The Portland daily press., 1878-08-31
Old Orchard District Camp Meeting.
FRIDAY.

Last evening Rev. A. S. Ladd of Portland
preached from Phil. iv, S-"Whatsoever things
are pure, true" Sc. After some Introductory
remarks of very happy character, the preacher
observed:
1. The text opens broad field for Christian
thought and contemplation; all that is true,
pure, honest. or of even good report.
2. The duty of thinking on these things was
earnestly insisted upoD, because
8. They are worthy of our esteem, and life
takes its lights aud shades of moral character
from thought INDUCED. Gas man thinketh
in his heart, SO is he'
This morning opened bright and beautiful,
and at an early hour the grove was vocal with
prayer and praise.
The morning tent meetings were we'll at
tended and the religious interest is deepening
every hour.
At 10 o'clock a large congregation assembled
to hear preaching by Rev. G. E. Bradlee of
Alfred.
The service commenced with the hymn, san
hail the power of Jesus name," followed by
prayer by Rev. Mr.. La Lacheur. The preacher
read his text from Acts XVI, 24-'Thou art
beside thyself; much learning hath made thee
mad After brief historical introduction,
the preacher remarked that it was common
with those ignorant of spiritual things to de-
nounce the experience and teachings of Chris
tians as fanatical, enthusiastic and unreason-
able.
The effort of the sermon was to show that
such experience and effort was ia the highest
;v,o rdop init IN,
view of the momentous interests involved, our
earnestness and enthusiasm are not as great as
they should be. The sermon was illustrated
with many references to historical characters
and the contrast presented showed the pre-
eminence of Christian faith and conservation
over all other influences in rousing the soul
and developing its highest, noblest powers.
Remarks followed by Rev. Messrs. Perry and
Jones, and an appeal of great power by Rev.
Mr.. Greene of Park street, Lewiston, showing
the difference between the enthusiasm of love
expected reward, which is a mark of many
temperance orators and leaders, and many
story telling, sensational, popular ministers.
His remarks were sharp, but timely. God
save the church from such spoilers!
At 2 o'clock Rev. d. W. La Lacheur of Bid
deford preached from Rom. j, 16-"For L am
not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is
the power of God unto salvation to everyone
that believeth.
A few Introductory remarks led at once to
the points presented for consideration.
/. What is the Gospel? 1t is TIE history of
Christ, His lowly reputed origin; His mean
surroundings poverty.stricken life
bad reputation, though His character was pure.
He was called glutton, a wine-bibber. Yet
of all this Paul was not ashamed, though his
surroundings and reputation had been very
different. Then His death was disgraceful-
on the cross, with malefactors and thieves;
forsaken of His few disciples, not one of whom
had the elements of Jewish responsibility.
Yet Paul was not ashamed of the gospel.
2. Why not ashamed of it? Because it is
the power of God, or the medium of His
power. That is in the Gospel that is found in no
other book Some deride and scott at it; call
it weak, &c. But God takes the weak things
of the world to execute his great designs.
The speaker illustrated this by reference to
the Grams Horns of Jericho" David and
Goliath, Gideon and his lamps and pitchers.
With his peculiar dramatic power he brought
these strange scraps of Hebrew history before
the mind with almost startling vividness.
At the close of the sermon he came down
from the stand and conducted an altar service
in style of which he alone is capable.
The congregation has been large, but smaller
than yesterday, numbering about two thou.
sand.