The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-08-30

Elder, Rev. A. Sanderson, who by the way
makes most excellent presiding officer, sue
ceeded in abstracting from the pockets of the
crowd quite an amount of scrip. After the ex-
element of general disbursement was over,
the Rev. s. w. Wetherbee, of Saco, gave
clear, earnest discourse, one of the best of the
series. His text was from Heb. 1926 One
feature of these meetings is noticeable The
peculiar shade of the doctrine of Holiness
which was so emphatically taught at Richmond
last July is brought out at these district camp
meetings. Those preachers who have imbibed
the doctrine for themselves, feel it their pecu-
liar duty to present it in the sermons they may
preach. They quote the passages ordinarily
applied to the repenting sinner, and apply it
squarely to the Christian, who must. according
to their view, be born yet again before he can
be fully saved. Thus to one portion of the
audience the preacher who applies these
texts to the regenerate sinner seems to misap-
ply them, while the other portion of the hear
ers, who are not up to this new dodge in theolo-
gy, feel equally grieved at their misappcation
This seeming incongruity weakens very much
the effect of such discourses to every rejecting
mind, and will eventually lead to discomfort
and division in the Methodist Church. No one
can doubt but that there is higher Christian
life, a life of specification, but that second
birth spiritually is requisite to its attainment is
serious question. What we object to is the
apparent attempt on the part of the believers
of this doctrine to force it down the throat of
the ordinary Christian. The attendance has
been excellent, numbering at least 1000.
The scene along the road outside for quarter
of mile was picturesque. Carriages of every
description, and people of almost every age lin
ed the road on both sides. The crowd here
numbering from one to two thousand, while in
side the enclosure singing, praying, and exhor-
tation ruled the hour; without trading horses
selling whips and general good time prevail
ed One would take the crowd outside to be an
old-fashioned muster OF large picnic, where re-
ligious things were not thought of. And yet
everything was quiet and orderly Thursday
afternoon at a business meeting a committee
was raised to consider the advisability of re-
moving the location of the camp to some other
point along the line of the road 1t has been
for some time known that some dissatisfaction
existed among the churches to the present loca-
ton.
Tine characteristic qualities Of man are well
brought out at Camp-meetings. With so large
an audience, inspiration is given to the preach
er, and if he can ever do well, he will do it
here. Old men who are supposed to be slug
g1sh preachers at home, astonish their own
people by their vigor. originality and brilliancy
here. The young man will develope either his
native power or his initiative The highest
aim, as is proper, is to stir the mass of humani-
ty before him into an emotional outburst, and
the preacher who can best accomplish this is
the ablest preacher. This is really the true aim
OF all preaching, to convince through the feel
ings, rather than by way of the reason. Mr..
Hannaburg,of Portland, Wetherbee of Saco, are
able men, clear thinkers, but succeed in no
small degree in stirring the emotions
A large number of ladies and gentlemen
from this city were on the ground yesterday,
and one company appeared to picnic at meal
time in the most approved style.
The whole meeting thus far has proved prof
liable spiritually, and we doubt not will prove
to many soul a never to be forgotten season.
The prayer meetings in the early morning
and the daily devotions in the several tents, are
proving seasons of sweet refreshing. The sing
ing is excellent, as might be expected, though
not so congregational as it might be. The
tables at the boarding house are well supplied,
and all the culinary arrangements excellent
The prices are reasonable, $1.OO day.
The genuine Methodist knows how to eat as
we'll as sing, or pray. What they do, sthey do
from habit with VIM The Divine power is
present in the heart, of his people and many a
poor sinner whose diffidence prevents express
sion of feeling, secretly weeps in silence and
make as silent self conservation. The voice
to them is "still small one" J.
Taken all together these camp meetings are
stirring, freshenng and abiding in their results.