Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-12-18

account Of Camt- MEETING, held OF
Long Island, .Nezv York state, from
The 7th to he 13h of.4uguat, 1891.
The first day was spent principally il
landing and erecting the tents. On Wed
nesday, there were an unusual number as
sembIed from New York, New Hay en-,
and from various parts of the country
At one time there were counled 81
sloops in the harbor, besides two steam
boats from the city, one OF which was
coming and returning every day durias
the meeting. On one day, il was judged
that there were not less Than 10000 PEG
pie on the ground.
The solemn exercises commenced un-
der verv favorable auspices, spirit OF
solcmniiy and fervent devotion pervading
the assembly. At 10 O'Clock, p. Nj.
most Of the people obeyed the summons,
and retired to rest, and the ground was
cleared Of stragglers. The united pray
ers Of so many kindred souls, who were
apparently aiming at the same thing,
could not but afford anticipations OF the
Divine power in the awakening and con-
version of souls. Accordingly, on The
second day Of the meeting, some gave
evidence of their desire to escape from
their sins and lay hold on eternal life
These became the subjects of prayer (;
and many Of Gods people were engaged
in this laborious and delightful exercise.
That God heard their prayers, was mani
tested by the songs Of praise which were
heard in the Camp. s
In this way the meeting progressed,
evidently under the "good will of Him
who dwelt in the bush," until the last
night, when more manifest appearance
ofthe IMMANuEL was Witnessed. By this
time many sinners were deeply wounded
by the "sword of the Spirit" and
brought to cry aloud for mercy. In adj
eli,ion to large praying circle which
was formed on the ground in the open
air, in which hundreds were engaged in
singing and prayer, there were several
prayer-meetings in tents. In all these
there were more or less of mourning
penitents, earnestly grooming for deliver
ance from the bondage OF corruption
Several of these, in the course OF the
evening, were enabled to testify that God
had taken away their sins. The scene,
indeed, was solemn and delightful, be-
yond description. The burning lamps,
the shadowy grove, the surrounding
tents, the solemn prayers, the concen-
trated notes of many voices singing
praises to God and the Lamb, and the
piercing means of penitent sinners, ex-
Ii1cd thosc mingled emotions, which arc
better felt than described.
j After being short time in one OF the
prayer meetings, about twelve O'Clock
at night ] seated myself at the door OF
my tent, in solitary mood, and INDUCED
myself in silcntfrehections. l had but
few interruptions, as all were either en-
gagged in the solemn exercises OF the
evening, or reposing in their tents under
the protection Of Him who never slnm-
bcrs nor sleets.
The pleasing sensations which were
excited by surrounding objects, may be
realized by those who have been &C.
custometl to ascend drought things which
arc seen TO those which are not seen
and in the midst Of the most profound
contemplation Of Him whose projections
spread a glow Of uncreated glory amidst
the heavens, feel a conscious sense ofthe
communication Of His Spirit. To in
dulge in those specuIa,ions which cold
calculating philosophy nigh, suggest,
was not at all suited to the place occu-
pied. The mind at once overleaped the
bounds Of all material objects, and ranged
through those fields OF space, unoccupied
by all but Hin who flIeth all in all
A ray Of the Divine glory shed such