The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-08-04
CAMP MEETING AT LEBANON.

talns, and gliding around the city of Reading
10 the southwest the traveller is struck with tue
striking difference in the formation of the land
which exists between the Lebanon valley aud
that of the Schuylkill. The Schuylkill is all
boldness-rocks of gigantic proportions meet
the eye in every direction and mountains whose
peaks seem to tip the sky obstruct the view of
the country beyond. Here and there some plea
SAINT little valleys, deep in the shadows of the
overhanging mountains, present themselves,
!, only to be again lost in a moment among the
rocks and oaks which stand like grim sentincls
as though guarding these laps of nature from
the storms of heaven or the tread of the
aggressor
What difference marks the Lebanon Valley.
Here all is mild and peaceful. Broad fields oc.
casionally softened by gentle hills spread them
selves on every side, and scarcely a rock, worthy
of the name presents itself. Away off in the dis
tance stand the mountains, enrobed in deep
green and outlining themselves against the
horizon, forming the natural fence which sepa-
4 rates the valley from the higher lands beyond.
Fields glittering in the golden stubble; barn
whose beauty and magnitude guarantee the worl
palatial, fringe and dot the landscape wherever
the eye chooses to wander and present view
which, if seen under a foreign sun, would be
visited, talked and written about by men and
women who seem to live only to see the beauty
in things which are pointed out to them by those
who have preceded them.
Passing swiftly along through some of the
cleanest and neatest villages, and on a railroad
which comes nearer to being airline than
any road in the State, the town of Lebanon is
soon reached, and we take a hack for the
eagle" where mine host Siegrist awaits
with smiling face, your orders. Refreshed by
an abluton and good solid dinner, we again
! take N thp hack and bnhin6 n ya1y mir Of
mules Ga team not very fast but decidedly sure)
we are off for the camp meeting.
mile northwest from the town, on the Jones'
Il town road, is the camp. 1t is situated in n fine
a grove of oaks on the south side of the road, adj
J joining the beautiful grounds of Mr.. Coleman.
Ascending the slight eminence ON which the
camp is situated, the Imagination is carried back
to the days of the war by the long lines of tents
y and plain deal board houses which are spread
fbefore him. The camp is regularly laid out in
an oblOng square, and combines both comfort
and convenience. At the front of the camp, facing
inward is the pulpit or stand, looking out upon
rows of benches, and taking in at a glance the
whole camp. Directly in front and close to the
stand is a small space enclosed by light fence.
This is used by the members of the camp,
although visitorsEare permitted, nay, invited to
enter, if they desire. On the left, looking
from the stand the members from Lebanon,
while on the right are those of Dauphln county.
In the rear line of tents are those from different
y places, as well as those from the counties here
mentioned. In this line find the tent of Mr..
Theodore Owes, of Green Street Church. in your
city, and few familiar Philadelphia faces meet
me as wander about the grounds.
In the rear of some of the tents cooking stoves
send up their smoke, and shining culinary uten-
sils grace the trees. Two large restaurants are
II tl,o Nyha those m orc wit bn
necessary arrangements for preparing their own
! food may refresh the inner man or woman, as
"A the case may be. Each of these restaurants is
n capable of seating over q hundred persons, and
am informed that on Sunday last they were
i kept constantly filed for over two hours, such
was the throng of hungry people who visited the
camp.
The day is divided into different parts, each
of which has its duty. Services commence early
4 in the morning and continue until 10 o'clock in
the evening" at which time those who are no
members of the camp are expected to leave the
grounds. A large police force is constantly in
attendance, and good order has been maintained
throughout the session. Up to yesterday it was
the intention to keep the camp up until Thurs
day of next week, but the impression now pre-
walls that the affair will be brought to close on
Friday next. The management of the camp
and in fact everything about it, is under
the management of Mr. r. II. Pattison, Presi-
ding Elder of the district, assisted by board of
managers and some twenty odd ministers The
"good work" has progressed most satisfactorily
during the meeting, and ''many sinners have
been brought ito isee the error of their ways and
- seek the road which leads to everlasting peace.
A camp-meeting such as this may be Justly
termed religious picnic, and for those who en-
10Y a few days in the woods nothing GER
tainly be more inviting. One would suppose, if
he had never seen it, that camp-meeting life was
fraught with many disagreeable situations,
but such is not the case. Peeping in at some Of
the tents, was greatly astonished to view the
neatness and evident comfort which prevailed
Most of them were carpeted, and neatly, though
sparsely furnished One or two indulged in thu
luxury of bureau; these, | imagine, are thu
aristocracy Gf such thing exists at a camp
meeting) of the assemblage. The whitest coun
terpanes and blankets overspread comfortable
looking beds, and as we leave the grounds tn
merry voices of romping girls and boys are tn
the lasts ounds which reach our ears. May the.
+ ever be happy
The city is full of strangers, and for this tim
of year may be considered as doing good bust
ness Most of the hotels have their complement
OF visitors and I am informed by those iron
the surrounding country that heavier crops hav
been gathered this year than has been know
for many years. This place was laid out a
early as 1850 by George Steitz, after whom
81 was called 'Steitztown," which name il kept 70
siXt y-fye years 1t was then changed to leba
non, which name it has retained for fifty si
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