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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (May 20, 1900)
ss PART THREE VOL. XIX. PORTLAND, OREGON, SUNDAY MORNING, MAY 20, 1900. NO. 20. 21 fe JiitttwM L. PAGES 23 TO 32 I s i awFaBMBBB-, '"isbbies:- w7 F1NJ TIPAlfTiPiPft TA1R.1F ilsliofelfc M il I L yI I ILL IIOL, . t HE regular an- IPM Wl iB&fW ffiK k I?SIP I I . ' " ' if - tfgj ... ffiipflHHHn of Uve :orth Pa- f ,MffiM2 SjJAJJrA Am 1 JT A I 1 cure Conference of IAmUfM I W 111 1 Mr3PsKP' c JJ IMftTT-aiMg-, AA . kg rc Seventh - Day BMSM fi il I I lAlW) PMHtfSlJ' ISSh-'- t! P Adventists opened M!15 'BM tfA than that IBfflBft T iii'W 1 V ? t88 W chosen m n Of MpW "? ' lM'Sff TW X-? I , 1 WlPiM elfth and Mult-fMm B&1 'J 'MBM W, HffljfSK WK' - ft I 5A 1 P nomah streets. The I k V VvXAI (k LMBr Hffll il lWW WJSstm WT && I ! I4 ' R kVo T a space of fourKNX) . M Jsh3K waVJra vM liPK. mMJCy) ii II y r 1 v m v JSagffi blocks on the north IW M tY" . JLJfi t 2PSB0 rk. Ranged in V J ffiMM Wtt ffl'KS fllW' tJ W J - WfT VT Ifii- tcnt sultably num- ivkv4(MmuR CJN r'y Si- -- 1 ir- ) to Z5 b-ed. they stand In !&PsV WlllllP YiM !Ki Ji AU ( V " .3 A (H 1 PleaataK contrast Vv. TOMli 7 mWttfl I ft UA VS-' - IO ) J1!,! 1W4J " their setting 1 TO VV Jlfij (08OwWnL ''SgT L k $&.l 'f- tents are occupied II U. v MipNA 9$'L - V ) - 'm by families who. TO ' M-Syf.ft- --'- P Vfe worship God in k' K ,M WfA? &,Wl lUZt V' -1 7 K- I ' their own peculiar P M I.' ( IfJIr O 1 A I WlJ 2 T- u V 1 P"- 1 ! -way. For the nub-1 i ' I l .' V .V If I ttZh. ? 2i . " .s .'. lie Is a commodious dining tent, a general pro vision stand, and a book tent, where Bl b'ca, tracts and other denominational lit erature are on sale. Some of the people in attendance "keop house" in the family tents, while others partake of their meals in the dining tent. Every day three serv ices are held. The one In the morning opens at 10:D0 A.,M. TJie second Is held at 2:30 P. M.. and the people gather for evening service at 7:o0 o'clock In the even ing. At these anriual campmeetlncs there are usually two business meetings held dally. In addition to the religious sessions, ana tnis year has proven no exception to the rule. Lnrpe Jarlnaictlon. Tho North Pacific Conference is one with a large jurisdiction. It Includes all that portion of Oregon and Washington west of the Cascades, and British Colum bia. Originally the territory of the con ference Included the whole of Oregon and Washington. A time came when It was decided to add British Columbia; East ern Oregon and Eastern Washington were detached, and with them was Included Western Idaho. The new subdivision was given the name of the Upper Columbia Conference. The first session of the North Pacific Conference was held at Walla Walla, Wash.. October 25-29, 1877 nearly a qua--ter of a century ago and which marks the real beginning of the work of the Seventh-Day Adventists in this field. The sect Itself was instituted about 1S4S. At 'he yearly cimpmeetlng of the North Ppelfio Conference last year, there were 200 terts upon the grounds, and the regu lar attendance was 1000. not counting tho throngs of sightseers. The number of del egates is certainly not less than last year, and Is possibly more. At these confer ences, each church In the jurisdiction Is entitled to at least one delegate. The number is based upon the numerical strength of the church, and every 20 mem bers are entitled to one additional repre sentative. Women may be selected as delegates and have equal voting power with the men, but usually male delegates are choson. An Adventlst campmeetlng. like those of other denominations which follow this peculiar manner of open-air worship, is In the nature of a revival. There Is quite a marked distinction, however, between their methods and those of certain other sects. They arc a remarkably earnest and thoughful class of rehglonlsts. They appeal veryseldom. If at all. to the emo tional elements In human nature. If one religious and song service there 1 If , 0n 11 if "'vrl V -" - N.V, W 1 ( i pavilion. 