The Portland daily press., 1871-08-12
The Methodist state Camp Meeting ut
Richmond. or ~
CAMP GROUND, Aug. IL

.,... CAMP GROUND, Aug. IL, 1871.
To the Editor of the Press 'rL
Leaving Portland on the a. m. train this
morning, after pleasant and agreeable ride of
about three hours, we arrived at the camp
meeting ground, which is very pleasantly stu
ated on the west bank of the Kennebec river
about three miles north of Richmond Village.
Itconsists of large and commodious groye.
within whose shady recesses there is ample ac-
com mediation for the large number of persons
who were in attendance There are at present
about 200 tents upon the ground, and about
1900 persons in attendance. The tents are not
arranged in any particular form, but are plac-
ed promiscuously to suit the taste and conven-
fence of the occupants, There are several neat
and comfortable cottages also in position upon
the ground, which present an attractive and
-homelike appearance. The exercises consist of
preaching three times a day, interspersed with
social meetings during the intermissions This
morning the exercises opened with the usual
prayer meeting, which was conducted with
great fervor and enthusiasm. The entire COM
paoy Joined in the singing, and the utmost in
terest was manifested in all the exercises
The sermon was delivered by the Rev. c. F.
Allen of Bangor, the newly elected President
of the Agricultural College, from text in Ro-
mans, Is: IA. 1t was a clear able and scholar
ly argument in favor of entire conservation to
the service OF Christ, and against any partial
or half way policy. At the close of the sermon
a large number of earnest and fervid exhorta-
tions we're given, and the exercises of the fore
noon closed with the Benediction. During the
noon intermission prayer meetings were held
in the various tents, which were well attended
and were very interesting in character. We
understand that the session has been through
out very interesting and profitable, and has
served to bring together in a closer bond of
Christian fellowship the various branches of
the Methodist Church in the State of Maine.
As one of the speake RS remarked this morning
it is genuine down-east Camp Meeting, free
from the conventionalities of fashionable re.
straint, and exhibits all the distinctive charac-
teristics OF the Methodist denomination. Gath
cred together in this beautiful temple of ma
ture, with no roof save the blue sky of summer
overhead, and confined within no walls of brick
or stone, it is not remarkable that the religious
enthusiasm of the true believer should rise
above the ordinary limit of worship and as
cend in songs of praise and thanksgiving.
In the afternoon the people gathered at the
stand and listened to an interesting discourse
by Rev. e Martin of Augusta. The weather
is clear and beautiful. and every train brings
large additions to the company from the sur
rounding towns. The facilities for boarding
are excellent, and the prices reasonable.
The sermon was followed by an unusually
interesting social meeting, in which large
number OF ciergymen and laymen participated
The singing is remarkably spirited aud effec-
tive, and during the afternoon large crowd
gathered in front af the Brunswick tent, at
tracted by the excellent singing of choir Of
young ladies and gentlemen. A coored wo-
man from New York attracts considerable at
tention by the peculiar character of her sing
ing and exhortations The best of order is
and everything is passing off
quietly and to the satisfaction of all concerned,
G. Fl. W.