Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-09-09
the approach Of that day. We read in Math IL
10. that John the Baptist 10 the one Of whom .'it ID
written" but John said that be wss not Elijah Id

the approach OF that day. We read in Math. ii
TO- that John the Baptist 10 the one Of whom ut ID
written" but John said that be wss not Elijah Id
John 81 The Jews expected Elijah to come
| personally. John meant that he was not he same
person. although be did do the work ascrbed him
| in the spirit and power of Elias His work WAS
to prepare a people for the first advent of Christ
and not for the day Of the Lord as brought to view
N the text thet efore concluded that the pro-
! phecy only met partial fulhlmept in the person
| of John the Baptist, and that similar work must
take place before the second advent of Christ.
We believe that thi. work will be movement
{ that will be accompanied with the spirit and pow
er OF Elias, and will prepare people for Chrst's
appearing. We believe that warning Is now be-
ing given, not by any one individual but by class
Of people. The statutes snd judgments OF Moses
are brought to view in the connection; therefore
We conclude that those who give the warning will
have something tn say concerning the Law Of God.
Those who give thi. message must be meu who
are not like seed shaken bv the wind" The
work calls for men of stability, and moral courage
They must not let the banner of truth trail 10 the
dust, but they must be willing to wear out in the
cause Of God. movem-n mt carried on by such
individuals will move the hearts of men and full
fill the specifications of the prophecy The last
church will understand the prophecies and stand
on higher ground than any that p"ecedes it. The
discourse was shortened somewhat on account Of
thu ram which still continued to fall. During the
entire sermon all nature seemed weeping over
earth's doom, which the speaker pictured n strik-
log language. The views taken by this people
concerning certain points of doctrine may be
somewhat radical, yet notwithstanding their Pc
culiar views they seem TO understand and practice
the fundamental. vital principle of Christianity.
The people were made glad after the sermon,
by the arrival of Mrs White.
AS one hour and then another drew on, the poo
pie repaired to the tsbt rDacle to welcome in the
hours OF the seventh day Sabbath, which they
commence and close according to the ancient
method of reckoning tine. 1t Is the custom of
this people to all kneel and usher in the Sab
bath with PRAYER. The lanterns cast ftful
shadows over the kneeling people and a strange
stiffness settled around, broken by .he voice Of
the holy man who bresthed the prayer of faith
so earnestly that it sent thrill that it sent .
thrill through every heart. The scene and hour
were grsndly solemn and impressive and seemed
to foreshadow the time when "al nations will
bow before Gods throne" and "all flesh worship
the Lord of Hosts
In the evening, Elder Fsrnsworth preached
from John xii, IS, 36. The theme of his discourse
was the cause of spiritual darkness Why some
me- and some nations enjoy more of Gods bless
ing than Others is because they walk in the light
as God reveals it to them. God is not q respecter
Of persons, but blesses men in proportion to their
falthfulness. The light will shine "more and
more until the perfect day. and our knowledge is
increased by walking in it. Ignorance is the re-
suit of wickedness-Eph. iv. IL, Is. There was
time when all men knew. God, and why heather
nations exist to-day 10 because they forsook God
and He 'let them alone" Neglect to do duty
hsrdens the heart and brings darkness Cor ",
I. 1t makes the heart lost to impressions from
God. 1t takes more power to start man 10 the
service Of God the second time than the first God
withdr avs bis spirit from the hearts of men BY de-
grees, and when He takes it away entirely, then
they become little better than demons. The spirit
is long suffering, aud will work around . mans
heart for years and prompt him to do right; but
the time will come, if the man resists its in
huences, when the weeping angels will fold their
wings and the spirit depart forever. God save
from that departure. God does not want men to
handle His truth with the ends of their fingers;
He wants His followers to have moral back bone,
aud 10 stem the tide though the wind blows ever
50 hard Happy is that man who takes hold of
the truth as though he had found jewel! The
words of life" spoken by the living preachers,
will prove curse or blessing. Light brings joy
or condemnation The speaker gave many strik-
ing illustrations, which went home to the hearts
Of the congregation. His sermon was we'll re-
ceived by all present.
Through the dsi kness, mud and rain the people
wended their way homeward, and the jewellers
in tents sought their beds Of straw, with the oft
repeated wish, II hope it will be pleasant to NOR
row"
The weather continued heavy all night. but this
morning there Is every prospect of fair day, al
though the air is cold and uding objects wet
and uncomfortable. The people comfort them
selves with the hope that coming hours will be
brighter, and all repaired at an early hour TO the
canvass church to worship HIM who hath His
way in the Storm. Everything is very still and
quiet or the grounds this morning, for this is the
day which this people respect as holy and out
siders almost catch the spirit, and find themselves
ell-nigh regarding its hours as sacred Such 10
the power of influence. The morning worship 10
the tents was quite generally participated in. and
spirit of untiring devotion seems to characterize
the church.
The afternoon services were conducted by Elder
Smith, who spoke in regard to the rise and pro-
eress of the cause as represented by the Seventh
Day Adventsts. He showed that from Q very
small beginning little over quarter of q century
ago, the work had increased and gone with
mighty power, until to-day churches Of this de.
nomination are fodnd on every continent and in
nearly every State in the Union. The tract and
missionary work was referred to Is being . pow
erful agency in bringing about this state of things.
Words of encouragement were given the church,
and appeal made for them to continue their
we'll begun efforts. REPORTER.