Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-08-18
From the New York Globe. ]
Round Lake,
TABERNACLE-A LOVE FEAST
IN THE WOODS.

"Tsrael in tents" could scarcely find q
more delightful location for their ''feast
--r>4-,
luxury of religious enjoyment, than this
spot affords. Directly on the line of the
Rensselaer, and Saratoga Railroad, six
miles from MechanicsvIlle, six miles from
Ballston, twelve miles from SARATOGA
Springs, eighteen miles from Troy, and
twenty-four miles from Albany, and far
| removed from the Objectionable vicinity
| of village or hamlet population, its means
of access cannot be surpassed. EOrty-two
| acres of land, shaded most abundantly by
pine, hemlock, oak and other forest trees,
slopes gently upward from the railroad
depot to the centre, and then down again
| to Round Lake, clear and beautiful ex-
| panse of water, taking its name from its
circular shape. Nature has furnished
most perfect oval ampitheatre on the sum
NIT and centre of the grade, thirty feet
above the level of the lake, which is occu-
pied by the preaching stand and audience
circle. The benches are more than usu-
ally comfortable, and the preachers pulpit
is the most complete of any in the
State, having a cupola and bell surmount-
ing the roof. A large canvas awning, 40
by 100 feet in extent, canopies the space
in front, shielding the worshippers alike
from sun and showers. The arrange
ments-even to an altar-railing-are as
finished and excellent as can be provided
in such leafy temple. There are also
number of cottages, a large tabernacle
lodge" two stores, telegraph, post office,
and railroad depot; all neat, tasty, and
convenient. About one hundred tents
dot the ground this year, all of which
have been occupied. A conduit leads an
ample supply Of water-cool, sparkling,
and pleasantly tinged with the tonic OF
iron-for distance of three quarters of
mile from hillside spring, and distri-
butes it over the grounds. A drinking |
fountain jets forth glittering spray-drops |
to height of about fifteen feet. Another |
mineral spring, very strongly saturated |
with iron, furnishes stimulating draughts |
to thirsty and needy invalids. A pleasant |
short walk along gravelled paths leads to
the lake landing, where boats are provid- |
ed for rOwers or fishers. This beautiful |
sheet of water is fringed with pretty |
groves, through which, beyond, are seen
lovely pictures of green fields, rich with
verdure, or waving with the breeze their
wealth of golden grain About $4,000
has been expended on this property, and
improvements are being added every
year. During the present season of ten
days just ended, the place has been
thronged with visitors, many of whom
are Saratogian sojourners, who
come and go at will on the
trains, four of which pass each way. It is
a great relief to body and mind
to escape from the gay scenes and follies,
and clouds of dust and incessant agita-
ton and noise of Saratoga, and pass the
time here in the quiet shade of this great
forest cathedral, with its cool breezes and
aroma of fresh foliage, and pleasant sail
ing on the ripping waters of the adjacent
lake. Even apart from the religious tint
OF the scene, it is far preferable to the
more staId and sober, who seek recupera-
ton and repose in healthful rustication
rather than the extravagant, frivolous I'M
rest and display of fashionable resorts, to
seek 1t here. The item of expense. too.
is marvelously smaller, for tent hire is
cheap, and good board but one dollar per
day. There are some persons who claimI
to have experienced equal benefit from
the iron mineral springs here, as from the
several kinds of water at Saratoga. The
attendance this year has not been as large
as was expected, although it numbers a {
total quite well up into the thousands.
June seems to be too early to draw out
the tent jewellers, many of whom are kept
at home by the exigences of agricultural
and commercial pursuits. Yet the results
have been gratifying, the religious fervor I
has been deep, and the work of conversion I
effective. The most delightful weather s
has favored this session, neither showers I
nor pleasant breezes having been scarce. |
The final meeting and all the attendant I
of this years session were
most suspicious. The morning was rich i