The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-09-22
Written for The Spirit of Democracy
FROM SOUTH CAROLINA.

August 25, 1874.
Ed. SPIRIT: l thought l would write
you a little concerning our camp meet
ing The season for camp meeting here
begins about the middle of July and ends
some time in September. Extensive
preparations are always made for these
meetings land among all classes it is sea
son Of great rejoicing.
On the morning of the 14th of August,
in company with Bro. Parker, our Presi
ding Elder, we left our home and took the
train en- route for Green Pond Camp
Ground, in York County, S. c, distance
of Is miles. We moved along very
slowly as e,of necessity, were compelled
to take the accommodation train, and as
is the case always with such trains had to
stop awhile at every station. The first
station reached was SpartanbuIg. Here
we we're delayed about half an hour load
ing and unloading freight. The next
was Cowpens Station, near the old battle
ground spoken of in'history. Here we
switched off to let the morning express
train from Charlotte pass. The whistle
sounded off brakes and we were soon
bounding away pretty rapidly. The
whistle ''tooted" down brakes, and Gaff
ney depot met our view. Wepaused here
few moments, and away we sped until
Blacks station was near at hand Here
we stopped little, just to let the old iron
horse rest and take drink of cool water.
Then we trudged along slowly until the
next station and few dwelling houses
came in sight. We were now at Whit
cher's. One more depot ahead, and we
would be as near our place of destination
as we could get by rail We stopped here
short time, then moved slowly on. We
had now been aboard the train about FIVE
hours and were beginning to get very
tired, as it was warm and dusty, when the
whistle announced another station. We
were now as far as we could 60 by train
Here we took dinner, and, having hired a
man to take us across the mountains,
started. A cloud was rising slowly and
majestically behind us, and gave strong
indications of a terrible storm We had
not gone far when it began to pour down
rain at terrible rate. The lightning
flashed vividly aud the thunder pealed
forth in awful grandeur. We fastened
as soon as possible to place Of shelter.
We drove up to store near the gold
mines in the vicinity of Kings Mountain
These mines have been in operation since
the surrender. A hundred men< are en-
ployed in the mines. They are doing
very well. They belong to northern
company. We were compelled to stop
here two hours. 1t rained very hard
There were no less than 25dreadful and
alarming explosions; it seemed as if the
whole atmosphere was charged to its ut
most extent with electricity. Men looked
one another in the face with astonishment
and women, naturally more timid were so
alarmed that they went to bed with fright.
1t was frightful time; yet amid all this
confusion we stood unmoved, and con-
templated with pleasure the power of
Him who controls the raging elements
The rain having subsidized we started on
our journey and soon reached the foot of
the mountain. Now came the tug of war
The roads were very bad We all remain
ed in the buggy until we got near the top
of the mountain. Here it was so rough
that we all got out except the driver until
We had crossed the most dangerous part
of the mountain. Here we got in our
buggy and moved carefully on. Ina lit
tie while we were at the residence of one
Mr.. Thomas, where we stopped for the
night. Bro Parker preached to his and
a few other families who had met there ac-
cording to previous arrangement. In the
morning we started for the camp which
was about four miles distant. When near
bv we heard the music of the worshippers
ringing out upon the morning breeze
We came up, and the usual salutations
having been gone through with, entered
our tent and lay US down to rest short
time. Then the work began; we preach
ed and sang and prayed day after day land
many were the converts. 1t was glori.
Gus meeting. "It was the house of God
and the gates Of heaven to our souls.''-
Bro. Parker preached on Sunday with
great power and earnestness. II will