70110 feet dimensions. O 1 sOV U,J )iify )1 If IJZ V "vl- tCT P'iwl V 1 With a seating capacity that will k srf Vy VV r 111 i iC" v tC T ' - accommodate 1500 people. Besides the X'.l a Y vVs? A 1 II Vf X j Vy r LXH ( - tcnta used as temnorarv homes, there Is 1 3' ill ' I i I l II Vi -w i ' i5A j gmjjmm.m - 1HKKB 'UUP I Win IlilllillWW II, Sl Hi SSW7 IVIDKITII ttWYiVt rmrrm.. - ' s M IIB 1 n I v- - J V i. . rifti 3V mu id K u v- '( 2WKa Hhjrr 7YVOs V J ' - J r VlAYs P ' s - X. Vf x V -r ' ttf cOY A m, JT" - vy5 . v v looks for violent physical exhibitions, or expects to hear shouts from excited con verts. he will be disappointed. It Is not an effort that Is made to acquire converts by appealing directly to their emotions, that prevails. A deep, earnest study of the Scriptures, the presentation of biblical reasons w hy It Is better to eschew sin and follow thej teachings of the humble Naza rene that is the Seveath-Day Adventists' way. Without attempting to present any argument either for or against the meth ods of conversion these peopa employ, suffice it to say that their labors are ap parently not in aln, and that. In the harvest of souls; the results they achieve compare favorably with those accom plished by other sects. So constantly, so fervently do these people study their BI .bles that there Is no religious organiza tion, unles eit may be the Quakers, which possesses a more accurate knowledge of Scripture than they. ,. Sot All Vegetarian. It Is often the custom, when spealdng of an Adventlst, to make the term synon oraous with that of a vegetarian. This la x Tmd, I 6fc Everybody knows that the Mlllerltes in not wholly correct. There are plenty of ISM set a date, and have done so occa- vegetarians who, are not Adventists. and slonally since. Ascension robes were pre- all Adventists do not entirely eschew an- pared, people gave away their property Imal foods. It Is true that, as a class, and made all things ready to take their they use very little animal food, or food flight to heaven, but thus far all their made from .animal products. Very many, predictions have failed. The Seventh Day however, do entirely abstain from thesa Adventlst has not attempted to pry so things. A few partake sparingly of milk, far Into the Inscrutable and unknowable butter and cheese. This rule of dietetics future. Indeed, he believes In following is not based upon religious scruples at the teaching of Christ "The day and hour alL As one Adventlst said: no man knoweth." To him the words of "We who abstain from animal food do St. Matthew, xxlv:S3-34, are all-sufficient: so because we believe It Is not best "33. And again shall the abomination adapted to human needs. From a careful of desolation, spoken of by Daniel, the study of the subject, we are pretty thor- prophet, be fulfilled. oughly convinced that the perpetuation of "34. And. Immediately after the trlbu- many diseases Is due entirely to animal latlon of those days the sun shall' be foods. We believe that In fruits and nuts darkened, and the moon shall not give and grains there are all the tlements ofher light, and the stars shall fall from nutriment we require. This question of diet, though. Is something for "each per son to decide for himself." ' - A brief reference to some of Jhe Ad ventlsts' tenets may be of Interest. They believe In the assured second coming or advent of Christ. The Seventh Day Ad ventists should not be confused with the First Day Adventists. The former, from their construction 'of Scripture, consider Saturday the proper day for worship. In this they agree with the Jews. The First Day Adveritlst3 observe the Sabbath day In common with other Christian denomi nations. Then, again, there Is a very important difference between these two divisions of Adventists, In the matter of belief as to when the end of the wortu shall come. of heaven shall be shaken." Again, Christ said In the 36th verse: "Although the days -will come that heaven and earth shall pass away, yet my word shall not pass away, but all shall be fulfilled." When did open-air religious meetings originate? These gatherings, like every thing else, had a beginning somewhere. History shows that the ancient Druids, In Britain, were wont to gather under their rugged oaks to observe their peculiar forms of worship. This fact reaches back Into a dim "and Tioary past. Probably the most notable open-air meeting in Chris tlan annals was that held by Jesus Christ himself, when he delivered his Sermon