The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-07-05
A CHRISTIAN CAMP.
~~o~~~~~c~~~~~~~~~~~~>~o~
THE ROUNDLAKE CAMP MEETING
Fifteen Hundred Persons on the Ground-A
Fourth Without Firscrackers-Tent-
ing in the Wilderness Strange
ly Improvised City

ROUND LAKN. saratoga county, July 4, 1871.
Not sound OF Q single hrecrxcker or a fz OF
rocket Is to be heard to- day In this quiet, seques
tered place; nothing but the clink Of hammers or
the tones OF friendly voices IN sautation, and the
eternal orchestra OF nature alone seems musical In
honor Of Independence Day. The birds sing. the
trees murmur as they are swayed by the perfumed
breezes from meadow, orchard and field, and the
tranquility OF the scene seems like that of rural
Sabbath.
About fifteen hundred people are gathered here at
the seventh assembly Of the National Camp Meeting
Association Of the Methodist Episcopal Church. and
the prospects are that the meeting Will be very
successful one. II Is intended that the meeting
snail be continued for ten days from to-day ana
very extensive preparations have Deen made
There are now not less than four hundred and
fifty tenIs on the ground, each capable OF accom-
modating from three to six persons. besides several
larger ones in which. in the event of lack Of &C.
commodation, several hundred persons may find
shelter. There are also nearly fifty cottages-per-
manent srructures-e,ected solely for camp meet.
ing purposes by members OF various congregations
who are in the habit Of attending annually with
their families.
THIS CAMP,
in fact should be seen to be fully appreciated 1t is
located between Troy and Saratoga. on the line Of
miles from the former city and only twelve miles
from Americas great fashionable springs. The
grounds are owned by q private corporation, known
as the Round Lake Association and have extent OF
about forty acres, neatly fenced IN and presenting
an admirable variety Of landscape. In thick
opse Of pine, hemlOck, oak and maple, about one
hundred yards from the railroad track. is pitched
the encampment lts general form is crcu-
lar. In the centre Is an arena about one
hundre d feet in diameter, provided with
seats for an auditory. On tho western
side Of this auditorium Is erected handsome plat.
form, with ornamental roof, and a sort Of prosce.
mum front. Just below the caves OF the roof are
displayed collection OF passages from Scripture
Holiness to the Lord God e Love" and similar
the platform upon which the addresses are
made The tents surround this in two circles
street or passage running around the circle is known
as wesley avenue Most OF the thOrOughfares lead
ing around the circle are STYLED avenues and are
Methodist Church. as Hedding, Fletcher, Asbury ana
Others. The streets radia,ng from the central CTR
tain square," with pretty Jet of water basin and
drinking cups There are also stores for the sale OF
provisions. several large eating houses, butchers
shop. bakery, telegraph ana post Onlce, book store
and other adJuncts ola
The programme OF religious exercises Will be
opened TINS afternoon, but VIII be very brief today
It is expected owing very largely TO the fact that
ing households as fully one thousand'of the visitors
arrived this morning and 1t takes considerable
attend to sucn large NUMBER Of people The ser.
vices will be directed by Rev. Mr.. fnsK1p, presi-
ments appear at present to be very well devised,
and by tomorrow the services will have been fully
inaugurated. This Is the second year that meetings
have been held on these grounds by the National
Association and Is the fourth year Of the existence
Of the society embraces
day there were present visitors IRON Maryland,
Connecticut Ohio, New Jersey. Vermont. New
first meeting OF the association was held at Vine
land. N. j.: second at Mannheim, near Lancaster,
Pa; the third at Round Lake, the fourth nth and
sixth respectively at Darlington, Md: at Boston aud
at Chicago. The seventh Is now taxing place here,
and the next, winch III wli take place some time
number OF New York clergymen are already here.
put the largest attendance. both of laymen and
trains do not stop at the camp grounds on Sunday,
but many visitors arrive on the Saturday night
train, while many people from the surrounding
country come in wagons, carriages and private con-
veyances
and embraced an opening or dedicatory address and
sermon oy the Rev: Mr.: lnskip SINGING by the au.
address Mr.. lnskip predicated much good as likely
to iow from this meeting. He said l. was organ
and experience of Christian holiness. and that no
other conduct OF services would be permitted.
There would be no sermons, or none worth speak
ing Of and IL was TO be union Of faithful hearts
and workers for the cause. The association had
assumed control OF the camp, and meant to control
1t ana be responsible for 1t, and II there were any
present who had any other plan to force or
IN their object. he association would take all the
blame themselves II IL turned out q failure and
would ask one else to share 1t with them. He
then selected his text for the dedlcatory sermon
the passage relating to the PentecOst and the
clOven tongues OF fire contained In the second chap
ter OF Acts, and IN the Of his remarks COM
batted the theory that the apostles uncOnverted
men at the time OF their selection. the descent or
fire upon them was simply the descent OF Gods
burning spirit upon them, filling them with won
drous power and zeal for their mission: and this
was the power that he desired all within the sound
OF mis- voice to-day to take unto themselves and
WELD for Christ 1t was not the mission OF the
Church TO rear great worldly monuments
OF marble costly structures the evidence Of Its
power, but to work upon the hearts OF men and I'M
Due them with the knowledge and love and power
Of the Holy Spirit, and IN this spirit they had met
to-day. The apostles waited In that upper room
for the coming Of the spirit upon them, but here to-
day ne expected all to prepare their
hearts for the descent OF the spirit at
they had chosen this way TO assemble here. He
loved the nag Of his cOunry as well any man, but
while others directing their eyes TO Washing
ton he wanted the people or Chrsts army TO march
towards the city OF the New jerusalem with the
banner OF the cross Of Christ as their standard.
This strong and pointed allusi0n TO the politicians
and 10 the day was endorsed with perfect chorus
meeting very fervcnt and some other addresses
were made before adjournment. In consequence
Of q heavy ram storm this evening services were
held in the large tent, capable OF accommodating
5000 or 5000 persons.