The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-08
THE NATIONAL CAMP MEETING.
The Meihod'sfs in Camp nj Round I.alse-A
City in the Hemiock WoodS-Over N Thom-
sand Tents the Ground-The Opening Ex-
ercises-Full Details.

sauu IeutS ON tue CrOuud-Vho Oueutn& Ex.
ercises-Fuli Details.
ROUND LAKE, n. v, July 7, 1892
Those who never attended q Methodist camp
meeting have missed one Of the most Interesting
ana pleasant events OF the day Ever since the or
ganizaton Of the Meth odst Episcopal Church in this
country has been the practice OF the members OF the
Church to encamp in the woods for a period OF o
week during the summer months, ana to devote all
their attention to religious worship. In the south
ern States these meetings possessed extraordinary
interest. In addition to the usual attractions or
camping in the forests, the Southern aristocrac-,
which turned out 70 such gatherings en-
ma8se. gave to the scene an air Of ELEGANCE
places; and the colored population, which always
had share Of the time allotted to them,
specially for their exercises entering into the spirit
OF the occasion with all the demonstratve fervor Of
their nature each day presented q spectacle that
drew thousands OF ooRers-on about Them The stem
t0rian voices OF the men and farreaohng shouts OF
the women In those colOred meetings; their "wrest-
lings with the spirit" in the straw among the
benches; their frantic aud unceasing leaps 'under
the power" until they fell PROSTATE and
insenslble, to he prayed and sung over as
special objects of divine favor; their imprisoned
prayers, full Of poetic imagery and their sOnOrous
songs, formed peculiar feature OF religious life In
the South, and made an Impression upon the visitor
that lasted years after all other incidents OF the &C.
casion had faded INTO oblivion. The rebellion for
time put an end to these meetings. and
when after the war they were resumed,
so great q change had taken place in
the social circles OF the South and IN The relations
between the Two races tHas ther sh th re,goui
warmth which previously rendered them so at
tractive.
A NATIONAL CAMP MEETING,
at which every Conference OF the Methodist Episco
pal Church in the United States should be annually
represented was proposed soon after the c.ose OF
tonal Methodist Encampment was held
at vineland N. J. In 1868 the Methodsts held their
which 1t was decided to hold the next one at the
present location, Round Lake, n. \. Both tile meet
nss % 1887 and iss he o
and proved SO successful in every respect thai the
annual recurrence OF these great religious gatherings
composed OF eighteen distinguished divines selected
from various sections OF the country, and presided
~ has Charge e and IN u
lar on the subject define their object as folows:--
The special design Of this meeting is 70 awaken deeper
~ se sns he eooea ssna OF the
Methodist Episcopal Church and By
continued and prayer and thorough heart ssarehns
wha the se ss ". have
believers better spiritual life and arss them
The great NUMBER Nam
helm should encourage the people 10 bring their unson
ton Our experience and observation have amply demon
that the wors o. % spaa ana
success.
is beautiful sheet OF water midway on the line OF
the Troy and Saratoga Railroad and in the heart Of
one OF the most picturesque sections Of the country
Forty acres OF hemlOck and beech woods on the Dor
ders OF the lake were purchased two years ago by
an association Incorporated by the State legls
Association" and laid out IN the most eIa5o
rate manner into permanent avenues and
streets, with plats for cottages, tents &c.
Shareholders in the association allowed for their
own private use ground for cottage or tent fifteen
by twenty feet free Of rent. The trustees desire to
any one person to have over Two or three shares.
The whole amount OF scrip Is no; to exceed 325 900,
over onehalf OF which has already been subscribed.
The trustees, by their president and treasurer,
may Issue scrip payable as the interest Of the asso
citation WIN permit, to the amount OF $4,000, to
be divided into shares OF 500 each bearing interest
not exceeding seven per cent per annum, "a the
balances In the hands OF the treasurer may justify
after meeting all legal claims against the association
All surplus or excess after making such improve
ments on the grounds and public buildings as the
interests Of the organization demand shall be paid
the trustees OF the Troy Conference for the benefit
OF the conference claimants. Churches are allowed
TO subscribe to the funds OF the association and 10
vote on the same principle a. individual Subscribers,
and may be represented by their district steward
pastor, as their quarterly conference may direct.
This ground having been liked upon as the size for
this years national camp meeting extensive ar
rangements were made 10 accommodate the vast
assembage which the occasion calls together. EEK
cursiOn tickets TO the encampment are sold on most
OF the great railroad lines of The country, and some
Of the roads convey tents aud baggage for the
meeting free OF charge. several hundred extra
tents With furniture complete. are reserved BY the
committee for rent at reasonable prices TO visitors
from abroad, and excellent board Is furnished at a
number OF large establishments at one dollar per
day for three DAYS and upwards. fine market, q
telegraph express and post ONCE, drug store, Il
tachment OF Metropolitan police from Troy, are To-
Gated on the principal avenues, aud good water
flows ON every hand from drinking fountains
Everything Is convenient and In order and already,
on the first day OF the meeting the place resembles
more small city than a congregation Of wor
shippers.
The HERALD correspondent left New ors on the
morning OF the 9Th, In company with large number,
joined the party from the Eastern States and NJ Troy
the tide Of passengers To the meeting became so
great as 70 delay the train nearly an honr with ar
travellers and baggage. The tram on leaving
Troy presented curious spectacle All the
cars were crowded Win camp meeting folks,
carrying camp chairs mirrors, rolls of blankets,
baskets of lunch and parcels Of every description
Linen busters and straw hats gave air OF cooiness
comfort TO everybody, and, except for spasnOdic
conversation respecting the expected great revival,
the pa rty seemed more like picnic excursion than
a move for ten days into the wilderness. Che bag
gage and freight department., however presented n
very uUtYfn aspect. fBtS Vi chnNH-s, bStll I0tp5
boxes, barrels Of provisions, furniture, Saratoga
trunks, hair TRUNKS, bound with ropes, carpet bags
bandboXes, bundles, NC, made up tho assortment
around which the owners distracedly rushed, and in
the midst OF winch the baggage men ntrenchet
themselves TO deliver the property. Arriving at the
station, were found ID readiness TO convey the
baggage to the eucanpuent, about 100 yards dis
tant, where the President OF the Round Lake AesO-
ciation received all aud assigned 10 them their
spectlve quarters.
THE CAJpGROUND
IL admirably located IN the mist of n dense forest
OF heinock and beec,, from which al upderbrush
has been carefully rotaoVeu The avenues aud streets
are all plainly designated by having their respective
names permanently attached 10 the trees at every
angle or the thorougbfares, and large lamps
stantia posts render the grounds as light at night
a. most VI the New YORK streets As the
head Of the main entrance TO the camp
Is large square with fountain In the centre, and
the post Office aud other public Institutions around
10. On the second door above the post oice Is tine
ONCE Of the managers, ana on the outside OF the
building II large photographic map " the grounds
with q directory OF ghe rules and privileges Of the
encampment.
The stand Is a fine structure with seats rising