on the Mount of Olives. The lofty sentiments then uttered have thundered down through 19 centuries, and found an echo In the hearts of well-nigh countless millions. The messages of love and peace he there gave to humanity are still bearjng fruit, and will probably do so until the end of time. The first campmectlng In America was held on the banks of the Muddy River, at Russellvllle, Ky In August, 1799 a hun dred and one years ago. There were two brothers, John and William McGee, .both preachers, with whom the Idea originated. John was a Methodist; William, a Pres byterian. They lived In Eastern Tennes see. What then constituted the United B(i, .. ., it . States, on the frontiers, was in a most of he eight terrible years of the Revo- lu Ion bringing with them an aftermath of wickedness. The skepticism of Voltaire and Thomas Paine rcet with ready adop- tlon among the Irresponsible classes and Oiners. t,. . v-.i. ! .. .... . .... w ..w utswG, StlU fctU UUL Uil 1UUU as evangels, to scatter abroad the dogmas of tho Christian faith. From house to house they tramped on their self-imposed mission. At length, they reached Russe'll. vllle. A Presbyterian Church there was holding a sacramental session. The Mc Gees took a leading part. So powerful and eloquent were the words of the el der brother, John, that the people flocked to hear him from, many miles around. At length, the little church could no longer hold the assemblage, and all adjourned to 'the grove on the river banks. A rude platform was erected on the grounds, at the center of the clearing, for the preach ers. The people erected tents and put up houses of branches for temporary shelter, while some slept In their wagons. Impresalveneas of Scene. There was something In the natural setting of the scene that caused the elo quent words of the preachers to fall, wlth added emphasis, lnio the listening eara. Those who were present felt them- selves drawn "near to Nature's heart." The winds sung a tender symphony through the leafy branches. The softly flowing waters of the river and the trills of the birds added to the melody. Con- versions were numerous. In a day or two a regular order of exercises Twas evolved. In the morning, a trumpet blast awakened the camoers. A second blast caused all to VkAnr? tVia Irnoa In tho efllclnn nf tnj!,. bend the knee, in the seclusion of their tents, and a third summoned all to a pub lic gathering for prayers. Then came breakfast. Throughout the day services were held, every three ir four hours. A .u, cj, wltc 4 -ui uuuia. .n. sermon, exhortations to the unre.eenerate and the singing of hymns marked the services. Clifford Howard, a contributor to the Ladles' Home Journal vividly describes the first campmeetlng scene in America, John McGee. whose rude oratory was truly remarkable, was addressing the gathering at the evening meeting. Mr. xaowaru sas. 'Illuminated with lanterns and candles and blazing pine knots, the scene at night ji heaven, and the powers was a weird and fascinating picture. Gathered about the pulpit, either stand ing or seated upon rudely made benches, the congregation listened In reverential silence to tne sermon. Then came the ex hortation. It was the clarion call to ac tion, the rousing force, the electric thrill that awoke the slumbering soul to active response. It followed the eermon as a storm follows the silent, though porten tous clouds. Inspired by an Intense ear nestness, the exhorter called upon his listeners to come to God. The hour of de liverance was at hand! The doom of eternal death, with all Its horrors and agonies was before them! Vehement Oratory. "His voice grew shrill and piercing In Its utterance of awful warnings. His whole body trembled with emotion. Now raising his arms to Heaven and Invoking the mercy of the Almighty, and now ex tending them to the people, yriih Implor ing crier, he became ever more earnest and more vehement. His voice thrilled with ecstatic fervency. Now dying away to a whisper and then bursting forth with thundering and tempestuous energy, It smote the hearts of his listen ers, and, like reeds before a storm, they bent beneath the fury of his impassioned eloquence. "Suddenly a piercing scream broke In upon' the voice of tho preacher. A wom an, with hair disheveled, sprang