The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-07-25
The National Camp Meeting at Richmond.
FIRST INTERPRETATIONS FOR A WEEK OF
wORSHIP-GATHERING OF THE MULTITUDE.

woRsHIP-GATHERING OF THE MULTITUDE.
All the members of the Methodist denomina-
ton in the United States are invited by the
Maine Camp Meeting Association to gather at
Richmond this week to enjoy the pious festival
OF grand national camp meeting, under the
auspices and conduct of the National c. NJ. AS
ISOLATION. If external influences inspire devo-
ton and the promotion of holiness, certainly
the lovely grounds of the Kennebec Valley As
ISOLATION ought to engender the highest emo
tons of gratitude and reverence, for never per-
haps was spot better fitted for the free wor-
ship of God in temple built and decorated by
higher than mans agency, made vocal by
sweeter than human minstrels, and breathing
perfume more delicate and grateful than the
chemists art can devise. These grounds lie
three miles above Richmond on the Name
Central road, and all the trains except the night
expresses halt here to receive and discharge
passengers One climbs the hill by wood
road cut through splendid growth of naples
beech and ash, an eighth of a mile, up an eleva-
ton of perhaps $50 feet, to the camp meeting
grounds, which embrace an area of about
nifty acres, enclosed by high fence The sur
lace is quite level, with few natural imperfec-
tions, which are growing less every year. The
ground slopes gently to the east, forming a
splendid area for religious services. The audi
forum is in circular FORM with the speakers
stand ON the circumference. A broad road runs
around it, called Wesley Avenue, and outside
OF this circle of lots, thirty in number, are as
signed to the different societies in the Kennebec
Valley Association. From the auditorium six
avenues run out to the boundaries One of
these leads direct to the railroad station Three
are known as Plaisted, Smith and Baker ave-
nues. The others are yet unchristened. Be
tween the avenues are grouped the cottages and
tents OF the different congregations Some of
the former are decidedly natty in appeara nee.
These and the adjacent tents are placed with
the regularity of military encampment, on
both sides of a narrow street. To-day all is
hustle and confusion The rain of the morn
ing kept back many and delayed the general
preparations. The owners of many of the cot
tages appear to have been several DAYS on the
ground, and are settled to receive COMPANY.
There is great deal of comfort and taste
shown in and about the tents. They are orna-
mented with fanciful borders and the fronts are
decorated with evergreen emblems and sy mbols
Soft wood moses form bright carpets around
the entrances, and the interiors are delightfully."-
cosy and homelike, with their carpets, curtains
and comfortable furniture. 1t lis strong temp
tation to one not of the persuasion to cast off
some of the conventionalities of our social life
and come out here in the picturesqueness of
camp life and form new associations and drink
IN full draught of domestic and religious free
dom.
Coming up from the station to the border of
the auditorium one turns to the right, and two
squares beyond he comes to the Portland tents
Pine street Society has large canvas on the
avenue. Here the three Methodist societies
Will center, surrounded by the family tents of
Messrs j. g. Turkey, George H. Cushman,
Adams Merrill, George E. Taylor, the Misses
jackson and the Misses Scales These are all
the Portland tents up at the present time, but
the afternoon train has brought more, and by
Thursday morning Portland will have q thirty
ing village of representatives.
AS one sits in the speakers stand and looks
outward he appears to be in the centre of a
permanent village of pretty white houses, al
though the CLINT of canvas in the distance re-
calls the idea of pleasure camp. On the right
of the speaker, but within sound of his voice,
is the blue and white pavilion of Camp Meet
ing John Allen, who will score this as one well
into the second hundred of his camp meeting
experiences. just inside the gate stands the
tabernacle tent of the National Association, So
qy 80 feet in size. 1t was transported last year
to California, and pitched in Salt Lake City
undpr the drnppinpc of bo
pie. Brigham Young attributes his troubles to
the advent of this unoffensive looking struc-
ture. 1t proved a Trojan horse to Mormonism
The religious exercises will begin this WED
nesday) evening, but in the present condition of
things no definite order has been announced
The President of the National Association,
Rev. j. s. Inskip, of New York arrived this af-
ternoon. Rev. VIM. Mcdonald of Boston, one
OF the Vice Presidents, is here experimenting
that part OF the arrangements committed to
him. Rev. q. Munger, another member of the
government, is here, and among the promi-
nent clergy men from abroad we notice Rev. w.
Fl. Boole and A. McLain of New York, and
Rev. L. r. Dunn of New jersey 1t is con-
fidently expected that Thursday will bring
brilliant gathering of pulpit talent. Among
the laity are already many from Boston, New
York, Philadelphia and New Jersey.
Last year there were over 200 tents and cot
tages on the ground. The number is already
largely increased and the present indications
are when the meeting is in full tide of success
full operation they will number over 3OO And
this reference suggests the feeding and lodging
of the multitude that are expected to be pres
ent, and will depend upon the resources of the
place for the necessaries of life. At the head
of the main avenue is the large dining hall,
which will accommodate 300 persons with meals
at one time. The price of food is exceedingly
reasonable, 50 for the meeting or. $1.25 per
day for three days or less Breakfast and tea so
cents each, dinner 70 cents. Furnished straw
beds at 65 cents for single night or you may
sleep on straw under shelter tent for 40 cents,
with reduction if you engage your berth for
the whole period of the meeting. For your
meals you buy package of coupon tickets
for as many days as you propose to remain, and
those unused are redeemed at a specified price,
Straw, milk, oil and groceries are for sale at
the store of the Association; and there has
been busy traffic to-day in lumber, nails,
furniture, &C., for the temporary habitations
closure, drawn from springs and collected in
large reservoirs. l -.at
The police regulations are excellent, and the
meeting bids fair to be free from the petty an
noyances that gatherings of this character are
liable to. The grosser breaches of decorum are
not among the probabilities by any means.
Mails are received and despatched twice a day
The telegraphis in operation, and arrangements
have been made for the sale of the daily news
papers. The PRESS will be found at the Post
Office every morning.
The grounds are under the superintendent
of Mr.. A. II. Howard, of Hallowell, an old
campaigner who is indefatigable in his depart
ment. Mr.. Mack johnson, also of Hallowell,
has responsible position, and the public will
find him valuable man. rg