The Portland daily press., 1883-09-11
MIDSUMMER RELIGION,
Sunday in the Camp Of the Sabbatarians
WArERyILIE. Sept g.

Sunday in the Camp of the Sabbatarians.
WATERvILLE, Sept. 9.
This morning the air was somewhat cool but
the genial sun soon shed its cheering rays
through the leafy dome and made all hearts
rejoice. At o'clock Bible reading took the
place of the usual prayer meeting. The an
cient tithing system was discussed, and II was
maintained that this is the Bible plan for the
support OF the ministry now.
At o'clock a session Of the Tract and Mis-
sionary Society was held in the pavilion. Mrs.
White addressed the church concerning the
importance of intellectual, moral and religious
culture. They were urged to take the denomi-
national papers OF the society and to study to
BIS able to give reason for the hope within
them. But little was said concerning foreign
missions. Individual reformation and home
work were made the subjects of notice.
At an early hour the people began to fill the
grove, coming from long distances with teams,
and in many instances walking from neighbor-
ing towns, seven or eight miles away. At
1870 the sound Of the organ brought the peo-
pie together on the seats in front Of the speak
er's stand, and Elder Butler addressed them
from Rev. IA, arguing that that chapter con-
tains a warning message concerning the second
advent of Christ. The statement was made
that no great Judgment has ever been sent up
on the children of men without being preceded
by message Of warning, and hence it IL un-
reasonable TO suppose that this world will ap-
proach its end and no light be given. The
preacher said that the message brought to
view in Rev. IA, is threefold in its nature, the
latter part of it bearing upon its face the COM
mandments of God and the faith of Jesus,
hence the attention of the people will be called
to the law Of God, and especially to the fourth
precept, which has been corrupted and changed
by the traditions Of men. Seventh Day Ad-
ventists claim to be giving that portion OF the
message.
Che aftarnoon M,e White onoLa 70 q
large and attentive audience, from the words,
"What shall 1 do to inherit eternal lifs?" The
standard OF Christianity presented was very
high and pure, and must have put to shame
many professors OF godliness. Gods law was
exalted and held up as the great moral rule BY
which character should be measured. The
following words are sample Of Mrs. Whites
eloquence; "God gave, in His Son, the best
gift that He could bestow upon man. Christ,
the Majesty Of Heaven, consented to leave the
heavenly courts and lay aside His robes Of roy
atty to come to a world all stained and marred
by the curse, t. take mans nature and to
reach to the very depths OF human misery and
woe, that by His own example OF perfect
character He might elevate and ennoble fallen
man. The Redeemer of the World encircles
the fallen race with His strong human arm,
while with His divine arm He grasps the
throne of the Infinite"
In the evening, Notwithstanding the chilly
dir, good congregation gathered in the pavil-
ion and listened TO a sermon by Elder Van
Horn upon the Judment. The discourse was
compact, foreible and eloquent.
Closing Services at Marthas Grove.
MARTHA's GROVE, Sept. g.
The lateness of the season renders out OF
door services anything but comfortable. Added
to the cold strong wind was blowing, scatter
ing dry twigs in dangerous proximity to the
heads of the audience. The meeting will be
month Aarliar A
was upon the grounds to-day.
A love feast was held at $50 o'clock in
Chestnut street tent. Rev. A. j. McKsown,
d. D., of Chestnut street church, Portland,
preached two able sermons. Prayer meetings
were held as usual. The evening service was q
farewell prayer and praise meeting. A spirit
of devotion pervaded the meetings to-day.
Dr. McKeown preached this morning from
Heb. xi, 6: "For without faith it is impossible
to please him; for he that cometh to God must
believe that He is God, and that He is re-
warder of them that diligently seek Him.
The speaker said: 1t is coming TO God by the
way of prayer of which these words speak.
We must either believe in chance world, the
FOOLS creed, or admitting that there is God,
who, having created the world, has withdrawn
himself and turned a deaf ear to the cries Of
his orphan children; this is pantheism, ration
alism, ETC.; or we must accept the theory OF q
preyer-hearing and a prayer-answering God.
offered is that "God will always do what Is
best for His creatures, therefore prayer is use
less.'
God always does the best He can under the
circumstances. Prayer introduces new condi-
tions which makes it possible for God to do
very different for the man who preys than the
man who blasphemes. 1t keeps in the mind OF
the subject the present idea of Gods part In
the government of the world, lays the habit Of
devotion and establishes the belief that God is
an answerer of prayer and rewarder Of the
faithful. Prayer is an instinct, and If God
does not answer prayer our human nature is q
cheat to the core. Bible and modern instances
of answer to prayer were given. The leading
Of God in the history Of our own country was
told in language of eloquent Christian patriot
ism.
The sermon at p. m. was from the words Of
our Savior to Nicodemus: "Verily, verify, I
say unto thee, except a man be born again, he
cannot see the Kingdom of God, John iii, 8.
What the Kingdom of God is, what consti-
tutes change of heart, and why it is neces-
sary, were the themes presented to the attentive
congregation.
AT the close of the sermon service OF
prayer was held in Fryeburg chapel.