up from the congregation, shrieking and throwing her arms about In a wild delirium of emotion and. In a moment c-rMwo, sank to the earth, with tumultuous sobs. Others quickly followed with similar outbursts of overwrought feelings. The excitement became infectious. An overpowering IHoLl&AY PARK PORTUAND. force took possession of the gathering." Ing cob pipes In the semi-darkness; or pro Campmeetlngs were by no means con- Jectlng streams of tobacco juice upon the fined to America. They were Introduced ground. into England, in ISO", by Lorenzo Dow, The Presbj terlans abandoned the Idea early. The Methodists retained and de veloped It. In many localities, they have purchased permanent camping grounds and erected buildings to accommodate campers. The Wesleyan conference dis approved of the institution. This led to a dhlsion In the ranks of Methodism and caused the formation of the sect known as Primitive Methodists. Other sects followed In their footsteps and adopt ed the practice of holding campmeetlngs. The names of Whipple aid Bi.ss. Dwlght t ATr..- t w . . .U Moody, Ira D. Sankev. Sam Jnnea nnn other nf ii,. - . nZ it e ramous evansel's' ana sincere are en the roll of those who Rave performed leading parts at such gatherings and which, after all. are only revivals on a laree scale VmM r doors. The Snirltll-t , .... - . .... t ,. --..uiiSiF, m various sec tions of the country, hold annual camp meetings. Hysterical Religion. "uc ms me same toaay mat It was 100 vcars ago. and the scenes so havin- occurred at the first American campmeetlng. are to be at meetin3s for out-door worsh ip i"n many par of th,3 broad ,and ," last year of the century it these gah erlns th ff..i. .,-. x . " ' " "-"-- v-wcipaius nnu many ways to express their overwrought feelings. Who has not seen some of them lying unconscious upon the ground? Some Z:.. T , ,anlisa- To eyes flock lQh,,t , fl . y 7, JtTs tTtl IZlZi f w- "-w, ThO QCVinm rt . a- - u-j.Uiu ui jciuge jut ineir sm-weary souls. While some, with tear-stained faces. Im plore God for mercy and forgiveness, anon mingling with the babel of discordant sounds there comes the voice of a singer. Others, In their hvsterln. pivo -nr- laughter. It Is strange how thin Is that Trouble I See, Lord," "We'll Camp a Llt invislble boundary wall bstween grief and tie While in tho Wilderness," are all ex merriment' Very often those who are cellent examples. able to resist the Impulse to shout, or The preacher now begins his discourse, sing, or moan, give way to muscular ac- He tells of his conversion. His eager 11st- tion. They twitch; they wave their arms; eners catch the words : they leap and dance and go through all ,,. . sorts of lnvnltmta ,ni,i- .. . The Discourse. ...., c.injjcujt:-. 0 a ievv' 'Jven dt tneir delirium, exhaust themselves by wildly running to and fro. Some Eo downright mad and help to All our Insane asylums. To those who can successfully resist the mysterious power that causes the others to thus demean themselves, there is an element of gro- Jesque ludlcrousness about such exhlbi- " The American negro, especially the col- reJ brother of the South, is an emotional individual. PerhaDs traces of hf Tin few, driven by their delirium, exhaust rllTinai Slinerctltfrtn ea-.,s ..... .1 i -- ,-...u....wa otivi; lu JJUJJUlUriZQ the campmeetlng Idea with him. The re ligious fervor which finds expression at his gatherings, the average white man uuui cmcijr Lumprenena or appreci- ate. unless he be of the wildly emotional sort himself. Occasionally white people lose self-control at campmeetlngs. but, as a rule, they are less susceptible than the colored brethren. When they do give way to the Influence of "the power." their be- havlor is quite as absurd as that of their co-rellglonlsts. -The power" is merely a species of nerve-exaltation. Other influence than religion may produce It, and often do. In Tennessee, "befo de wah," there was once a campmeetlng of colored peo pie In progress. An old darky "mammy" obtained her mistress' permission to at tend. Afterward. In describing the preach er, Aunt Dinah, with up-rolled eyes, said: "I heerd him las' Sunday night, an hea powerful dat's so. He tell'd us 'bout de Judgment day till I fairly 'spected to hear Gabriel toot ebery mlnlt. An' ho