Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-08-10

tillment Of its promises, and the storm still
continues without abatement at this writing,
Saturday afternoon. The result has been to
place practical embargo on the plans of all
who expected to visit the ground to-day; and
while there has been no crowd from the out
side world, and no outdoor services, the in
terest in the social meetings in the tents has
been largely enhanced, and attention which
has heretofore been distracted by the novelty
or beauty of the surroundings has been more
completely directed towards the object for
which the meeting was appointed. Thus the
storm, which has disappointed many, has been
source of blessing to others.
| The grounds are in condition decidedly
uncomfortable for pedestrians, suggesting the
desirability of at least double plank walk
around the circle, extending, also, to the
| boarding tent, the tabernacle, and the depot
| Comparatively little discomfort has been ex-
perienced by those in the tents, while occu-
pants of the cottages have been as completely
protected as they would have been at home.
| Indeed, one gentleman was heard by your
correspondent to express the deepest sympa
| thy for the unfortunate citizens of Augusta,
who have to endure the storm with none Of
the redeeming features enjoyed by those
here, in the way Of religious privileges with
| out number.
| at the forenoon service not less than a
thousand people gathered in the tabernacle,
which afforded but partial protection from the
rain. After singing, the 18Th chapter of LIST
Corinthians was read, prayer was offered by
| the Rev. j. b. Lapham, and the 493d hymn
was sung. The Rev. NJ. S. Jones, Of Gardi-
ner, preached a comprehensive and forcible
sermon from the text -" Though l speak
with the tongues Of men and Of angels, and
| have not charity, l am become sounding
brass, or a tinkling cymbal."-l Cor, IL L.
Definitions as laid down in the word Of
God come in direct contradiction with our
preconceived ideas. Men who are great
through external circumstances are not great
in a scriptural sense. The bible holds out
but a single idea Of greatness, and that is
goodness. really great man has charac
ter formed in harmony with the revelation of
the divine being, bringing the daily life into
| loving obedience to the word of God. Wealth
has its influence and uses, but he who has
amassed wealth is not the great man in the
| gospel sense: man may store his mind with
worldly wisdom, covering the whole range of
| knowledge, and yet not be great as the BIZ
bic teaches; man may have great faith,
great generosity, or eloquence to arouse or
calm the passions Of men. and yet be as
IL
may possess all these things and still lack
the one thing neediul, how important that we
should fully understand what is essential to
insure good and useful life. The Apostle
has stated it in clear terms in the text. If we
have charity we are men, we are christians,
united to the divine, and in that union car
draw happiness for ourselves, and power to
disseminate joy among others. What is this
charity as laid down! 1t is long suffering,
when others seek to injure or annoy; it is
kind; it enyieth not, rejoicing rather in
the prosperity and blessings enjoyed by 9TH
ers vaunteth not itself, is not hasty in self
assertion; does not assume to be better than
its neighbors; is not easily fattered or puff
fed up; IN regarding man in the lowest NOR
al or social scale, hopeth all things for such
man; is not easily discouraged by difficult
ties, however formidable, but endureth all
things.
Charity is a perfect assimilation of our
moral nature to the image and law divine
Gods nature implanted in US, rendering per-
feet obedience to Him whose nature is love-
The necessity of being imbued with this prin
ciple is apparent. 1t must be enduring, else
we cannot have what God would have US en-
enjoy; cannot be what he would have US be-
cannot do what he would have US do. With
out this we cannot understand or appreciate
children. In some of his attributes as orea-
tor we must ever remain at an infinite dis
lance, but his moral nature we can have im-
planted in our souls. He commands us to
love him with all our might, mind and
strength; but how shall we obey? If we are
to know the existence of this love we must
feel it, to understand it we must enjoy it
Consciousness leads to thorough and definite
perception of the love divine. The physical
senses may be defective and are not to be
trusted, but through our inward conscious
ness we may understand it, and know the ma
ture and love of God. An unregenerate man
finds the teachings of the Bible distasteful;
but when saved by grace, the law becomes
just and holy. Where is the change? not in
Gods law but in the heart of the individual.
What can there be higher, hoier, or more de-
| sirable than to experience the transforming
influence which makes our natures like Gods
nature, imparting the principle of divine love
and charityT
ANNUAL MEETING.
An adjourned annual meeting of the Ken
nebec Valley Camp-Meeting Association was
held to day, ii. X. Baker, President, in the
chair. In the absence of the Treasurer, Rev.
+. ii. w. Smith, Auditor, made statement
concerning the finances. The receipts of last
year, exclusive of collection, were Sl,7l9. SO.
From the collection at that time, about $50
have been realized. The expenses for last
year, including improvements, were Sl,295,
leaving about $500 to apply towards the
liquidation of the debt, leaving still a balance
of about 81, 100 then due. The following Of
ficers were elected for the ensuing year;
President-F. A, Brick, Augusta.
Vice President-F. A. Williams, Skowhe
gan.
Secretary-E. r. Drummond, Waterville.
Treasurer. II. Sawtelle, Hallowell.
Auditor-C. M. Bailey, Winthrop.
Executive Committee-A. IL. Howard,
Kallowell; Orrin Williamson, Augusta; J.
b. Beedle, Richmond; C. w. Strout, Halo
well ID. w. Sawyer, Boothbay
The meeting adjourned 20 Monday, for the
purpose of considering the advisabiity of TAX
ing a collection by the State Association to
pay the expenses of the tabernacle, any bal
ance to be paid to the kennebec Valley Asso-
ciatiouaNeA
JuG, X. Baker, of Halow ell, declined
renon. .hHtion to the office of President.
Rev. f.. II. w. Smith, of Augusta, was elect
ed Treasurer, but declined.
Among the new members elected were the
| following citizens of Augusta Jacob Merrill,
/