The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-08-17
Martba's Grove Camp Meeting.

SkCoND Ohh'
1t is surprising to see what an affinity rain
has for camp meetings The sun looked down
upon us two or three times this forenoon, and
we began to chuckle thinking that the supply
of water up yonder had given out at last. We
were disappointed, however. Late this after
noon, the rains descended and the floods came,
and there is every appearance that they are 60
ing to stay. But in spite of clouds and rain,
theutmost good humor prevails. There isn't
cross man in the encampment If you would
witness the enthusiasm of some of these wor-
shippers, you would almost imagine them be-
yond these gloomy clouds, in the regions of per-
petual sunlight. This afternoon an elderly
gentleman arose in the presence of large an
dience, and uplifting both his arms-while his
eyes had that peculiar glitter which bespeaks
the very extacy of delight-excaimed: "Isn't
this sweet! Glory to Godp' 1t is but just to
say that this gentleman did not refer to the
weather, but to the prevailing enthusiasm.
THIRD DAY.
All the carriages that make regular trips to
the camp-ground were. heavily loaded this
morning. The morning service at the stand
commenced little after tan o'clock. Rev.
Noah Hobart preached sermon in which he
made plea for Christian heroism. He re-
viewed, somewhat humorously, the achieve
ments of Sampson, Gideon David and others
will quote two or three characteristic re-
marks: "We must be courteous, brethren and
sisters very courteous, but we must covet earn
estly the best gifts" "When the Jews were
in the desert, they kept telling God that he
was not leading them to the promised land by
the shortest route, but they couldn't make God
believe it." Speaking of the exploits of the
old Jewish wnrriors, he exclaimed, as he rolled
his eyes and folded his arms, ooh, it makes me
comfortable now to think of them~ At the
close of the sermon the audience seemed to be
in very happy frame Of mind. Several cler-
gymen related their experiences. Ono brother
remarked: "The Lord makes one cry and
another laugh" whereupon brother behind
him shouted. can laugh, thank Godr'
One oclock.-Fine singing in every part of
the camp. 1t is to be regretted that that the
fervency and haste of some of these prayer
meeting speakers furnishes irreverent persons
so much amusement. An old gentleman re-
lating his experience with great volubility, just
now shouted: "Fifty-four years ago 1 found
the Lord, on his knees, in my old back kitch-
en-" He should have framed his sentence diff
ferently. He meant to say con my knees"
Rev. MI. Blackman of Kennebunk, preached
this afternoon. His sermon was full of en-
couragement to Christians. ''Men must never
wait until they can preach like Bishop Simpson
or Henry Ward Beecher,'' said, he. At the
mention of Beecher's name half dozen peo-
rNla oh rto1 D.. IL.
mond spoke eloquently.
Half-past three o'clocd.-The Rev. Mr.. Luce
is leading social meeting.
The service of Thursday evening at the stand
was the first of the kind that has been held in
the evening. Rev Isaac Lord preached with
his usual power and warmth to an attentive
audience. Our inevitable shower made its ap:
pearance before the service was finished, but it
soon passsd away, and before ten o'clock the
moon was shining brightly. The camp was
Illuminated by several fires. Prayer-meetngs
and assemblies for singing, just before and af-
ter the regular services, are well attended and
well sustained. Some fears have been felt that
rum-sellers and disorderly persons in the woods
would annoy worshipers, but thus far the best
OF order has prevailed, and policemen have very
little to do. TheI neat and attractive appear
ance of many of the tents is very noticeable.
People from Portland seem to be ahead of all
others in respect to their appliances for COM
fort The wooden floors, double roofs and sub
stantial walls of their tents protect them from
the most powerful rains One almost wishes
himself a Portland Methodist when he
looks into these coy tents and sees the people
seated at their dinner tables.
Mr. Sanderson's manner of managing the
meetings is admirable. Every day at the ap-
pointed hours of service at the stand, he takes
his place, bell in hand, within the railing, and
calls up the people, as much by his pleasantly
and cheerful countenance, as by the sound of
the bell
Thursday afternoon he raised laugh by
shouting, that's the first time ever saw a
man spreading hay in meeting" as he saw
somebody opening pile of damp hay, which
had probably been his bed the night before.
FOURTH DAY-FRIDAY.
Social meeting at the stand conducted by
Rev. John Cobb, this morning A sermon was
also preached by Rev. Mr.. Hannaburgh, of the
Pine street church. 1t was a well composed
and scholarly discourse. He related a part of
his own experience with good effect
Dinner has magical effect upon the people.
Immediately after this meal they betake
themselves to singing, praying and exhorting
To-day miss the voice of one gentleman
who has been very prominent actor in these
scenes. He has reminded me all along, of
Daniel Pratt, the Great American Traveller.
He evidently came to camp-meeting with his
amens and hallelujahs all cut and dried, for he
has been throwing them in without the slightest
regard for propriety. 1t is said that last year
he came to camp-meeting after his wife and
children had died, saying to his friends ''My
wife and children are dead-glory to Godp'
Mr.. Sanderson was not greeted with the
usual shouts this afternoon when he announced
that collection would be taken up to defray
the expenses incurred in preparing the grounds
The people showed their generosity by Deeds
which are better than words.