The New York herald., 1874-08-16
Sanctity In Camp.

Sanotity In Camp.
This is the season for religious rhapsodies
by seaside and in the wood. The astonishing
growth of the church which sprang from the
ministrations of John Wesley was never more
apparent than to-day. From Maine to
Georgia resound the voices of praise, prayer
and exhortation, and under the open sky
there seems an influence more favorable to the
propagation of piety than all the gorgeous
interiors of cathedrals and temples which
stand Us monuments Of older times The
gentle presence OF nature seems to manifest
God supplementing at every step the advance
of the Christian spirit in its journeying to
''higher life.'' There is no doubt that in
minds which are not absolutely enthralled by
that incurable vulgarity that sees no purpose
in nature beyond sensuous pleasure she i'm
presses tho simple lessons of religion far
more deeply than ever has been done by
human eloquence. To know, then, that the
outdoor worship Of the present time excites
such great and widespread interest, and really
moves to their deepest depths hearts which
have never been moved before, is but con-
temple" it is easy to find man in his sottened
moods. where, lolling in the lap of Mother
Earth, in respite from his toll, he will
acknowledge himself once again child of
Nature And religion rightly seeks above all
else to capture him IN such mood.
The mingling of the most beautiful features
of nature with what are called the dearest gifts
of grace does not seem at all incongruous, if
one would but think upon it for time. 1t is
logical that these two most lovely types of the
extremes of matter, material and spiritual,
should be subjective Of much the same ideas.
However ignorant we are we always seek to
look beyond Nature and above. And because
she suggests so much more of majesty and
glory than we see, so are songs of praise more
fily sung under her hoary arches, through
which glimmers Of the greater Beyond break
softly from above.
The camp meetings at Ocean Grove, in
Maine, in Virginia and elsewhere, which are
described in other columns, attract to their
outrageous tents multitudes Of worshippers
from all portions of the country, and piety
seems to expand and flourish within the hal
lowed precincts with remarkable vigor Al
of singing their hymns and saying their
prayers in the woods, they still hold
firmly to the sanctity of the Sabbath
and permit no shooting Of bird or hooking Of
any Of the fnny tribe on the day of rest.
These restrictions CRATE harshly on the ears Of
the worldly and may have crushed many u
complacent hope in q religion of the future
that would not let tradition interfere with the
rational enjoyment of angling. But it must
be remembered that the faithful esteem the
work Of fishing for men of the greater i'm
portance, and disconsolate maiden hearts
would ache if they were denied il.
In Virginia q camp meeting seems to be the
cause Of quite a religious commotion ON the
island of Chincoteague. If the reports of the
moral condition of the inhabitants are true
there is no doubt necessity for thorough
reform, and it is hopeful that the fight with
the unclean spirits will go bravely on until
they flee from one after another of their
feshly stronghoids A movement of such q
sort is not wholly unneeded in other quarters
of the globe, and the natives of Chincoteague
even express willingness to give home to
one Of the contestants in the Brooklyn scan
dial, provided it becomes too uncomfortable
for him to remain here. Their readiness to
welcome such ON exile is an exponent of their
own character and makes it doubtful if he
would experience much spiritual good in their
midst. The worthy Chincoteagueans OF
course take it for granted that he is guilty OF
the offences charged against him.