The Portland daily press., 1878-09-07
CAMP MEETINGS.
The seventh Day Adventisty at Prospect
Grove.
WATERYIIIF SAINT


Yesterday afternoon the people were some
what disturbed by falling drops of rain but
before the hour arrived for the afternoon ser
vices the sun showed his face at intervals and
seemed inclined to shine forth In all his beauty.
Quite large congregation assembled in the
grove at half past two, and as the sweet strains
of harmony rose in praise of Him who
"maketh the earth soft with Showers all
nature seemed to unite with man in alteration
and the sentiment of every heart seemed to be-
1.-THE calm retreat, the silent shade,
With prayer and praise agree,
And seem by Thy sweet bounty made,
For those who follow Thee
Truly, God makes every thing
means of grace to HE people and in the storm
or in the sunshine His power is manifest.
After the beautiful song service Elder
Whitney spoke to the people upon the subject
of unbelief, taking for text the following
words, stake heed brethren, lest there be in
you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from
the living God, but exhort one another daily
while it is called to-day; lest any of you be
hardened through the deceitfulness of SIM"
Heb 3, u, 13. The text was treated in an
able and interesting manner, ard the cengre-
CATION seemed impressed by the earnestness of
the speaker.
The prayer meeting at O'Clock was one of
interest. Many feeling testimonies were given
in quick succession. AS evening drew its
twilight shadow over the earth the stiffness
was broken by the silvery tones of the organ
and the clear ringing voices of the singers. At
evening thoughts naturally go up to God and
floods of melody awaken still more feelings of
reverence and awe, and dffuse a peaceful in
auence over the mind. The evening breeze
passed with pleasant GOODNESS through the
tree-tops and the bright lights threw uncertain
shadows over the countenances of the congre-
cation, upon the leaves and trees and over the
beautiful objects around and lit up the face of
the speaker with singular paleness.
Elder Uriah Smith. editor of the Advent
Review and Sabbath Herald, ,gave discourse
upon the nearness of Christ's coming. He
said the doctrine of the Advent had almost
ceased to be distinctive feature In their
faith as such men as Moody, Cummings and
others were advocating the same and it was
becoming quite generally believedin by most
evangelical denominations. He thought per-
haps the issue between them would come on
the nearness of the event. He discarded the
idea of time setting but claimed that the
church would know of certain signs when that
event was near. He show ed that the line of
prophecy is nearly run out aud that the next
event is the grand conclusion of all earthly
scenes, for when the fourth kingdom comes to
an end, the worlds history ends; for no earth
ly kingdom succeeds the last beast; but "the
saints of the Most High take the kingdom
and reign forever The speaker portrayed in
thrilling language the terrible scenes of the
last day and made the events of futurity seem
present realities. The lines of prophecy to
which he referred were delineated on q large
pictorial chart which served to attract the
attention of the audience and to make his
preaching more effective.
This morning like its predecessors is dull
and veil of mist encircles tie horizon. 1t is
hoped that the clouds will soon flee away and
the beautiful rays of the sun enliven the en-
campment. The morning social meetings
were we'll attended and the spirit of willing
ness to come up to the will and work of God
was manifested. At 8 O'Clock each tent
resounded with the voice of praise and the
circle of worshippers seemed a fit symbol of
that unity which should characterize believers.
At 10 o'clock Elder Goodrich of Hartland,
Me-, took the stand and preached from the
words: SNOW beseech, brethren, by the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all
speak the same thing and that there be no
divisions among you" Cor. lilo. The main
thought was the importance of union and
order 10 the church of God.
Elder Goodrich is very effective speaker
and one who at times becomes so enthusiastic
and earnest that his voice echoes through the
grove like trumpet and holds with magical
power the attention of the remotest listener.
No one who has ever heard him can doubt his
sincerity,
Mrs. White is expected to-day and her arrival
is anxiously looked for. She will address the
people Sunday afternoon upon the subject of
Christian temperance. As lecturer on
reformatory subjects she draws large CROWDS.
She has had audiences in New England Of over
10000 people and in tbs west much larger. No
doubt many will attend these meetings out of
curiosity and some from a desire 70 learn more
concerning this devoted and peculiar people.
Publications are offered for sale and given
away on the grounds which give full expose
ton of the Advent faith and the reasons from
Bible standpoint why they. as a people,
believe in the doctrines they advocate so
zealously. REPORTER.