The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-08-23
METHODIST CAMP MEETING.

METHODIST CAMP MEETING.
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Origin and History OF Camp Meetings The
EncamPmsnt Mt Turner's-A Profitable
SpscS lalion- what the Brethsen do with
the moncy--A Convention to ne Called
some or our City Fathers on the Grouud-
An Alderman Ress very Happy-A I.sadi"g
Member or the Bar sson ProbatiOn"-D Dis
tlsguishsd ninisters--A Scrseching sister
Warm Oiscussion--A Financial Appeal
thrilling Observation-Disclosures Sammy
Sings "asppy Day" &c., De.
The annual joint camp meeting of the New York and
Now York Eat Conferences Of the Methodist EpiscopAl
church was duly commenced Monday last, August II,
at about half mile from Turner's stasion, on the New
York and Erie Railroad, and rerty eight miles from this
city, Terminating Saturday morning with extraordinary
religious exercises the be.hren aud sisters" continuing
the whole Of Friday nj lht In singing, praying and Other
characteristic ceremonies Our reporter arrived at The
camp ground On Thursdsy, and remained till the close OF
the meeting BE Iur nshea The auburcd graphio
Of the appearance Of the encampment the order OF
cises, together with the and incidents on the
ground r,efacrg with brief history OF the origin OF
scamp meetings." and synopsis Of the arguments adj
docet In favor ofand the objections urged against this dig
tn Give feature Of this influential denomination by aiargc
OF RcDefenb. advOoates Oh 'pecuilaF
institution" affirm that tho "brcthreu aud ssters who
differ from them In regard to the benefits and advantages
to be derived fssm this "means OF grace" have become
fashionable and arisooaic- thai they pnovaors Ani
have departed from the "good old way while they re-
tort with much vehemencs and pertuacity that Ii cir
od fogies and creators Of needless excite
ment But we win Leave thom discussing the merits Of
the camp meeting, while proceed 10 give rapid sketch
Of
ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY.
Tho told fcsiee," (roi very sanemopous appeiaucn,
must confess but which has been given them by
their opponents In the discussion OF this topic maintain
that grove meetings instituted by God himself and
the authority Of The Bible 10 be relied on their position
would seem 10 be mpyegnsbe for that volume informs
that In the distant past the ancient saees used to dwell
"sven days booths made Of the boshs OF goody trees
branches Of palm trees and the boushs of thick trees
willows Of the brook, to reocs before the Lord" These
religious gatherings are pre- emlnenty designed for
the exercise Of the feelings emotional nature, In
contr, distinction from the reasoning intellectual
faculties, will DO by reference 70 their
origin and history up the present tme Camp meetings
wero commenced by the Presbyterians, Bspusk and
Aethodts, In this country, and they held their ars. meet
ing the banks OF the Red river the Sta Of Kentucky
In the year 1899 Thus the "nsttututon which have
eesAyed 10 depict, and which We believe the seqae will
show TO be "pecuar one, originated In the South Two
brothers, named EcGee-onc Methodist and the other
Preeby erian-le Tennessee religious expedition 70
Ohio and while ouTneyrg arrIod at settlement the
10 participate In Amental exercises Tho Motho
brother accepted cordial nvau 70 hold FORTH and
tho Presby terrain also complied with the request Their ad
dresses are ead 70 have produced remarkable effects
much that 'he RETIRED MOI being able 70
tho Neshod urged repeat his dseourSe, but
cused himself saying hal he could MOI do account Of
crs.ss By -e.s pioneers said 70 Dsve been ainSesc
bable the cccasop Was erfal and the reAull
parHllelsa." Thousands nocked from tho surround
movement, providing Themselves with the eQui.
