The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-09-06
THE DEERANG CAMP MEETING.
Preparation of the Grounds Opening
Exercises.
CAMP GROUND, Sept. 5.

Yesterday afternoon the work of preparation
went steadily on; there were so many new ar
rivals that it became necessary to change and
enlarge the confines Of the camp, extending it
in semi-circle, pulling up stakes and re-
pitching many tents previously located. This
work was carried forward with much energy
and zeal, and the ladies became so enthusiastic
over the proposed improvement that they even
helped remove boards and canvas as well as
household utensils
The large pavilion is furnished with chairs
and comfortable settees and will seat at least
1000 people and give standing room to many
more. A plank pathway leads to this canvas
church and before the entrance stands
beautiful triple arch, bearing the notices:
"Bessed are they that do his commandments"
and "can ye not discern the signs of the
times?"
A committee Of ladies was appointed to pre-
pare evergreen trimmings and floral adorn-
ments for the tents and speakers stand, and
busy hands were soon engaged in the work.
ED. Haskell, president of the International
Tract and Missionary Society and ED. Robin
son, president of the Massachusetts, Health
and Temperance Association arrived on the
grounds about noon yesterday, and with
timely advice and suggestions helped forward
the work of preparation. The horse cars con-
Meeting with tire noon train on the Maine Gen.
trail, were heavily loaded with camp-meeting
folks.
A commodious provision stand and victual-
ing tent has been erected near the public high
way and good board can be obtained at reason
able rates.
Last evening was made beautiful by the
light of the moon, which rising over the bay
back of the encampment seemed like "a
golden goblet falling and sinking into the
sea-" leaving path of glory across the waters
and shedding silvery beams over white tents,
moving forms and stately old trees.
At 7.30 the ringing of the camp-meeting bell
called the paople one and all together to listen
to the opening exercises OF the occasion. Ed.
Haskell preached the Introductory address
from the following words: "Seek ye the Lord
while he may be found; call ye upon him while
he is near. lisa. 55.6. The following are
few OF the thoughts expressed: The text shows
that the Lord at times comes especially near
bis people. Special messages of warning to
the world accompanied with special reve-
lations of truth as in the case of Noah and the
ante-diluvians, bring God very near to those
who walk in the light; and united seeking
of the Lord by his people will always cause his
face to shine upon them. The prophet
Zephaniah refers to a special seeking of the
Lord which the "meek of the earth" are
called upon to make just before the second
coming of Christ. Zeph. %.
The text implies that time will come when
the seeker will not be able to find his God.
Rejection of light hardens the heart, and places
man in condition unfavorable to impressions
from GODS spirit. The 'sin unto death" which
shall not be forgiven, Matt. II, BY consists in
attributing the works of the Holy Ghost to the
agency of Satan, (Mark 3, 26-31)
We may seek the Lord by humbling our
hearts before Him, forsaking every sin, and
walking in the light of His word. God will
never bless a man that does not want to be
blessed. Too many professed Christians allow
their religion to fail into groove and their
experience in divine things to become as old
and stale as monldy bread, and worth about as
much. Such are like the man who when ask
ed II he enjoyed religion, replied that he trust
ed that God forgave his sins forty years ago.
What we want is a daily experience in the
things of God, growth in grace and living
connection with heaven.
The speaker then referred to the coming
campmeeting as a favor able opportunity to
draw near to God, aud advised the church as
individuals to seek God in secret, confess their
wrongs one to another in their families, and
thus remove stumbling blocks and prepare the
way for mighter than man to march through
the camp. Mach excellent advice was given
concerning the order that should be maintain
ed on the ground and the spirit of kindness
which should be manifested towards all.
At the close of the services the tired people
sought repose. Many of them, however, were
much disturbed by the booming of cannon and
wild hurrahs OF the patriotic flag-raisers at
Woodford's Corner. The music from q band
OF small insects was also annoying, and one
1rreverent youngster remarked that he hoped
the mosquitoes would get converted after
little time and cease to cir aggressive war
fare.
This morning dawned clear and bright, and
at an early hour the camp was astir and the
people hard at work. The large round pavil-
ion designed to shelter book stand, on which
will be offered UNCONVENTIONAL publications for
sale, was removed and pitched nearer the pub
lie highway, thus affording more room for
smaller tents in the vicinity of the tabernacle.
The exercises appointed for 1920 were omit
ted because of the extra labor occasioned by
the removal and repitching of tents, also be-
cause the ladies were engaged fitting no the
pulpit and arranging dark canopy overhead
to shade the eyes and shut out the heat of the
sun.
In the afternoon Ed. Haskell addressed the
people from the words: "Here are they that
keep the commandments of God and the faith
of Jesus" Rev. IA, IL.
The word there" was shown to locate the
language to particular period of time; this
poEtOu was onOWu lrOLu Il0 u6XG verse TO Do
space of time just prior to the coming of Christ
in the clouds of Heaven. The speaker said
that the preceding verse contains the most
solemn warning given in the Bible. The
words OF these verses were spoken by an angel
which is termed the third angel (yerse 9. lbence
Seventh Day Adyentists call this proclamation
the Third Angels message. They claim that
it is designed to restore down-trodden truths
The speaker remarked that the religious world
agree as to the binding force of nine-tenths of
Nk.nn n2r~rx.v - (N-x1
of the law, viz: the Fourth Commandment
there is an issue. This breach In the law it
was alleged must bs repaired before,the coming
OF Christ aud this work is that brought to view
in the text. Seventh Day Adventists claim to
be reformers in regard to that point hence
they are Sabbatarans indeed. The speaker
addressed his rem arks chiefly to the church as
there was not large outside attendance, and
touched many points of doctrine peculiar to
their faith which will doubtless be more fully
explained in future discoarses.
AS soon as the services were over the people
returned to their work OF pitching tents, for
but little time remained for them before the
ringing of the bell, which would announce the
beginning of the Seventh Day Sabbath. Like
the Israrlites of old this people begin and close
their Sabbath with the going down OF the sun.
brief session OF the Maine Conference was
held at O'Clock, after which work was again
resumed and continued until the signal to drop
worldly cares rang ont with startling distinct
ness, bn6n with wonderful promptnesS the peo-
pie repaired to the pavilion and ushered in the
Sabbath with prayer. 1t was noticeable that
the bell rang some little time before the sun
disappeared, thus not Gro Rding the work of the
week too closely on to holy time
In the evening Elder Robinson spoke from
the words: "And as it is appointed unto men
once to die, but after this the Judgment: 80
Christ was once offered to bear the sins of
many; and unto them that look for him shall
he appear the second time without sin unto
salvation" Heb. 8, 81, %.
The speaker made the following points:
The appointment of death was not made I'M
til after the fall of man. Gen. 3, 10. This
death which falls on the entire human race,
came because of Adams transgression. Cor
10, %. There will be a second death which
will be the result of personal sin. Rev. 20, 6.
Christ came to this earth the first time to pro.
vide q resurrection from the first death and to
open a way whereby man may obtain pardon
for individual transgression and thus escape
the second death. Christ will come the second
time to take his people to himself John Ia.
3. There are three views taken in regard to
this second advent of Christ.
l. That we can know nothing about when It
will take place.
2. That the definite day and year can be
told.
8. That the definite time OF the event is not
revealed, but Gods people will know when it
is near, even at the door.
This latter position is taken by Seventh Day
Adventisls.
The hope of the church centers in the second