Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-08-08
Cempmeeting at Richmond,

The exercises of the annual campmeetin.
OF the kcnnebec Valley CAMPAIGNING As
sociation begun on their beautiful and spac
ious grounds at Richmond on Tuesday even
ing the meeting on that evening being simply
preliminary. The people assembled about
the stand, good spirit was manifested in the
uevotions, remarks and singing, and in fac
everything pointed to pleasant and profit
able session. Gathered on the ground, living
IN cottages or tents, are representatives of the
denomination from every section of the State.
Reliance is placed this year upon "home tai
ent' more than formerly, and the change is
looked upon with favor than otherwise by the
brethren. They seem to feel more at home,
and while there are no noted men from abroad
present there is ample talent among the local
preachers to fulfil all the requisite engage
ments. Rev. Geo. Pratt is President of the
| meeting.
On taking survey of the grounds yester-
day, we should judge there were SONG two
thousand or more present, men, women and
children. and all are living comfortably and
costly, most Of the families attending to their
domestic affairs as at home-only in the free
and easy and simple style-spreading their
| tables in their neat dining rooms or beneath
some overspreadng maple. Others who wish
to rid themselves entirely of kitchen cares,
take their meals at the large boarding house,
and we pity their poor stomachs, if yester-
days dinner was sample We are not in
clined to believe that poorly cooked meat,
strong turnips, still stronger butter, bread
that would be rejected by Modocs, and
''slush' for coffee, make up FIRST class din
ncr.
Several OF the families owning cottages
have occupied them for fortnight previous
to the meeting, and will hardly vacate them
when the more nomadic portion strike their
tents. Thus they com bine religious prvileg-
es with recreation, and while they worship
God in the great temple which His own hands
have builied, en- JOY the rest and comfort
made possible by relief from distracting care
and business anxiety. As at present viewed,
it is a happy and peaceful looking commune
ty.
The first preaching service at the stand
was held yesterday forenoon at ten o'clock,
the sermon being by Rev. Z. Martin Of Au-
burn, formerly of Augusta. The subiec. was
the fultiment of the promises Of God, and he
was handling it with his usual force and read
mess when a show or broke UP the assembly.
the people ajjourning to their tents. Prayer
meetings were held in the buildings and tents
assigned to the different towns. The singing
was particularly inspiring and whole souled.
Five minutes, beginning at one o'clock in
the afternoon. were set apart TO be devoted to
silent prayer. At the signal from the bell
the greater part OF the people bowed them
selves in prayer. The multitude, walking to
and fro, stopped where the signal found them,
and if not inclined to worship, gave at least
respectful recognition of the proprieties of
the occasion. Every voice was hushed Of the
whole two thousand, save now an! then the
prattle Of little child broke the impressive
stiffness of the fleeing minutes. The time
up, the bell sounded and all was life and an
imatiOn again.
The grand feature OF the day was the dedi-
cation, iu the afternoon, Of the fine canvas
tabernacle, recently purchased by the Asso-
citation, and set up for the first time on the
grounds. The Association is justly proud
of this new acquisition. In case of rain its
comfortable and spacious quarters will be APP
preciated. 1t is fitted up with seats arranged
good deal in the form of pews in q model
church, and will easily seat 1900 persons.
When the aisles and the vacant places in rear
of the seats are fully occupied, the tabernacle
will accommodate fully two thousand persons.
This tabernacle was yesterday dedicated to
Holiness, the exercises consisting of prayers,
singing, and brief addresses. The following
clergymen participated in the exercises Rev.
Mr.. Pratt, Rev. DIR. Stephen Allen. Rev. /.
Luce, Presiding Elder, and others. The ded-
icatory prayer was offered by Rev. ID. b.
Randall.
The committee under whose supervision the
tabernacle was constructed, made report of
its cost. The whole expense, exclusive of
the seats, was eleven hundred dollars The
work is admirably done, under the supervision
and in the shop of Mr.. Leavitt, sail maker, of
Portland, son of S. r. Leavett, Esq. Mr.. L.
has done himself great honor in the faithful
and workmanlike manner in which he has
performed the work.
We have reporter on the grounds who
will furnish brief reports of the remaining
meetings.
COnlme ut At the Stnte ColIo~e In