page necessary for dwelling in tents, na forgetting
tina, this sens Die practice strictly observed now dsys
for perceived Tina. the tables In the 'rcfrashu
tenn" o. his camp meeting Iroansd beneath t. load of
daues furnished FOR the brethren and sisters I'm mediate
After they bad received spiritual nourlshment These
gatherings were originally styled general camp moot
envy among the bro,hrep which has been productive
IN Reperstiog the wide differences that kco
highways leading ~ The groves where tho nrs meeting
were held were thronged with men, and
children In evory conceivable kiad Of vehicles and that
In Instances villages completely deserted by
ihtr inhabitants all bong attracted By Curiosity 10 the
camp ground. On Of thcse occsaIots In Kentucky
was Estimated thai not lees ihan twenty ihousand
we're present; ard We are Informed that large numee
Of Presbyterian nnlsiere who had formerly Heed with
ont hope IN tie world fell upon tho ground like saul OF
Tsrsus, yet from oher they deemed IL pru
cen, 70 retire from The Heid but The Mcthodsx continued
10 held heir meetiugsn yaous parts Of the coany, win
all their native arior, TIL they have been Incorporates
part parcel OF their system and notwithstanding op-
poson from Influential quarters, have been maintained
with more or less efficiency III the prosens time.
Various are the Arguments brousni forward by The Ai-
vocses Of these meetings In favor or ID sir parpciuatou.
hey affirm that In pleading for these monster bages
they only pursue tho course which educational and p0t
cal ociaons adopt, and Aguo TIA, n secular bodies
hold conventions set up msss meetings, print flaming pa
cares advertise dnoeuihod speskrs and resort 10 CLAP
flnn In md han
eqra right 10 hold grand central conversations and thus
animate each other by Ih.ir presene. In juIce 10 the
brethren, must bai, unlike The projectors OF
meetings. they do advertise The nanos o.
Der OF "disipguBhed speakers" whom they consult
ed and whose absence aologzet for ct the commence
ment OF the proceedings by "pevious engagement"
Anou er argun eni II that the chief fundamentally
which Jehovsh u,ed to uoic bis ancIopt pcope In the
bonds Of fellow hip, The ordination Of fesa which
qur them 10 copgroga and hold social intercourse
The holy City and that when they became wicked their
return to hcte festivals Wa insuumen In their rostors
ton 10 union.
Tbey sflrm that In TIE temple made with baud, they
are compelled 10 be formal aaa 10 sy - certain
The ponp and parade OF fashionable city churches
Iure, osn ample, BY 81 ing full vent 10 The ouirushngs
Of their feefpg' that secular cmploymens take up
mrch time thai when the sbbsib arrives mind ana BODY
much ded src perpercd 10 prevep, them fixing
ihev minds on religious sutj cs-iha their minds
rejoice ,tcces,fn osrs sin weep sccoun, Of
heavy failure, While sitting IN their pew, and that while
Grovelins here below,
Fond ot these cs'thly toys
and argue the reoessy OF bolcng p0rsc,ed season, n
devotion IN order 10 rrem their spiritual dcveo
they stJ that ire tendency OF Christians 10 b.cssi do
IN rtmsrkAbls--iha, asa kmcnnblc truth that larss
portion Of ali Who "oonverisd" n,or allow
the spiritual Thermometer 10 descend N tho oeEng put
while many far below zero, and believe csmO meet
ipss TO b, senary In "fAnriss the dJipg en-
heis OF PIE into life Hs said too ths city min
sters, when 10 the PROVE thros anoe al o,nSsnan,l
forms, and produce astounding effects By their cratocs
powers
me camp meeting advocates assert that In Consequence
Of the social educational and parental associations winch
surround SINNERS taken Ia connection with the spshy
Of the church members, numbers oanr tact religion" ut
home and many OF them have been 20 benevolent "
foot the bill Of particular individuals whom uey Induced
10 40 to camp meeting believing that their return they
would have scquired sufficient courage TO ego their
way rejoicing" large majority Of preachers have been
converted s camp moctng-anorg the rest Dr. Fisk, OF
New Frgland celebrity,
We may note few Of the objections which the msior
portion Of the Intellectual and a.tocrsto members Ct the
Methodist DENOMINATION have 70 camp meetings. While
they admit that meetings necessary and pro
per half century ago, they degy their expodieRy the