Plymouth advertiser. [volume] (Plymouth, Ohio) 1853-1988, 1855-02-09
FrOr tie 81. EoRp R,PbsIioaH.
ORIGIN OF CAMP MEETINGS.

~&e&<@ ~ SAAAAA Aa&-<IH AAHSS
Religious Erciteme,I at Hem IN East Tam
essee-TRe Falling Erercise-TRs Jerk
ing Erereise-The Barking Exercise, dc.
Ertr0Vdgonce Of the Females.
We hea- now and then Of the strange
effects which were produced upon persons
and whole communities in olden times BY
religious excitement, and the peculiar
phenomena which marked periods Of relig-
ious fervor among simple people. In a
recent lecture before the Mercantile Libra
~ Association of b 7ston, Rev. Wm. II.
Milburn gave general description of the
early preachers of the West, particularly
of Kentucky, and made a selection of a
few characters to illustrate the prevailing
traits Of the whole. No part of the coua-
try has witnessed such schisms in the
churches, and such wild and .alatical de-
lusiOns in connection with religious teach
ing, as the States Of Kentucky AMI Tenn
eSsee. The statements made by Rev. Mr..
Milburn were doubtless correct. So far as
they went; but the selection of a few indi-
viduals as an index of the general charac-
ter OF the western preachers OF that time,
gives very incorrect idea of the actual
facts:
Some years since, during temporary
residence Of few months in the State of
Kentucky, Glanced to have an oppcrtu-
nifty of examining a historical work, which
is there acknowledged as the best authori-
ty and in which noticed many of the in
teresting statements with regard to that
early time, which so to indicate that there
was avaStamount of imperfection connect
ed with many of those whose characters
were delineated under the heading of Sad
die Bags Some of the incidents of that
day and region are scarcely credible on ac-
count of the strange perversion Of the hui
man intellect which they show. The
churches were torn and wasted for years
by intestine teuds, and in consequence Of
the dissenslons then existing among the
churches, infdelity prevailed throug ghout
that whole region. The writer to whom
l have referred, says that nearly half of
the ministers of that period were at one
time and another subject to church ccnsure
for various faults
Camp meetings originated among the
Presbyterians of Kentucky. The first
camp meeting was held near Goosbury
river, in July, 1900. The ministers pres
ent were Messrs. McGready, William Nc.
Gre, and Mr.. Hoge. The author, whose
language | quote, says: "Camp meet.
!n5s orlnS once introduced, theplan spread
like wildiire. The lahore. Quilted his
task, the youth forgot his pastime, the
plough was left in the furrow, age snatch
ed his crutch, the deer enjoyed respite
upon the mountains, business Of all kinds
was suspended, dwelling houses were de-
serted. whole neighborhoods were empti-
ed, bold hunters and sober matrons, young
men and mailens and little children flock
Ell to the common centre Of attraction: cv.
cry difficulty was encountered, every risk
vcntured to be present at the camp-maet.
ing.
In connection with these camp meetings
a great variety of strange exercises grew
up. Children ten or twelve years of age
were prominent actors. Under paroxysms
of feeling, persons fell down, and this was
called the falling exercise There were
also 'the jerking exercise the rolling,
and the barking exercise besides Wis
ions and frances At Cabin Greek
camp meeting, May %, 1901, so many
fell on the third night, that, to prevent
their being trod on, they were laid out on
one side Of the meeting house floor, like sc
many corpses. At Boons Creek sacra.
ment two hunderd fell; at Pleasant Point
there hundred fell, at Pleasant Point
three hundred, and at Cane Ridge three
thousand, August 6, 1901. It is sait
that children, eight months old, were affec
ted by those strange influences.
The first influence of the Jerking exer-
cise,' was at sacrament at East Tennessee
Persons would be jerked in all directions
and over whatever object happened to be
in the way. They were always left tc
themselves, because the people said thai
to oppose them would be to resis
the influences of the Spirit of God
Sometimes those who had long hair, it i.
said, that their heads jerked so swiftly
that their hair snapped like the crack OF
whip. 1t is said that none were iniur
ed except those who rebelled against the
operation of the Spirit and refused to com
ply with the injunctlons it came to enforce
Some who went to the meetings witt
whips in their hands to fog others, hat
their whips jerked out their hands.
In the rolling exercise they doubled
up and rolled over and over; and it made
no difference whether there was mud Of
filth of any kind in the way. In the run.
ming exercise they would run over every
obstacle and keep running till quite ex
hausted.
In the dancing exercise writer O
that time says they had the privilege ofex
hibiting, by bold faith, what others wer'
moved by blind impulse. In one in
stance, a Mr.. Thompson, a minister, com
menced dancing after meeting, and dane
i ed an hour and half; and said he, 'Thi
is the Holy Ghostr A girl danced fo
an hour in an empty pew, and other
danced in so violent a manner that they
could not be held by strong men.
The writer whom I quote says: 'On
might be tempted to think that the china,
had already been reached, but there was
piece Of extravagance to complete the de
|, gradation of human nature. The 'barks
frequently accompanied the Jerks thoug1
nf 1atar orioin TIL. II .