The Portland daily press., 1872-08-27
Empire Grove Camp Meeting,

~AuS' ~ AOs~'
SATURDAYS EXERCISES.
To the Editor of the Press:
Another pleasant day and another goodly
company. Gov. Perham, Rev. DR.. Teffts, Rev.
John Allen-"Camp meeting John" as he is
familiarly known were among the disting uish-
ed individuals present to-day.
This forenoon we listened to very eloquent
sermon from Rev. Mr.. Jones of Gardiner, from
the words "Ceme unto me and will 'give you
rest''-Matthew II 2S. His style of preaching
will bear imitation by preachers generally
earnest, candid and convincing, without the
usual sensational elements In the afternoon
the communion service took the place of the
usual sermon, after which there were remarks
from several preachers present, some of which
were very impressive and appropriate.
In the evening, as l write very lively social
meeting is in progress, many of the laity tax
ing part. Services of the evening are being
conducted by Rev. Mr.. Clark, of lewiston The
meeting will close at an early hour on Monday
morning. Thus far the attendance has been
below the avera ge for the place, though there
has been pretty full meeting for two days.
The seats which are sufficient to accommodate
three thousand have not been filled at any one
time. a.ii
The unpleasant weather had marked influ-
ence in reducing the attendance, but am told
that the spiritual interest far exceeds that of
any meeting ever held in this grove before. A
chldren's meeting was held this afternoon in
the tent of the Park street, Lewiston, society,
which was one of the most interesting Incl
dents of the week. Quite a large number of
children were present. The exercises were I'M
der the direction of Miss Perkins, of Mechanic
Falls, who is highly praised by all who Witness
ed them. .t1f tt
4- SUNDAYS ExERCIsEs.
Sundays services opened with a Love Feast
at o'clock, which continued for an hour and
half, during which time about $50 spoke Those
who witnessed the exercises speak of them as
very interesting. Rev. MI. Atkinson preached
in the forenoon from LIST Peter, 81. The choir
OF the East Poland M. E. Church, assisted by
Prof. W. W. Davis of Boston, took part in the
services Mr.. Atkinson's sermon was not up
to the standard of the discourses usually listen
ed to by the large audiences that have hereto
fore been present on this camp ground on Sat-
urdays, and was not up to the expectations of
the congregation. of
In the afternoon Rev. Mr.. Jackson of Boston,
preached from the 1O3d Psalm, 18th to 22d YER
ses, inclusive. His sermon, which was well
prepared, was of the revival order, highly SEN
sational and intended to excite his hearers. For
some reason he failed to awaken SO great an in
terest as the energy of the effort seemed to an
ticpate, and he vainly urged his brother preach
ers to 60 out among the audience and bring in
those who felt any inclination to seek religion.
Two preachers however did obey, and with
great deal of effort succeeded in bringing in
few young girls and perhaps half dozen adults
making in all about ten. The time for a sue
cessful employment of these extraordinary
means of winning souls to Christ has evidently
gone by. / noticed in particular special effort
on the part of one minister who in his zeal
went beyond the bounds of good judgment, in
urging lady who had become separated from
her husband in the crowd to come forward.
He mstook her embarrassment at being made
the object of so much notice. for unusual seri-
business and his importantly elected many ex-
presslons OF displeasure, and even Indignation
from some of our best citizens who witnessed
the scene.
In the evening Rev. DR.. Tefft gave very in
account of his own early history DR.
L. is polished speaker, and in every sense a
gentleman, and his discourse was characteristic
Of the man. The Methodist denomination need
more such men as DR.. Tefft
By the close of the evening service the crowd
had nearly all disappeared, and only a few.
were left to take part in the So
cial meetings which followed. As whole the
meeting has been thinly attended, and finan-
eially has not been successful. OF the more
important results cannot speak. There is no
reason why good meeting should not be held
here every year, as the grounds are well arrang-
I'd and the conveniences are in every way ample. |
This year the weather has been unfavorable, |
ind some object to the admission fee for teams, |
both of which causes have tended to reduce the |
attendance.
CLOSING EXERCISES.
The meeting finally closed at an early hour
Monday morning, and nearly all the sojourners
lave left for their homes. Some who own pri-
ate tents will remain on the ground for few
lays, but the society tent will probably be
truck to-day. MMoT.
AS sample of the Liberal capital used in
ther States, gentleman furnishes us the
blowing extract from the Albany Knicker-
ocker of August 20: prussia.
"Quite number of prominent Republicans
ave come out for Greeley. General Chamber
ain, who led the desperate charge of his brig
de, june Is, 1864, and who has been Governor
luce the war, is a Liberal. Ex-Congressmen
Iorrill and Pike Col. j. F. Godfrey command
r Grand Army of Republic of Maine; j. S.
ike, ex-minster to Hague; A d. Munson. ex-
Iayor of Bangor; two sons of the late Senator
'ortland, and Putnam, ex-Mayor all we'll