The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-09-08
The Seventh Day Adventists.

This morning the face of nature suggests the
following lines:
''Ihe day is cold and dark and dreary,
1t rains and the wind is never weary
Everything is wet and uncomfortable These
unfavorable circumstances do not seem to
dampen the ardor Of the jewellers in tents, -
although fears are expressed that the rain may
prevent some from coming to the meeting.
The social meeting in the pavilion was an
interesting occasion. Mrs White made appro
pirate remarks concerning the individual re-
sponsibilities OF those present, and the neces-
sty of opening the avenues of the heart to the
influences of Gods spirit. The key of faith
will unlock the storehouse of Gods love. If
the soul longs after the Most High, then the
light of the glory of God will illuminate the
eountenance beautify the life and give daily
expression to the Christian. No church can
be a living church that is not q working
enurch. The words spoken had the desired
effect and many stirring testimonies were Civ
en- in quick succession.
As the people wendell their way from the
pavilion they were reioiced to see the light of
the sun. The clouds rolled up from the hori-
ION in white downy masses and COVE promise
of pleasant weather.
The forenoon services were held in the
grove. The singing was spirited and good. A
feeling prayer was offered by Elder Goodrich,
and an interesting discourse upon the subject
of ''Fruit-bearing," was delivered by Elder
Butler The illustration of the vine, John Is,
was taken as the foundation of the sermon.
Christ is the living vine. All believers are
branches. God-the huSbandman-is looking
for fruit. The fruits of the spirit, Gal. v, %,
were infinitely described and contrasted with
the fruits of the flesh. The great principles of
Christianity were illustrated and the lasting in
fluences of an upright. godly life shown. The
example of Christ was held up as a perfect
rule of life. The shortness of this mortal ex-
istence was contrasted with the endless ages of
eternity and feeling words spoken concerning
the glory of the life to come. Chastisement
draws the soul near to God and brings forth
faith Man is liable to self-deception. God
brings about circumstances to develop the
real character. If glass of clear water is
shaken it will remain clear but il there is dirt
in the bottom the water will become muddy.
This illustrates the human heart Trials dis
turb the everyday life and show us our real
was described and the condition and final des-
tiny of withered branches portrayed.
Is Before the afternoon meeting a beautiful
song service was held in the grove. Elder
Whites sons wife, Mrs. Mary White, presided
at the organ and made the woods echo and re-
echo with sweet sounds.
Mrs. Ellen G. White took the stand at $50
and delivered an eloquent and impressive adj
dress from Matt xiv, 81. The days of Noah
were described and contrasted with the present
age. The warning was given by the Noah,
but not needed by the people There were
smart men intellioent men. lofty men and
mighty men in those days, yet they did not ac-
cept the truth. Indulgence of appetite and
passion separated them from God, and dark
ened their understanding. Satan understands
that warning is now being given the inhab-
itants of the earth, and he is attracting the at
tention of the children OF men away from the
light Many are ensnared with the ever
changing, never-satisfying fashion OF the age.
The line of demarkation between professed
christians and the world is hardly perceptible.
The days of Noah are being acted over again.
Children are not brought up, they come up.
The outward Identification is considered of
more importance than the inward adornment.
We are standing on the very borders of the
eternal world, yet men perceive it not The
world is being rocked to sleep in the cradle of
carnal security. AS church protesting to be
looking for our King, are we showing by our
acts that we believe these things? Where are
the fathers and mothers of Israel? Where is
the weeping between the porch and the altar?
NO more Will tle earun Dc destroyed ny tne
waters of flood, but God has concealed fires
that will soon sweep over the land. Profess
sions are not worth straw without vital God
illness. The speaker here grew intensely earn
est and glowing words seemed to come from
the very depth of her soul. Mrs. White is at
times strongly eloquent and holds an audience
in almost breathless stiffness. Although many
do not agree with the doctrinal part OF her dis
courses, yet all are charmed by her manners
and beautiful language.
At ) o'clock session of the Maine Sabbath
School Association was held i'll the grove.
The beautiful hymn: "God bless our Sabbath
SCHOOL, was sung, after which Ed. White
made some interesting remarks concerning the
Sabbath school work. He stated that his IA
Their, Dea. John White of Palmyra, organized
the first Sunday school ever held in the state
of Maine. This was about fifty years ago.
Perhaps it will be proper to remark, that the
S. d. Adventists call school held on Satur-
day Sabbath school and school held on Sun
day Sunday school.
Ed Whites son, w. G. White, next took
the stand and made some excellent remarks
about teaching and the proper way to learn
Bible lessons. His words were addressed to
teachers and scholars and applicable to all
classes. This young man evidently has his
heart in the work and understands the organl-
cation and management of Sabbath schools,
which labor, we understand, he has made
speciality.
Delegates were called forward, reports read
and other business transacted, after which
the meeting adjourned to the call of the chair.
This people manifest great interest III the
education of their children. They believe that
impressions made upon youthful minds will be
lasting in after years and seed sown therein,
yield harvest the richness of which, sternity
alone can reveal
The various churches on the ground Will
unite their forces tomorrow and hold grand
camp-meeting Sabbath school in the grove.
This is a somewhat novel idea, but all in the
camp seem anxious to engage III the exercises.
As the sun was sinking in the West, the tent
ers gathered under the trees to welcome i'll the
hours of the seventh-day Sabbath with prayer.
The sight was grandly beautiful, the bowling
people, the lofty old trees, the lovely floral
ornaments and the white tents cleaning in the
twilight-all were calculated to impress the
mind.
mature with folded hands seemed there,
Kneeling as at her evening prayer"
Waves Of sweet music from the village came
floating on the night air with "a slumberous
sound-a sound that brings the feelings OF q
dream and mingling with this the voice of
heartfelt supplication assembled to God.
Ed. James White gave the evening dis
course, upon the proper observance of the Sab
bath The weekly cycle of seven days was
designed as pattern for each and every
week until the end of time. The twenty-four
hour day is made up of two parts-evening and
morning. The dark part of the day comes
first. The sun marks the beginning and the
ending of the day. We should be careful and
not mar either end of Gods holy day. If it is
worth while for us to be so odd from the rest OF
the religious world it is best for us to keep the
day we regard as holy, in a proper manner.
The hours of the Sabbath should be ushered in
with prayers. Gather the family together,
read Gods holy word, then all bow the knee
and Young and old pray vocally. Make the
day delight, and honor God by its strict OBJ
servance. The Elder then presented some ar
guments to prove that Christ was associated
with the Father in the work of Creation and,
therefore, must have helped make the Sab
bath for the same power that made the
world made the Sabbath The sermon was
closed with thrilling words concerning when:
O'er all the earth in days to come
A Sabbath will be known
When Jesus takes his people home
And sits on DaYid's throne.