The Portland daily press., 1883-09-07
MIDSUMMER RELIGION.
oamn of the sabpatarians.

OalQp OF gQ6 OdpphbdIEdOS.
VAUDEVILLE, Sept 8.
The sky this morning was heavy with clouds
and warm drilling rain dampened the en-
campment, but not the spirit of The tenters,
for at an early Lour.they were astr and alllalive
with zeal and ambition. The question: "Do
you think it will be rainy week." has been
discussed and although few faint-hearted dis
ciples express doubts and fears, the majority
OF the workers are cheerful and hopeful. Oc-
casionaily deep base voice rings through the
grove singing to the accompaniment OF saw
and hammer the inspiring song:
when the mists have rolled in splendor
from the beauty of the hills,
and even as the words echo Oh the air the
threatening clouds lift their gloomy shadows
And md the sunshine warm and tender,
Fails IN glanness on the hills.
giving promise of pleasant day. There
seems to be more than the usual amount of
work to DO done this year in fitting up the
grounds, as last year the tent floors were taken
up, the lumber removed and the grove return
ed to its original condition One of the most
active members af the camp-meeing commit
tee has died since the last convention, leaving
sad vacancy, yet notwithstanding these draw
backs scores of active hands are rapidly chang
ing the appearance of the woodland, making
1t wear the festive decorations of a leafy, flow.
cry temple. The woods at this season of the
year are filled with thousands of graceful,
charming things which skiful hands can
weave into forms of beauty.
Miss Della Lombard from Windham has this
year and former years shown much artistic
taste in experimenting and placing the floral
adornments of the grove. The ladies under
her direction manifest zeal and enth asiasm
worthy of praise.
The circle of tents is larger than 1t has been
any previous year, and forms back ground Of
snowy whiteness TO the objects within the cir
cumference. The trees stand among the tents
massive, tall and dark, fit shrine for humble
worshipper to hold communion with This Mak-
or. The speakers stand has been made very
beautiful, with wreaths, hanging baskets,
ferns trailing vines, charts ond lovely flowers
Notices have been placed among the trees and
other decorations are being prepared for the
tents and grounds.
The following towns are represented by
tents: Linneus, Washhurn, Houlton Month
cello, Hartand, Portland, Cambridge Edipe-
ton, Brewer, Clinton, Canaan. Norridgewock,
Cornville, Say. Watervile Woodstock, Rich
mond, Dresden, Brunswick. Patten, Baltic
Greek, and Palmyra. Several of the towns
are represented by four or five tents and many
other towns will soon be represented in the
canvas village.
Several business meetings have been held
during the day.
This evening Elder I. d. Van Horn from
California opened the public services by giving
. somewhat Informal and rambling discourse
from Rom. ID, lila The text was too long
Tor the sermon 10 be compact and perfectly
out'linedi the subiect-matier, however, was
practical and the explanations of Scripture
quite lucid. The drift of the sermon was An
earnest entreaty TO perfect Christian Character
ana prepare to meet the Lord. The speaker
touched many points and wandered over much
ground, giving good advice and exhorting his
audience to live "soberly, righteously and god
~ in this present worldn
The night is chill, cold and dark, the rain
drops patter ON the cotton roofs and the wind
sings dismal songs among the tree-tops The
day ends as it began, with unpleasant weather
but it is hoped that the morning will dawn In
splendor and future days he bright,
REPORTER.