The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-08-13
The National Camp Meeting.
Orchard Beacl, and its Tents.

The twentieth national camp meeting opened
at the Orchard Beach camp ground yesterday
under the spiritual direction of the Rev. j. S.
Inskip. Since last year the grounds have been
greatlyEbeaut:fed and improved, and the spot
is now one of the most charming in New Eng
land. There are now fifty cottages, some Of
them very tastefully constructed, occupied by |
families Water has been introduced, the |
avenues have been graded, the auditorium and |
speaking stand made more convenient, and |
large platform, 30 feet by 600, built at the rail- |
way station
At an early hour yesterday morning there
were many people on the ground, and at ten
o'clock 1893 tents had been pitched. The fore
noon was devoted to the work of preparation,
and no service was held until afternoon.
Among the eminent pulpit orators who have
already arrived are the Rev. j, S. Inskip, pres
ident of the national association, the Rev.
VIM. Mcdonald editor of the 'Guide to Hol
iness," the Rev. w. Fl. Boole of the New York
mission schools, and the Rev. Alexander Nc
lean of New York. Already there are fore
runners of the vast attendance from all Sec
lions of the Union that is confidently expected.
Many societies from Massachusetts aid New
Hampshire have tents upon the grounds, and
family tents are to be seen occupied by people
from New York, Pennsylvania New jersey
Rhode Island and Massachusetts,. People
poured in all day yesterday, many coming
from the grounds Of the state association at
Richmond. 1t is thought that by ten o'clock
this morning three hundred tens will dot tho
ground Indications are strong that the gath
ering this week and next will bring together
more people than were ever yet assembled at
any one spot in Maine, Two CAMPS of the
Young Mems Christian Association, tne from
Portland and one from Biddeford, are to be
seen on the ground, something new at Netho-
| dist camp meetings.
! The Wisdom of the managers and the Orchard
| Beach Association in selecting the beautiful
| pine grove by the sea shore as the site fora
city of God is demonstrated by the issue. 1t
| is already the fayorte camping ground of the
Methodsts of Maine, and has every promise of
taking the leading place in the affections OF
the denomination throughout New England.
The beauty of the spot seems to be generally
appreciated. About fifty families have passed
the summer on the grounds For the con-
venience of these Mr.. Reed, the prince of
camp-meeting caterers, has erected a large
boarding house, neat and convenient. 1t coa-
tains fifty sleeping rooms, already engaged
through the meeting The growing custom has
necessitated the addition of building, 40 by
160 feet, to the main structure. This is now
finished and ready for occupancy.
"Camp-meeting John" Allen is here in
attendance, on his 249th camp-meeting.
The opening service began at three o'clock il
the afternoon with prayer from the Rev. J. M
Woodbury. of Ferry Village. The Rev. Israe
L1ce, presiding elder of the Portland district
followed with few remarks in welcome of the
National Association, under whose spirtua
superintendent the meetings would be con
ducted' TheiRev VIM. Mcdonald of Bostor
read portion of scripture.
The discourse of the afternoon was delivered
by the Rev. j. S. lnskip, a short, corpulen
man, With bristling hair, deep-set eyes, and {
ing, energetic and enthusiastic preacher. Hi.
text was Acts XII. 1-"And they were all will
one accord in one place He proceeded to
speak of the objects of the National Camp
meeting Association, and of the reasons why i
came to Old Orchard Beach. The purpose wa
to preach the doctrine of entire sanctifcation
the most infallible method of bringing sinner
to Christ There is no doctrine so sure tt
awake the attention of wicked men. It is NJ
imperfect system, but it promises full and ever
lasting salvation to those who accept 1t unre
servedly. To preach this great doctrine is thu
work here. The dogmatic position is strong
and the experimental position appeals power
fully to the heart. The speaker felt assured
would accept the doctrine before the ten days
session came to an end. Those who don't be
lieve the doctrine shall desire the experience
The fundamental points Of the ques
Al.
creeds of ali true Christian churches
That tendency to sin may linger in thu
heart after conversion is generally acknowl
edged. and few will deny that the merit of tht
atonement alone, will make the heart pure an(
good. The atonement is as effiacacious to-day
as it was in the time of the penitent thief and
the blood of the Lamb will wash our souls cleal
from sin. Specification is only the full assur-
ance Of salvation by faith, primary trutl
| A man may come here Baptist, and embrace
the doctrine of specification, and yet go back
as good Baptist as he came; he may come
Presbyterian, and embrace specification and
go back good Presbyterian. The doctrine is
not merely Methodist dogma, but univer-
sal Christian Truth. A revival Of pente-costa
Influences, an .outpouring of spiritual life ii
loudly called to- by the needs of the times.
True the outer noral life of Christians was
never better, true taat they were never doing
more for the church. but still there is great
want. a soul-upheaving experience is needed
by CHRISTIANS, great revival, not reformation
mind you, is needed in the church. This grant
moving inpalse, this stirring of the soul is
furnished by the doctrine Of Christian perfec-
good thing if every bellerer could be sau e i.
lied, soul, body and intellect to God is moi
its possibility, nay its necessity set forth IN the
Bible? Let us embrace it then. Let us call on
God tor sanctified priesthood, for a sanctified
people. The low state of religious experience
is corrodng curse. The class meetings must
be filled with the spirit, the heart must be set
al aglow with heavenly fire. The prevalent
idea that Christianity is an incompleteness and
failure must be done away with.
| The discourse was powerful one, emotion
| ally considered, and produced profound i'm.
preston upon the audience. evidenced by
shouts and cries of "Amen." A fervent prayer
meeting in which many joined, followed the
| sermon