The Portland daily press., 1883-09-08
MIDSUMMER RELIGION,
Camp of the Sabbatarians.
WArERv1LIE, Sept. O.

VAUDEVILLE, Sept. Q.
ibis morning the weather was all that could
be desired, as the day wore on strong breeze
stirred the tree-tops, making so much music
that 1t was impossible to hold meetings In the
grove, and the people:adjourned to the large
pavilion. where at o'clock ]. B. Byington, q
missionary from New Jersey, gave the church
some practical instructions in regard to can
vassing for the publications of the society and
doing general missionary work. He laid grest
stress on having the aid of Gods spirit and
gave much good advice. A regular instruc-
ton class was formed and the pupils advised
to begin practice on the camp ground.
At 1890 Elder Butler addressed the people
using the following words as text: because
thou hast kept the word of my patience, 1
also will keep thee from the hour Of tempta-
tion which shall come upon all the world, to
try them that dwell upon the earth" Rev.
8, 10.
The next verse shows that these words are
applicable to the days just prior to the second
advent Of Christ.
The Bible teaches, the speaker said, In many
places that as we near the end of time darkness
will increase, men be brought into close places,
evil influences prevail, and state Of society
exist very trying to the true child of God.
Whenever a great crisis has been reached in
the history of the church, Satan has put forth
great efforts to thwart the plans of God. 10
was SO in the days Of Noah, Abraham, Moses
and in Christ's time, and when the great
scheme of salvation is about to be consumma-
ted. Satan will bring his last great crowning
temptation to bear upon the human family.
His plans are deep laid and far reaching. For
ages the willy enemy of souls has been moulding
and shaping public opinion in a general way
and infusing false doctrines into the church.
The fables OF geology and evolution, and the
form Of godliness without its power, that pre-
walls SO extensively, are all calculated to rai=-
lead and keep men from believing in the liter
al, visible and personal coming of Christ in the
clouds OF heaven"
The speaker predicted that spiritualism
would yet assume religious garb, work mighty
miracles and draw into its circle thousands Of
church members, thus counterfeiting the work
of the Lord and bringing about cordial union
of church and state, as far as the religious ele-
ment is concerned, and prepare the way for
a bitter persecution to be kindled against the
"@N tSS> -NA VIZ oppookAuk u
Christ"
IN the great day Of temptation, said the
speaker, il will require firm trust, a heroic
purpose, and much moral courage to hold fast
the faith delivered to the saints; but when the
darkness is the deepest, the light Of . noble
character will shine the brightest and God be
the nearest to his people,"
The speakers manner was intensely earnest
and his face lighted up with enthusiasm.
In the afternoon Elder Van Horn delivered
q N inn lun earn T4t& n.
indeed baptize you with water unto repent
ance; but he that cometh after me is mightier
than /, whose. shoes am not worthy TO bear;
he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and
with fire." The character, life and mission Of
John the Baptist were delineated and the au-
dience carried in Imagination to the banks Of
tho Jordan. The scene enacted there In days
of old when Jesus was baptized by John was
pictured inIviviJ language, and as the speaker
warmed up with his subject he grew intensely
earnest, and withAthrilling words made tho
past for the time being present reality. The
gift of the Holy Spirit and its office-work were
then dwelt upon. 1t not only comes to the
heart as comforter but as a reprover Of sin
and sometimes It is manifested in miraculous
manners. "Whom the Lord l0veth he
chasteneth'', and trials are necessary to give
Christian Experience. II we come ont Of the
trial on the side toward the city there Joy and
gladness will fill the heart and the trial prove
blessed messenger Of light.
said about the Holy Ghost, the burden of the
popular ministry being, ''only believe on Jesus
and it is all right" Professed Christians fire.
quent the ballroom, the theatre, and talk and
dress like the world. The Spirit Of God can
not fall upon those who thus live. The hum
BILE, the 1owly and the true in heart are tho
ones who may claim the gift OF the Holy
Spirit. In the beginning of the Christian dis
pensation the Holy Ghost was given to the
apostles with mighty power, miracles were
wrought, and many wonders performed. Near
the close of the Gospel dispensation q similar
out-pouripg of Gods spirit will take place, and
the church stand before the world "bright as
the sun and terrible as an army with banners"
The speaker closed with few remarks con-
cerning the baptism of fire which he applied to
the destruction of the wicked by devoaripg
flames in the great day of God, and earnestly
exhorted his hearers to draw near to God,
cherish his spirit and prepare for the closing
scenes of earth's history.
At o'clock an interesting children's meet
lag was held in the mission tent. The little
ones manifested considerable enthusiasm In
the work of the Lord, and seemed to partake
Of the general spirit Of the meeting.
This evening Elder Butler gave an interest
ing discourse upon the subject Of brotherly
love.