The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-09-10
Scene at Camp Meeting in Texas
the Clergyman in Arms.

~ correspondent OF INC lcNaS CnrlStlan
Advocate furnishes the following exciting
incident:
At the Texas camp meeting | witness
cd scene seldom witnessed at such pIa
ces. The presiding elder, JAS. L. Fureu
son, at tho commencement of the meeting
published the usual rules intended to GOV.
ern such meetings. One of these rule.
was that the gentlemen should not 81,
among the ladies, and converse with them
during service. This rule was repeatedly
disregarded indeed, by considerable,
number, no attention WAS paid TO it at all
Repeated remonstrances were addressed
to them from the pulpit, but they did nc
good.
On Sunday morning at eight o'clock
Rev. J. w. Shipman preached and dur
ing tho service he and his hearers were
greatly annoyed by audible conversation
between ladies and gentlemen. At the
close of the service Mr.. Ferguson, in few
remarks on the improprety of such con
duct, int'mated, with some plainness, that
1t WAS "a mark OF i'll. breeding" This
gave offence to Young gentleman, re.
Gently from Kentucky. About dinner
time he attacked Mr.. FuIguson, acompa.
MED by his friends, in pretty rough Ian
guage. He was told that the remark was
genera! applied to all who were guilty
of such conduct--and not aimed at him
personally, as Mr.. Ferguson did not know
him. lie was farther told however. that
the dcnunciation of the conduct in quas-
ton could not he rctractcd. In reply to
the denial that the remark was aimed a,
any particular person, Mr.. Ferguson was
called liar to his face, and threatened
with further attention.
The excitement soon spread over the
camp ground, and was greatly increased
by the circulation OF ,he ,Lre.. ,L,, Mr.
Ferguson would not be allowed to enter
the pulpit at the three o'clock service un
less he agreed TO make n public apology.
10 this, | suppose, Mr. Ferguson was not
much inclined. But he WAS not called on
TO decide in reference to it; for the preach
ers present and the tent holders declared
that ne should make no apology, and that
he should enter the pulpit. 1t was found
tliat the young gentleman in question and
hls friends we've stationed near The pulpit
and 1t was asserted that many men wou;i
support them.
Times became exciting as the crisis ap-
preached. The preachers retired to their
tent tor consultation. 1t was determined
that nothing rash or hastv should he done
and that no unkind word should be spo
Ken But 1t was unanimously resolved
mat MIR. Furguson should go to the pul-
PIT, ano that every preacher present
shou'd support him i'll the attempt by
iorce' II 1t became necessary. Mr.. Fergn.
son and the minister who WAS to preach
AT that hour were lett alone in the tent
inc rest went 10 The stand and took their
seats.
AT length the two former approached.
Hhen about tifteon PAGES from the pulpit
the young gentleman rose up to meet Mr..
Ferguson, and placing hand on each
ShO"!der, Told him he could not enter the
Pu'P't without making an apology. He
was informed that it could not be done
Mr. Ferguson not stopping, the young
man walked along with HIM hnIi;n,,
MS 'e't aim, insisting, in low tone, on
an apology, and getting Tie above men
tloned repiy IN the same tone. When
ABOUT hVe PAGES from the pulpit he made
IN attempt to stop Mr.. Ferguson, vche-
'hent,y' though still in 3 low tone, de-
ihahdlng an apology.
Al th"t moment, such force suddenly
rose up around him as utterly overwbelm.
co nm one man Jerked his hand loose
rom Mr. fergusons arm. Another con-
,toh,ed ,% u,iI;, i.m and said. ale shall go into
Po'ees ouf r'sh'S. Another man Of enor-