A CANVAS TOWN.

Te Aroha News, Volume XII, Issue 1790, 27 November 1895, Page 2

A CANVAS TOWN.

When viewing the encampment at Armadale, one of the suburbs of Melbourne at a little distance, one is reminded somewhat of the old ‘golden days; ’ but a closer inspection reveals quite an agreeable contrast. Clean, while tents of a uniform shape and size are neatly arranged iu streets and avenues, and a peep inside reveals a promise of comfort aud a pleasant feeling of home. - Sanitary arrangments are complete, disorder and dirt being conspicuous by their absence. Cleanliness certainly appears to be considered .au important part of Godliness, The camp has been formed by a religious body known aS'the Seventh-day Adventists, who held a similar meeting at Brighton two years ago. A seventy-five tents have been pitched, including one large pavilion for general meetings, and a smaller one for the gatherings of tßfe younger portion of the community. At the entrance is a reception tent, where visitors are cordially received and entertained, and a book depot, where, numerous periodicals and works issued by the denomination may >be . inspected or purchased.. Within the large pavilion spiritual repasts are provided morning noon, and night, not to campers only, but to a constantly increasing attendance of visitors from without. If one may judge by the crowd of happy faces which respond to the call of the encampment bell, some good, palatable food is surelv provided. The needs of the natural man are hot overlooked by any means, and the response is not less hearty when the hell calls towards the dining tent, adjoins a substantial kitchen and grocer’s shop. 1 reedom, comfort, and goodwill prevail throughout the camp, and old and young appear to enjoy themselves throughly.' The Seventh - day Adventists' have church throughout the colonies, a publishing house in Melbourne, and a school near Sydney. They also have large medical, educational, and publishing institutions id England, Europe, Africa, and the United States. They subscribe substantial amounts annually towards missionary enterprise, and they also float a missionary ship, the ‘ Pitcairn,’ which has made several trips to the Pacific Islands with medical missionaries and teachers. They hold decided health and temperance views, not only forbidding the use of alcohol and tobacco, but advocating rational food reform, based upon Bible and scientific principles. While agreeing with other denominations as far as the fundamental truths of Christianity are concerned, and earnestly preaching salvation through Christ alone, it is firmly held that faith ip Christ establishes the Law of God. The Sabbath is therefore observed. They also teach that this earth renewed is finally to become the home of saiiits. By the study of the prophecies, especially of Daniel and Revelation, they believe that the second coming of Christ is very near, but they do not attempt to set the time of this event. They do not teach a temporal millennium, hut hold that probation will cease with the second comin» of "Christ. They-believe that the present hard times ’ and * distress of nations ’ are in fulfilment of prophecy, and view these conditions as indications that the end of the world is near at hand. Literature dealing with these subjects is cheerfully supplied to all inquirers.