or on the Hill toward Monterey, he would stop the station wagon. He was never in too much of a hurry. We always took time for prayer. Time after time, we returned with heartfelt praise and thanksgiving to the Lord for His evident blessing upon us in prospering us on our journey. Prayer in every activity or pursuit in the progress of a day pays rich dividends.
May God bless you all, Earl H. Tschudy
