The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-08-03
The National Camp Meeting at Richmond.
NINTH DAY-CLOsING SCENES

NINTH DAY-CLOSING SCENES.
The evening exercise began at - o'clock
Rev Mr.. Mcdonald presiding Rev. Mr. Mum
ger of the State Association stated that by a
mistake in calculating the expenses the fnan-
ces We're short $40, and asked the audience if
they would make it up. (Cries of yes, yes)
The hats were passed around, and $73 IS raised
in few moments. The meeting was then ad-
dressed by Rev. Messrs. Mcdonald, Robinson,
Morse, Randall, and Inskip. The last speaker
said 81 am not lifted up by praise, but desire
the respect and love of mylbrethren Thirty
seven years of ministerial labor has but in
creased my love and devotion to the Methodist
church. l have no desire or intention to cause
division in it; no intention to found a new
body of believers whatever may be said of me-
whatever | might have done years ago, when
my mind was in its viger." He went on at some
length in his own inimitable manner After
singing stirring song, the President announced
that the hour had arrived for the last act of
this religious drama. The audience were re-
quested to join in the procession. The Presi-
dent, Vice President, and two other clergyman
then arm in arm, four abreast, took up the line
OF march around the stand. About a thousand
Joined IN the procession. AS they marched they
sang some of those wild, pathetic songs this
sect is SO famous for. Twice around the en-
closure the great procession slowly tramped,
tramped, tramped to the music of the song.
Overhead the self-lighted stars looked smiling
down through the quivering leaves. The gentle
stir of the evening breeze murmured a subdued
refrain. Lights among the naples deepened
the tint into darker haes; while beyond, where
marched the singing throng, still lowered the
shadow of approaching midnight. 1t was a
wild strange scene. Calm reason viewed them
as body CT enthusiasts, rapt and devout AT
ter the second tramp around, halt was made,
the men forming line facing the circle. The
sisters, now in single file, slowly passed along
the waiting line of men, shaking each by the
hand as they passed, many of the more excited
sisters throwing their arms around some favor
lite brothers neck, and giving him the kiss of
holy love. After the women had passed, the
last brother in the line followed in behind, the
line of men thus doubling on itself. Here some
of the men followed the example of the sisters,
brother kissing brother as they passed. The
shouts, and amens, and hallelujahs were hearty
and frequent Perhaps thousand people wit
messed this unique scene. Upon regaining his
chair the President, with the clergy in the rear,
the large audience in front, led in singing "Oh,
how love Jesus '-Sister Smith, The colored
sister, standing conspicuously in front of the
presiding officer This sister is character,-a
large bony woman full-blooded negro eShe
claps her long and heavy hands, producing a
hard ringing sound, giving vent, meanwhile
through her clear, melodious voice to her wild
devotions. After the apostolic benediction,
President Inskip pronounced the Eleventh Ses-
sion Of the National Camp Meeting for the pro-
motion of holiness closed. The crowd soon
broke up into smaller groups, and during nearly
the remainder of the night prayer, singing,
intermingled with the noise of taking down
tents, and other preparations for departure
Large numbers left on both Pullman trains at
1880 p. m. and $50 a. m.
Friday morning the deserted camp tells a
strange story of mans presence and departure
Songs, prayer, rejoicings, are no longer heard;
the birds sing on as sweetly as ever, the trees
murmur as before, the placid river comes on
toward old ocean-but the people are departed.
and the scenes and enjoyments of the past ten
days, like the feeting things of ear4h, have had
their day and are gone.