Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-08-29
RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.
In answer to sundry QUESTIONS proposed in the
Salem (Mas,achuse,ts) Register, as to The char
dcier, influence. and par oaGge Of the CAMP
Nj LETTINGS winch are now very common i'm the
Southern States. with the people of different
religious persuasions, a Mr. VILLAS GuIaEY,
who appears to be a preacher of tho gospel has
published statement IN The Georgia Farmer 5
Gazette, from which extract che following
Information on this interesting subject
As to the character OF the Camp Meetings.
ne wrier de csibes them as composed of null.
tltudc OF virtuous individuals, with some vici Jus
eharaeters among thcm-he says, there have
been some instances Of improper conduit. but it
10 very difficult TO know the pcrpe ors"--that
they deem such cha sa6ters no more q reproach
70 the Camp Meetings. than the do ,h, wor
ship or the sons of God in consequence of the
Devils presence-Job
The writer's description of the influence of these
Meetings, must be highly gratifying 10 every Va.
tuous mind
1t was expected, at their commencement.
thai every remaining deg of party z,al would
by them he Destroyed among che Ministers and
reopie OF the different denominations; and that
iaudable design has been in some degree eaeGs
-Eigots have aband ned their marrow con .aa
ed sentiments, AMI acknowledged saas othe. s
might b. pious without beng called by their
names, or agreeing with thsn IN christian doc
time or discipline. The Influence they have hal
upon others Is surprising Deis.s have become
ADMIRERS II divine northumberland have
learned and praaised the d 6trines of sobrie,v-
fTofane Swearers have learned 20 verbera-e the
hane OF God with profound revere,ce---t those
VINO prot2neu ;hs sabbath! Gay now keep It toy
-Libertines refornsc--tn. Proud, hun,D ID
the k.vious' love 'heir neishb1u s--tbe Mali
cious, seek the welfare of mankind-those VINO
posses 'ed The cruel disposition of the wolf now
ENJOY the meekncss OF the lamb-Many WHO
were disgrace to the human race, ! reSruach 40
their families, and scandal 20 themselves haze
AZ these Meetings. been reformed aud become
respectable husbands parents neig huJrs. citizens
anu Amsricans.-. crsons of evocy desc ript ION
have experienced rlie influence of these Meet.
in&sj Old and Young, rich and poor, bind and
tree, DICK and white, the philosopher ant the
rustic the scholar and the inoi linus, the aiagis-
uare and the private citizen ply seI.,is .wy e,s,
merchants, mechanics aud farmers have expe. l..
encea the good effects or tnem Their influence
has ex ended to members 4 the L. gislature and
ofhGers OF the jus ciary and militia Thou,a DIS
IN this sia'e, who neither feared God or rega.d
ed man. have since the intrS. iuaon of these
ipGs learned to % fear CoI and work righseous-
ness " Such has been. and s,iIl continues 10 be-
the influence of the Camp Meetings; which should
induce every vrtuous american TO say with the
Psaimist, " q .ba men saV!d praise roe Lard foy
b,s goodness. md for bis svondetfW 1po,ks 10 ,bc
c5ila'eu ef men :" or, IN The language of Moses,
Substituting america for lsraeD Habby at
fboa, q dner!ca Se6o Is Ike myto thee, Peobie
saved Of tie Loyd %
With regard to the Patronage of these Meet.
ings, the writer says:
4" II is sufficient to answer tie purposes intend
ed The Ministers of every drnomna,i u attend
without receiving any compensation whatever,
unless II be the satisfaction of .eeing he pros
perry OF the Redeenief's kingdom every man
attends al his own expense money IL requi
red, neither is ii necess-r, all the patronage
that is sought foi IS TIC I,resei &C OF III IN who
visred Jacob az bethel, and this they generaliy
receive 1.-the Salem inter supposes any thing
OF political nature is introduced a. these meet
ings, he abors under greas mistake; do nor
recoHcet ever heard 4 single sentence on that
sabjset from either minister ut peope.
" he inhabitants OF TINS sta,e travel 90, so,
or 4O miies to ATTEND The NEE, mugs wItn the
greatest part of their faules, among these are
the principal or first chsras.srs. Near 300 " ag.
Sons' many coaclts, cnairs and cars, have Leen
On the ground the number cf persons has on
some occasions been e.tmat,d - between ] = and
10 thousand, and Some hund. eds nave been con
Verted at a meeting, as will alp. ear by the in.
crease OF the different churctes--the increase
vi 'hS bafti3ts has been between three and tour
thousand-the Mstlodists i believe abouy 2 0OO
.-and a very gseatlnerease among ne rresby ,e-
rians. &c
"Notwi;hstandiug the ridicue Of nfde 5, he
seoEs ct the wicked and the weakness of he
well meaning weak part Of the community. these
! thinBs compel us to say" Tie Lord BATH due
e. ear tSiH85 fT us, U5e3eof ,re OHY6t 10 be glad"
iheie things have taken place under the
administration OF Mr.. .1tGerson, the m IN who
has been represented to " IT. an I .fael ord the
very people who arc averse to his adl'rnstrat.
on, live in the enjoyment of those blessings, his
administration, as a secondary Cause procured
Tor them That we enjoy many bessings under
his wise and virtuous administration. cannot be
denied, and as if Almighty Coo intended fore
yer to silence the calumny # his enemies. ne has
poured out his spidt amoug the pc ,,ie in a man
ner unknown before in america Happy wi,h
such Governrn INT, w live 20 see and hear hings
our ancestors knew H.tle Of"
(Signed) WILLIAM CUlREY.
| We understand that the Methodist society in
| tend to introduce CANP MEETINGS into this
! state; and that one wl shortly be held near ~.
n