tell'd ob de lake ob fire, an' us cumbrous tlmmer as what'll be cut down an' slumj In, till I jes heerd de flames a-cracklin 'hind a mighty big rock, or clar up da dry leabes. An he done said how none ob us could hide out o' de way In dat turrl hle time, but whareber we's at, plum 'hind a mighty big ruck, or clar up re furdest mounting, we'll hear de liawd's driber blowin' his horn, loud as thunde. An' he'll take de whole raft ob us wid a come-quick to de Lawd in glory, or da debbil In hell." Campmeetlngs are popular south of Ma son and Dixon's line. The one at which Aunt Dinah's "powerful" preacher held forth some 40 years ago, presents a type of all In the Sunny South. Tents are erected of every size and color. The more pretentious are of white cotton Sheets, while for the humbler ones, tat tered bed quilts serve the purpose. It Is near the hour of supper. The appetizing odor of frying bacon floats In the air, and the hoecakes are browning in the ashes. From a near-by spring several old darkles are "toting" water. About the camping grounds are numerous mangy-looking curs and troops of children. Mingled with tho blacks are sundry representatives of the "white trash" who are sul generis. At the several stalls provisions and whisky and tobacco are procurable. Men and women cluster about the campflres, smok- VSfrfc Nature's Temple. Reaching skyward stand the tall trees, like pillars supporting the star-gemmed, azure dome of this temple of nature. The upward curve of the branches, with their dark-green foliage, forma arches far above. Here and there, through the gathering shadows, the blazing plnc-knot torches, moving restlessly about, illuminate the picture. The light flashes, reflected from the ebon-hued faces, discover a grotesque scene. Tho blast of a horn la heard the signal "" evening service to oegin and all .., u.. ... .. f """" " for the evening service to begin and all -."" lucji t-eais ot rougn piamcs. The small boys find convenient perches astride the branches of the trees. The old wbite-wooled preacher utters a feeling prayer. As his fervent sentiments are ..-..., . .,... ,. .. ,. teuueu m lnr. r nearts. ms ueuxera KToaa. 'Amens" are heard In every direction. from deepest bcza or baritone to clarion trebles. Several of the more enthusiastic shout, "Praise de Lawd!!" Then cornea the rrand chorus of 6C0 voices: "Whar now is de good ol Daniel? Whar now Is de good ol Daniel? Whar now is de good ol Daniel7 Safe in de promised land. A Darkey 31elody. ' Five verses of the hymn are sung with that Inimitable sweetness of melody char acteristic of the race. Perhaps these negro melodies reach back to the home of the race in the Dark Continent It was there the fabled Memnon murmured t sounds at sunrise, in the olden tlmo. f -Har music of the Amerl- viu iieKro its out me reawaKeninc strains . of Memnon now. The revival and-camp- meetlng eongs of the negro Is music In digenous to the United States. Even the most critical admit the beauties of their rude compositions. Mention of a few will suffice. "Steal Away to Jesus," "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Nobody Knows the -nai uremreu, you n x Know mat -ca- tonally, ef not oftener, I'ee been de un- der-dog In de fight. Many's de laminln I'se took from de debbil. But when he had de Des. o lt, an- z Jes nadr to glb jn beat. de Lawd reached out do han an' I up an' at him agin, Rime-by. when de en' come, den de Are an. de brimstone storm cotch yer. Oh, sinners! what yer goln' to do den? Da Lawd am waitln for yer now. Come, sin- - -! "An brethren, you 'n I know that 'ca- -. His appeal Is not In vain. A mulatto girl leaps to her feet In frenzy. She shrieks and waves her arms, then falls to earth. She has the "power." The elder women gather about her. In e few elder women gather about her. In a few moments she revives and stands up. Then she begins to sing. This Is a signal for a general outburst. The mighty chorus dies away. The preacher's face Is wet with tears. He points heavenward. His very silence to eloquent. A moment thus he stands, while the awed multitude gazes, then downward drops his arm. Another sheaf has been garnered In the divine har- -rest nf aonls. Thus was It In. the SontblaDd 40 years ago; thus is it today. "r'K-yj nr?'i