The Portland daily press., 1878-09-05
CAMP MEETINGS.
seventh Day Advent Camp.Ground.

CAMP MEETINGS.
seventh Day Advent Camp.Ground.
WATERvILLE, Sept. 2.
The Seventh Day Adventists are busily en-
gagged in fitting up their grounds for their an
nual camp-meeting, which this year is to DC
held in a new locality. Tents are being rapidly
pitched and loaded teams are continually bring
ing new arrivals.
The meeting is to be held in beautiful ma
pie grove owned by Mrs. Gilman. 1t is situat-
ed on elevated land, commanding fine view
of Waterville village. Far, far away may be
seen dense old forests and undulating hills
looking blue and hazy in the distance. When
the rising sun gids the spires of the far-off
churches with rays of golden light the scene is
one of great beauty, and as we gaze over the
lovely landscape the following words come to
our mind:
'fThere natures temple open stands,
There's none SO noblv grand as hers.
The sky its roof; its floor all lands,
While rocks and trees are wOrshippers."
Ia all ages of the world groves have been ia
vorite resorts for public worship, for they tend
to inspire the mind with religious awe. Moth
ing is more desirable during the sultry days Of
early autumn than cooling shade, and those
who would enjoy this, and also hold sweet
communion winh God should seek some spot
"Where'er the trees thick branches spread,
A deeper, darker shade"
and certainly the spot chosen for this camp
meeting is all that could be desired iu this re-
spect.
The ground gradually ascends from the
speakers stand, directly in front of which are
arranged hundreds of comfortable seats, under
the refreshing canopy formed by the trees,
which crown and cover the summit and sides
of the gentle hill. The tents are arranged in a
circle 200 feet in diameter. The speakers
stand is beautifully decorated with graceful
wreaths and lovely flowers, artisticly arranged
upon pure white background. Frail and
delicate ferns and twining plants and vines
fall gracefully from the sides Of the stand.
Beautiful bouquets and vases adorn the front
part, while lovely wreaths and festoons of ever
green, interspersed with bright colored leaves
and white fringe, produce remarkably good
effect. The beautiful tents, mingling with the
deep green of the proud old trees, and the fine
view of the village seen through the leafy in
terstices, presents a picture Of rare beauty.
High over the trees is banner 80 feet long up
Oh which are the words. Seventh Day Advent
Camp.meeting." This banner can be seen q
great distance and is a good advertisement of
the meeting Other notices and emblems are
being repaired, and the work of scores of busy
hands through the day will greatly change the
appearance of surrounding objects.
WATERvILLE, Sept. 8.
Yesterday the work of preparation went
steadily on. The circle of white tents grew
denser and denser and the arrival of loaded
teams more frequent. A cool breeze rendered
the air less oppressive than it would otherwise
have been. Cheerful sounds filled the grove
and pleasant greetings were exchanged as
friends met friends. Many additions were
made to the decorations of the grounds. A
beautiful little tent for the use of the cores
pondents of the press was erected near the
speakers stand and every courtesy shown to
strangers who visited the grove. Ample pro-
visions have been made for the accommoda-
ton of man and beast. A large victualing sa-
can be obtained at reasonable rates. The peo.
pie are from different parts of the state. The
following towns are among those repres ented
by tents: Portland, Deering, Norridgewock,
Cornville, Hartland, Palmyra, Athens, Lin
neus, North Jay, Woodstock, Richmond,
Brunswick, Cambridge and Canaan. Elder j.
B. Goodrich, president of the Maine Confer
ence, has arrived and is experimenting the
operations of the committee on arrangements,
of whom he is chairman. In this capacity he
shows great executive ability. The ladies who
have arrived on the grounds are very active and
much of the beauty of the decorations of the
grove is due to their fine taste. Great quiet
ness and harmony have characterized the az
rangements thus far. AS night with its "long
and sombre shadows crept over the earth !;
rain drops began to patter on the roofs of the
canvas houses and the people were obliged to
suspend operations and seek the shelter afford
ed by the tents For long time the murmur
of voices and the music of the rain were blend.
ed together and then call was stilr' and He
who dwelleth In light unapproachable, watched
over. the silent dwellers in darkness. This
morning heavy mist encircled the horizon,
and from all parts of the grove is heard the
question, "Do you think it will rain?" The
general verdict is that dull day may be ex-
pected, but notwithstanding tLis, the work of
yesterday is renewed with zeal and new tents
are rapidly filling up the intervening spaces in
the circle of white Elder Farms worth of Iowa
arrived on the grounds quite late last evening;
also Elder Weber of Richmond, Maine. 9th
er ministers are expected soon. The ladies are
still at work making floral designs and rustic
ornaments. A nice tent mas been erected for
Mrs. White, who is expected in a few days
The carpenters are busy this morning erecting
movable awning to protect the speakers
stand in case of rain. Public services will COM
mence at half-past 10. Elder Whitney of New
York has just arrived. He was gladly well
coined as he il a fine musician and his sweet
songs, accompanied by the music of the organ,
will add very much to the interest of the meet.
ing.
At 8 O'clock the people assembled and en-
joyed season of prayer, after which the work
Of preparation again went on. 1t is thought by
the citizens Of the place that very large
crowd will attend the meetings from all parts
of the adjoining country and from distant plac-
es. We think from present indications that
the meeting will prove very interesting oc-
casion. REPORTER.