The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-09-09
THE DEERING CAmPmEETxNe.
The Sabbath Question Investigated
Meeting of the Educational Association.

Last evening the camp was all astir with
moving forms. The horse cars were heavily
loaded with folks ''going to campmeeting''
and as the hour for evening worship drew
near, many were somewhat startled by the
sharp, clear notes of locomotive bell in the
vicinity Of the large pavilion. AS the con-
ductor's cry of call aboard" was not forth
coming the people concluded that the bell was
spending vacation doing missionary work A
few inquiries led to the fact that when the
officials on the Maine Central Railroad ascer-
tanned that bell to announce the time of
worship was needed by the campmeeting
folks theyvery kindly loaned and transported
to the grounds free of charge large engine
bell which answers every purpose.
Elder Weber from Richmond preached
the discourse from the words every plant
which my heavenly Father hath not planted
shall be rooted up,"-Matt xv:13. From pre-
ceding verses it was shown that the converse
tion which led to the utterance of these
words by Christ was in regard to the tradi-
tions of men and 1.-THE commandments Of God,
the issue being over the fifth commandment
which the Pharisees had made Of none effect
The speaker took the same line of reasoning
and applied it to the fourth commandment
which brings to view the seventh-day Sab
BATH He remarked that three days of the
week were observed as Sabbaths in the world
by large portions of the human family, viz:
Friday by the Mohammedans, Saturday by
Jews and many Christians. and Sunday BY the
Roman Catholics and large mSjority of Pre-
testants. He then proceeded to ascertain if
possible which of these Sabbaths was pl anted
by God. Friday, or the sixth-day Sabbath,
was soon disposed Of on the ground that no
mention of 1t is made in the Bible. The
Bible evidence for Sunday or first-day observ-
ance was then examined.
The following statements were made: The
first day OF the week is mentioned only eight
times in all the New Testament: Matt xviii:
/; Mark xvi:2-9, Luke xxiv:1; John xx;1-19:
Acts 20I: Cor. xviii. Six OF these texts
refer to the same frat day of the week, and
the preceding day is called the Sabbath
Paul directed the saints to look over their
secular affairs on that day. Cor. xvi:2.
In all the New Testament we have a record
of only one religious meeting held upon that
day, and even thisswas night meeting-Acts
xx:5 IL.
The Bible nowhere says that the q rst day
OF the week commentaries the resurrection of
Christ. This is a tradition of men, which
makes void the law Of God. Baptism COM
memorates the burial and resurrection of
Jesus-Rom. vi:3-5.
The New Testament is totally silent with re-
gard to any sacrednesS for the first day.
The speaker then proceeded to examine the
BLDG evidence for the observance of the
seventh-day Sabbath, making the following
statements:
The seventh day Sabbath was instituted. or
according to the figure Of the text, planted in
the garden OF Eden. Gen. 2, 1-3.
Evident reference is made to this Sabbath
all through the patriarchal age. Gen. 8, 10,
IL, %, etc.
1t was commanded by the voice of God.
speaking from heaven. Deut. A, IL, Is.
Christ kept the seventh day Sabbath. Luke
4, is; John Is, 10.
Thirty years after Christ's resurrection, the
Holy Spirit expressly calls it "ths Sabbath
day." Acts Ii, ID.
The GENTLE converts called it the Sabbath.
Acts 10, AZ.
Paul called il "the Sabbath day. in A. D.,
45. Acts 10, q.
The seventh day is mentioned ffty-nine
times in the New Testament, and always with
respect, being the same title it had in the Old
Testament, "the Sabbath day."
The speaker then said that the plant found
growing in the garden of Eden will flourish
eternally in the new earth after the restitu.
tion. lisa. 66, p, %, but every plant which
my heavenly Father hath not planted shall
be rooted up.
A large audience listened to the discourse
and many seemed impressed with the candor
OF the speaker and the evident force of some
of his statements.
This morning q slight mist shrouded the
sky, but the rays of the sun soon dispelled the
shadows and sent It's glowing beams upon the
encampment.
The Seventh Day Adventist ministers are a
sober minded, noble looking set of men, but
evidently, not devoid OF sense of humor. AS
one OF them was walking through the camp
this morning his attention was attracted bv
the banner over the large pavilion, bearing
the words, "Seventh-Day Adventists camp
meeting on the ground" and remarked that il
be was reporter he would make a note of the
fact that it conveyed the impression
that previous to this time the meeting had
been held in the air.
1t seems that the banner in question was
used at meeting held on q fair ground and by
covering over the word fair was made to do
service on the present occasion.
An nine o'clock an educational meeting was
held in the pavilion. Elder Haskell made re.
marks concerning the educational interests of
the church and the Importance of connecting
religious training with the discipline of the
intellect He took the position that the en-
largement OF mind in this life will enhance
the enjoyment in the life to come. He said:
MAN will take his brains into the kingdem of
God; they will not be changed as to power or
capacity only made immortal. A pint Gun
and bushel measure may be alike full, but
OnO WILL OOutdlu u1Olo buAu bQo Obner, SO small
and large minds may be alike, filled with the
bliss of the eternal world, but the one will
have a keener sense of enjoyment than the
others and realize more of the glory of Heav-
en-.
The object of the UNCONVENTIONAL schools
among 6eventh-Day Adventists was declared
to be two-fold: first, to give the young strength
and beauty Of character, and second TO prepare
them to labor as missionaries, colporteurs,
ministers and In other fields Of usefulness in
connection with the cause Of God.
Stirring remarks were made By other speak-
ers, concerning the work Of education. The
plan of connecting manual labor with school
work was shown to be, according to the ideas
OF the best educators in the land. and its
seeming impracticabilitY the only barrier
against its universal adoption.
Ssyenth.Day Adventists havs surmounted
this difficulty, solved the problem and ASSOCIATE
ed physical culture with mental and moral
discipline. The academy at South Lancaster
Mass, has connected with 1t workrooms, in
which the pupils are taught the various trades.
Inc following occupations were mentioned as
being among those engaged In by the students:
Tent making, boot and shoe repairing, broom
making, harness-making, the printers trade,
including proof-reading and writing for the
press.
The method of mental training followed in
the schools Of this people is not to place text
book in the hand Of the pupil, with instruc-
lions to commit its rules and principles to
memory, but on the contrary, textbooks are
used as reference books and principles taught
by practical exercises, thus cultivating habits
of Independent, logical thought. The Bible
is made prominent, and its study a regular
daily exercise. Special courses of study adapt-
ed to mature minds, and biblical and scientific
lectures are marked features Of these institu-
tions of learning. The schools of Seventh
Day Adventists are quite largely attended BY
those not o. the faith Battle Creek College,
Mich, and Healdsburg College, CAL. stand
among the leading institutions of learning in
the West. and have graduated many practical
business men.
Seventh-Day Adventists as q body seem
awake to the importance of educating their