A RELIGIOUS ENCAMPMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6994, 9 January 1901, Page 2

A RELIGIOUS ENCAMPMENT.

THE.- SEVENTH. DAY AD VENT■A QUAIfIT 'AMD INTERESTING SPECTACLE TO BE SEEN | DAILY.["Star" Special.] The Seventh Day Adventists are in camp. Why they are called by that.name, or in what respect t% differ in belief from other Christian people, are hot questions for discussion at the present time. They are in camp, which is an annual institution, as well as are their conferences. i Let it be hoped that those excellent people j will be more fortunate in regard to weather f than were their fellow Christians of the Native race, who Avere in camp in Lancaster Park during Christinas week. '.; [ The idea, of the camp is much the same as I that of the now celebrated! Chattauqua encampment, at which evangelical Christians from all parts of America assemble, arid set themselves apart for a time of special devotion. There are eighteen ..dwelling tents on the ground; which is the paddock in the "rear'of Dp Orchard's residence in Gloucester Street, and besides these there are. marquees for divine service. The largest marquee is seated for more than a hundred people, has a platform for the preacher with a neat reading-desk, round the pedestal of which are ranged flowers in bloom; and graceful palms and another platform f or , the choir, with am organ at one end, and it is here that the main services are held afternoon and evening. The choir is a good one, and, to the credit of its members, be it said, thfey are indefatigable in practice, with the profitable result that attends air honest labour with, an object in view. The dwelling tents are all arranged in the most comfortable and .convenient manner, and some of them look like fairy bowers, as seen when half the curtains are lifted for ventilation. It is easy to tell the sex of the occupants of these tents without any inquiry. The camp is laid gut military fashion — in streets — and as the people have brought their families to the encampment it is a pleasing sight to see the little ones running about those streets, in and out of the canvas homes, and thoroughly enjoying themselves. All the necessaries for camp-life' are provided, and given good weather, the fortnight's "tenting" should be a time of real physical enjoyment. Doubtless the spiritual blessing will not "be wanting. The Adventists, in this encampment of theirs, find that camp-life for a short time does much to promote good feeling and friendship amongst the brethren, and though they have' not yet been introduced here, congregational camps have been common for some years in America, and the results are said to be highly satisfactory.