Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1839-09-10
MiscELLANY.
THE CAMP MEETING.
rRos CAPT. sAHRYArr's DIARY,

nattl, ana ANXIOUS TO VeTiiy The accounts j
had heard of them, ayniled myself Of this
opportunity ofsa,isfying myself We pro-
cceded about five miles on the high road.
and then diyoTged 10y cross road until we
arrived AT steep concal hill crowned with
splendid fores, trees being sufficiently apart
TO admit of wagons and other vehicles 10
pass IN every detection. The camp was
raised upon the summit of this hill, piece
OF table land comprising many ncres. About
M acre and half was surrounded on the
four sides by cabins built of rough boards
the whole area in the centre was fitted up
with planks, laid about foot from the
ground, ms seats. At one end, but not close
90 tho cabins. was raised stand, which
served as pulpit for the preachers, one Of
them praying, while five or six others sat
down behind him on benches. There was
ingrcss 10 the area by the four corners; the
whole Of which was shaded by vast forest
trees, which ran up to the height Of fifty or
sixty feet without throwing out n branch
and to the trunks of these were fixed lamps
in every direction for the continuance Of
service by night. Outside the area which
may be designated as the church, were hun
dreds oftkpts pitched IN every quarter, their
snowy whiteness contrasting beautiful,
est. These were the temporary In citations
OF those who had come many miles TO attend
the meeting, and who remained there from
tie commencement until it concluded -
usually. period Of from ten TO twelve days
but often much longer. The tents were
furnished with every article necessary for
cooking maitre sses TO sleep upon, &c.
some Of them even had bcdsteads and chests
of x.,hi.k baI hao,, hrntIuht tho
wagons in which the people in this coun-
try usually travel. At farther distance
were all the wagons and other vehicles which
had conveyed the people TO the meeting,
whilst hundreds of horses were tetbered UNI
der the trees and plentifully provided with
forage. Such were the general outlines of
most interesting and beautiful scene.
Where, indeed, could SO magnificent a
temple TO the Lord be raised as on this lofty
hill, crowned as il was with such majestic
verdure. Compared with these giants of
the forest, the cabins and tents of the null
itude appeared as Insignificant as almost
would man himself IN the presence OF The
Deity. Many generations of men must
have been moved down before the arrival
Of these enormous trees 10 their present state
Of maturity aud at the time they sent forth
their first shoots, probably there were not
on the whole OF this continent, now teem-
ing with millions, as many white men rs are
now assembled on this field. ] walked
about for some time viewing the panorama,
when | returned to the area, and took my
seat upon bench. In one quarter the col
orcd population had collected themselves F;
their tents appeared TO be better furnished
and better supplied with comforts than most
Of those belonging TO the whites. lput my
head into one of the tents, and discovered
a sable damsel lying on bed, and singing
hymns in loud voices the major portion OF
those not in the area were cooking the din
ners. Fires were burning in every dircc-
ton pots boiling, chickens roasting, hams
seethIng indeed there appeared to be nc
want Of creature comforts.
Rot ,n,s trumpet sounded as in days Of
wore, as a signal that the service was about
TO rccommence, and , went into the area
and took my seat One ot the preachers
rose and gave out the hymn, which wa
sung by the congregation, amounting 10 a
bout seven or eight hundred. After the sing
ing Of the HYMN was concluded, he com
menced an eNtempore sermon; II was good
sound doctrine, and, although Me,hodIsm
Of the miidest tone, and Invested OF It's bit
ierness of denuncia tlon, as indeed IS gener
ally the case with Methodism in America
heard nothing which could be offensive to
any other sect, or which could be consider
ed Objectionable by the most orthodox, anI
began 10 doubt whether such scenes as la,
been described TO me did really take place
al these meetings. A prayer followed, an'
after about two hours, the congregation
were dismissed TO their dinners, being frs
informed that the service would recon
mence al two O'Clock at the sound of III
trumpet. In front of the pulpit there va
space rallied off, and strewed with straw
which was told was the Anxious Seat, an
on which sat those who We're touched b
their conseiences, or the discourse of IN
pEescae. but, although there were sever
sitting on il, did not perceive al emoiio
on the part Of the occupants; they were a
ieniive--nothing more.
When frs, examined the area, saw
large tent at one corner oft probably nh
feet long by twenty wide. II was open