The Portland daily press., 1878-08-27
Poland Camp Meeting.

HOAuuu NumP NAcctluK.
These grounds are located about one mill
from the Empire station on the Grand Trunk
railway. They are situated in a splendid hard
wood grove, affording the most perfect and
complete shade of any similar grounds in tht
state. They gently slope to the northwest, ant
were. in their natural state, SO even and leve
that the expense of grading was comparatively
small. The soil is dry but not sandy. A new
and elegant ''stand' has just been erected
seats with high and easy chair backs are suffi.
GENTLY capacious to seat over 5000 people.
There are about 80 society tents (many oil
them large) on the inside circle. Around them
is convenient carriage way known as "Broad.
way" Outside of Broadway, and connected
with it at right angles, are large number Of
"avenues'' extending back, on each side of
which are located family cottages-about 100
in number. Many Of them are elegant struct.
ures, containing all the modern improvements
pertaining to camp-meeting life
Water is brought on to the grounds in an ac
queduct from spring containing all the medi.
cal qualities found in the celebrated "Poland
Springs" The water from the spring supply
ing these grounds, although not advertised or
trumpeted abroad. is already used in large
quantities for its medicinal properties. Quite a
colony of summer travellers resided upon the
grounds for weeks before the meeting COM
menced. Undoubtedly hereafter these grounds
will be largely occupied as a summer resort.
Upon the grounds, belonging to the associa-
tion, is large boarding house and stable, open
for the accommodation of those attendingsthe
meeting at very reasonable rates. About ten
thousand dollars have been expended upon the
grounds and the association is out Of debt, with
small surplus in the treasury.
The meeting the present year has been COM
plete success, under the superintendence of
Rev. G. O. Mason, aud the best of order has
prevailed throughout The attendance has
been larger than usual. More persons have re-
mained upon the ground than at any previous
meeting. Nearly all of these have been regu-
lar in their attendance. The attendance upon
the Sabbath was less than usual on account of
the severe rain.
The preaching as general rule has been
plain, direct. evangelical expostions of the
great fundamental truths Of the gospel, with
no attempt at display or UNCONVENTIONAL dis
cussion. The sermon by Rev. DR.. j. W. Ham
ilton Of Boston, on Thursday, was learned,
eloquent, mastery discussion of the doctrine
of personal responsibility and Christian work,
and made most profound impression upon the
large audience who listened to it.
An interesting feature of the meeting has
been the "ehildren's meetings convened each
day at l o'clock under the lead of Rev. E.
Davis, the evangelist. They have been largely
attended and very interesting.
At the time of writing this am unable to
state the number of conversions, but have been
informed they have been quite large. A fea-
ture of the meeting which has been quite no.
ticeable, has been the excellent order that has
prevailed throughout. There has been a COM
plete absence of anything like rowdyism, all
the services being as orderly as if held in q
church. Another thing worthy of remark has
been the absence of all undue religious excite
ment. A deep seated religious feeling has
pervaded all the services without any approach
to what any reasonable person would call ex-
travsgance.
The directors, at a recent meeting, decided to
make further improvements upon the premises
at an early day. Hereafter the old ''Empire
Camp Grounds are to rank among the most
attractive in the state. P.