The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-16
TINE LONG ISLAND CAMP MEETING.

Tho Camp n Ntght-Thousands Of Forvent
Worshippers in Attendance-Sunday I'm the
Camp and Those Who Went There.
Yesterday the Long Island camp meeting at Mer.
mex reached ns elimination in point Of the mum.
bers present and the ervor and interest manifested
by the assembled thousands In the religious services
of the occasion. But for the RAIN which fell heavily
during the preceding night, and the threatening as.
pect Of the eloud-covered sky on Sunday morning
the numbers In attendance would doubtless have
been very much greater but even as IL was there
could not have been fewer than 1000 people present
during the day
When the camp meeting opened on Tuesday last
the arrangements for the accommodation of large
number OF regular attendants mad not been com.
pleted. BY Saturday, however. the camp had been
placed in perfect order and presented as the writer
approached it on Saturday evening, very striking
and picturesque appearance. AS one entered Sc
mons grove, large tents, some Of them OF wood and
canvas, met the view TO the right and lett. Passing
up long, winding pathway in the woods, blaze OF
light suddenly burst on the views the visitor found
himself In broad avenue lined with tents on each
side, and before proceeding far the attention was
arrested by tent different from the rest inasmuch
as 1t was richly and profusey decorated and
festooned with flowers, and presented a very
handsome appearance. This was the police tent.
There were eight .pohce officers from Brooklyn
under the command Of Sergeant T. j. Cornell OF the
FOrtyfirst precinct present. The Sergeant and his
men were without exception courteous and efficient
a
fttie distance beyond the police tent the visitor
found himself In large square space, lined all
Goes Win tents and having at the further end the
preacner's desk, While the space itself was filed
Win six long rows Of benches ior ne accommoda.
tion oil worshppers. The main avenue, leading up
70 the camping ground, was designated as Broad
way. There were about $50 tents occupied by not
less tnan LOCO regular soJourners at the camp meet
But what most arrested the attention vas the
large crowd OF devouto0king listeners 10 an ear
nest exhortation from the Rev. Mr.. Terry. Genuine
flnfn
utmost zeal was manifested by all In Joining IN the
prayers and psalms. From other tents preaching
could be heard and hymns OF praise resounded
which, rising on the still air from temple of wor.
ship whose roof was formed by oyerarohinp trees
produced on the thoughtful mind very impressive
effect. On Saturday night about one thousand add.
t0nal visitors canped on the ground. At ten o. clock
the gong Leng all retired TO their quarters and Ia
short time silence reigned over the camp.
Dawn broke with torrents OF rain falling but this
did not damp the feryor OF the multitude From
early morning until seven O'Clock psalms and exhor
sations could be heard from the tents app roprated
TO the various congregations. To those who have
never been present az camp meeting II would be
picture OF the ferv0r which characterizes tie pro.
Ceedipgs In one OF these tents The majority of wor-
shippers were people Of the middle and Number
has evidently genuine significance and over whom
u has real power. Old and young were assembled
9ious zeal. The cynic might laugh contemptuo,isy
~ the demonstratvs way In which their religious
Feelings were manifested; but Of Its warmth and
Genes were indescribably touching Here sat
young girl with lace Oil aglow with religious
!ah and ferv0r and there an old white haired man.
Vie MS aged wife leaning on his shoulder, and the
neads and bodies Of both bent down In meek and
Time to time IN sobs and tears AS some Of the speak
ets sentiments, expressed IN language whose best
eoquence was lite heartfelt sincerity, went home to
sher hearts. The usual morning pray r meetings In
the yafions tents were over by seven O'clock and
the majority Of the people betook themselves to
breakfast. Many OF them, who had their own tents
had prepared their own food; others nastened
10 The various tents, at which, at uniform and
MODERATE prices, refreshments could be procured,
aver breakfast the various congregations resumed