The Portland daily press., 1882-08-26
CAMP MEETINGS.
The Second Day Adventists at Water
vile Camp Ground.

The Second Day Adventists at Water-
vile Camp Ground.
VAUDEVILLE CAMP GROUND, August "a.
This afternoon the weather was clear and
mild Scarcely breath of air stirred the
leafy canopy above and the stiffness OF listen
ing congregation settled over the camp as
Elder Butler from Michigan took the stand
and after few words offriendly greeting gave
a stirring discourse from II Tim. ii:1-6-"This
know also, that in the last days perilous times
shall come. For men shall be lovers of their
own selves" etc. He showed that the Ian
guage of Timothy is applicable in a measure
to S. D. Adventists and all professed Chris
tians. The present condition of society was
compared with the characteristics of the last
days and the dangers of Gods people pointed
out. 1t is not lack of truth, but not needing
the light given that will bring eternal ruin 1t
is noticeable fact that S. D. Adventists as
body are becoming more and more like the
world and gradually losing the spirit OF sacrl-
fee, earnestness and devotion that marked the
early history Of this denomination. Other re-
ligious societies have experienced this spirit
ual decenslon and nothing short of Almighty
Power can prevent any people from losing that
simplicity and humility SO necessary to Chris
tian growth. Truth brings US back to apos-
tolic practice as we'll as theory. The doctrine
that it is not necessary for the church in this
age of the world to have the earnestness of
the early reformers, is Satan's soothing syrup
designed to lull men to sleep. We must seek
higher levels and strive to elevate the stand
ard of human excellence A form of godli-
ness and half-hearted faith will never ena-
bic the sons of men to tread the glitterlng
pavements of Gods city. The only hope for
the cold indifferent, lukewarm backslider is
to return to God with brokenness of spirit,
tears and genuine repentance The mighty
current OF evil tending downward must be re-
sisted by living faith and the spirit OF the
world, love of pleasure and self be driven away
by earnest prayers. The speaker with thrill
ing words axhorted his audience to be SER
vent in spirit, Jealous, tender hearted, watch
full and humble" The preachers in this de-
nomination dc not hesitate to rebuke the sins
of their people and to speak plain, pointed
truths
Prof. Stone, noted musician from Michi-
gan, was gladly welcomed to-day. His rich,
full, well-trained voice and skliial manlpula-
lion of the organ will add much to the intere st
of the meetings.
The social meeting in the grove after the
sermon was interrupted by smart shower.
The congregation dispersed to their tents, feel
ing that the face of nature needed the refresh
lug rain. hEPohIEh.
WArEavILLE CAMP GROUND, August %.
Last evening vas SO damp and chilly that
the people adjourned to the Maine Mission
tent, thinking to have prayer meeting; but
by request, Elder G. W. Stone gave a short,
earnest discourse. His theme was the lack of
spirituality. spirit of wordIiness, GOODNESS and
Indifference that seems to be creeping over the
church, He lamented his own shortcomings
and mistakes and with fearful eyes and voice
softened and subdued by emotion and deep
feeling, exhorted his brethren to elevate the
standard of genuine Christianity. The robe OF
our own righteousness will never cover in the
day of the Lords fierce anger. Gods piercing
eve discerns our motives and secret thoughts.
A sacred and solemn responsibility to let the
light from high Heaven shine for the world,
rests upon us all We cannot grasp the pleas
ures of this. life with one hand aud the glory
of the eternal world with the other
As the speaker besought the people to re-
pent to humble themselves and seek the face
and favor of God as never before, strange
power, felt by the most careless accompanied
the words and solemn awe settled over the
congregation, while they dispersed quietly and
thoughtfully to their respective tents, and the
stillness of summer night reisned over the
encampment.
This morning the fog, characteristic OF this
month, again dimmed the light of the sun, but
at an early hour the voice of prayer re-
sounded through the grove and many lips
burst forth in songs of grateful praise.
A session of the Maine Conference was held
in the large tent at q. M, and at 10 O'Clock
the people met in the grove, but after the
opening exercises were obliged to adjourn to
the pavilion, as psttering drops OF rain on the
leafy canopy above announced shower.
Elder Butler preached from the words:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven" Much passes for relig-
ioa to-day that is not religion. Noise, excite
ment, sanctiGcation, so called, and loud talk
ing are no tokens of Christianity. Scripture
is often wrested from its connections and made
to teach doctrines not in accordance with the
principles of true religion. We should exam
Inc our faith and sec If it is genuine Humil-
ity is the foundation stone of growth in the
Divine life. Christ was meek and Lowry In
heart aud he says, "come and learn of me-"
We must dig where cooling waters How," be-
fore we Can hope to gain the heights OF Mt.
Zion. Self denial, meekness, deep contrition
OF soul, and brOkenness of spirit are opposed to
the natural incinations of the heart; but must
be learned. When we realize our own weak
ness and nothingness then God will make bare
his arm of strength and reveal himself to the
soul in all his beauty and love. The truth
should be exalted and self abased. The spirit
of humility has ever been cherished by holy
men. God looks upon the proud afar off and
does not dwell with those who boast of their
holiness If we would gain experience in
the things of Heaven, we must come to God
in his own way, have cur hearts broken and
tender, our wills subdued and self placed in
the background. The nearer we get to God
the less we will think of our own good works
The sermon seemed to breathe a spirit of
Bible religion in its simplicity, and was we'll
calculated to check pride and vain glory.
The meetings thus far have been full OF in
terest and large attendance is expected to-
morrow. REPoRTER