The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-28
CAMP MEETINGS FOR 1874.

Great Gatherings In Round Lake, Ocean
Grove, Sea Cliff, Dcnville, Mnrtha's
Vineyard, Cha utau qun Lake and Else
where - Programme for July and
August.
Tue season for camp meetings has come, an
soon the Methodlsts OF this ana other cities Will
shake out their tents and pack their lunch baskets
and HE them away, by railroad and steamboat, TO
the several camp grounds around New York and
beyond. These meetings originated in the West in
the year 1859, Ill this wise two brothers, by the
name OF McGee one Presbyterian minister and
the other Methodist, went to attend q
sacramental service with the Rev. Mr..
Gready, Presbyterian minister OF West
Tennessee. The TWO McGees preached, and were
followed by Rev. Mr.. Hage, Presbyterian minis
ter, whose preaching produced powerful effect.
Three clergymen lett the house; but the McGees
renamed to see the saivati on OF God. The people
gathered in such numbers that the church could
not contain them. This drove them into the
forest, where they were compelled to camp out,
which they did, worshipping God night and day.
The different denominations, seeing that God was
in the movement, gave it their countenance; but
one alter another withdrew, until 1t was left
almost exclusively a Methodist institution-since
which time they have used it to good purposes.
Akin to the camp meetings are the ordi nary
grove meetings, without the-encumbrance OF tents,
the people dwelling IN booths, as did JACOB and
his family in ages past. There Is scarcely a con-
terence IN the Methodist Episco al Church that has
not at least one OF those meetings every year, and
many OF them have two or three camp grounds
and many gatherings each season. For In
stance, three meetings will be held sea Cliff this
year and two OF Ocean Grove, near Long Branch,
and prolonged meeting of all classes and families
OF Methodists at Round Lake ana one or two at
score OF places around and beyond this city and
state. Rev. Dr. Talmage, of Brooklyn, in a late
issue OF his paper, asks why not have all our
churches ana denominations take summer
airing The breath OF the pine woods or a wrestle
with the waters would, he thinks, put an
end to everything like morbid religion.
One reason why the apostles had such healthy
theology Is that they went fishing. DR.. Tai
mage would like to see the day when we will have
Presbyterian camp meetings and Episcopalian
camp meetings and Baptist camp meetings
and Congregational camp meetings or, what
would be still better, when, forgetIul OF all
minor distinctions, we could have Church Uni
versal camp meeting. He would like to help plant
the tent pole Tor such convocaton.
THE GREAT CAMP MEETING OF 1874
will be held at Round Lake, N. Y, com
mencing July and continuing two weeks. Fol-
lowing hard on the General Conference or the
HelUOulst EpiSCOph InuTCU, south, III Is expected
to advance the lraternal feelings between North
ern and Southern Mcthodlsts that were there SO
remarkably manifested. Early last fall invitations
were sent out 10 the representative men OF the
Methodist Episcopal Church. Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, Methodist Protestant Church. the
Methodist Church, Wesleyan Methodist Church,
Canada; Methodist Episcopal Church, Canada;
congregational Methodist church, African Method
ist Episcopal Church, African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church, Colorcd Methodist Episcopal Church
in America. who have responded favoraby. These
representa- tlves are not supposed nor expected 10
talk or preach about Information or organic
union, but their fellowshppng together for fort
night or longer viii DO much more towards TINS
desired end than many sermons and cXhortations.
Bisnop James, OF this city, III giving the gathering
his sanction ana agreeing to be present and assist
tie presiding elders In the conduct OF the meeting,
has declared that the discussion OF this topic
would not be In harmony with the character and
services of the occasion; and he hopes the sub
jcct VIII not even be mootcd In social conversation
on the ground. As the assembling will be voun-
tary the parties present will have no official au-
thorlty, and cannot commit the churches to which
they belong. The proposition is Tor the ministers
and members OF these different Methodist churches
10 assemble and work and worship together
as though thar all belonged to one and