Connecticut western news., 1888-08-29
WEDNESDAY,, AUG. 29, 1888.
PINE GROTE CAMP MEETING.

The camp meeting proper commen- ced Wednesday morning, Aug p, and closed Saturday afternoon, Aug 25th. Rev Thomas Harrison, "the boy preacher" delivered all the sermons (eight in alD from Wednesday morning until Friday afternoon, inclusive, then ha left on the 5:15 p. m. express train for Mount Tabor, N. J., to preach at the camp meeting there. Rev Stephen Merritt, the well-known undertaken, of New York city, was at Pine Grove and took a prominent part in the exercises from Wednesday morning until Thurs day afternoon, when he was called to New York, but he returned Saturday morning. The heavy rain of Tuesday aftsrnoon and evening had chilled the air SO that winter clothing and over- coats and blanket shawls were in great demand on Wednesday. The artic atmosphere prevented many from attending tine encampment and those who did venture there returned home about chilled through. Mir Harrison's text Wednesday afternoon was: 'What shall it profit man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul"
 The weather on Thursday was all that could be desired and it is estima- ted that between 2,5OO and 5000 per- sons were present at one time upon the encampment. Stephen Merritt on Thursday morning e1pounded the 4th chapter of Hebrews and spoke at con- siderable length concerning the faith of Abraham. Mir Harrison selected as the text for his afternoon discourse St John 6 chapter, and the last clause of the 37th verse, "and him that cometh to mo I will in no wise cast out.
 On Friday, considering the perfect weather, there was small attendance at the meetings. The text of MT Harri- sons sermon was |: Deuteronomy 32 31, "for their work is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges" In the afternoon he preached from St John 11th chapter and 2Sth verse, "the Master IS come and calleth for thee" MT Harrison entrusted the characters of Mary and Martha and sald "he liked Mary but he loved Martha" He said in substance for 1900 years the character of Mary has been held up as shining example and sermons without number have been preached extolling her, but seldom are the virtues of Martha acknowledged or appreciated ; the burden of the song has been Mary, Mary, Mary, but give him Martha Martha the faithful house. keeper, the genuine Servant of the Lord, the one who worked for Jesus, prepared food for him and who "as soon ss she heard that Jesus was com ing, went out and met him but Mary sat still in the house." The Martha who had such faith in Christ that she even said, s'if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died, but I know that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. |" The audience Friday evening was ad- dressed by Rev Me Rippere, of West Winsted, and Rev s. J. McCutcheon, of Great Harrington.
 Stephen Merritt preached powerful sermon Saturday morning. His subject was ''the resurrection of the dry bones. B His text was the 9th verse of the 37th chapter of Ezekiel. In the afternoon Mir Merritt conducted the love feast, after which he returned to New York on the 5:15 p. m. train. The attendance was rather slim throughout the entire day.
 The gates were closed on Sunday, yet the cottagers and those who visited the grove listened to excellent sermons delivered by Rev J. W. Macomber, and Rev Mir Love. In the evening testi mony meeting was held, and many say it was the best meeting of the entire session.
 Friday morning it was publicly an nounced that the association was S1, POO in debt. From this time on collections were taken for the purpose of raising the debt, but what amount was raised we are unable to state.
 The singing was very pleasing and impressive feature of the exercises especially when led by the chorister, Hon G. w. Robinson, yet we hear i, stated that there was discord and Judi crousness, but real Merritt in 1t wher led by the gentleman from New York city.
 Ex-Presiding Elder Sanford has had the supervision and management of the camp meeting and he has labored hard to make it success. No one who has not "stood in his shoes knows the mental and physical strain of the posi- tion or the manifold details to b, attended to.
 It Is stated that during the meeting' from 100 to 15O persons were enrolled ,s seekers after religion, but the mum Der of hopeful conversions is not men toned, yet it was publicly announced from the platform that the association vas ss, xell pleased with the result O