Arizona weekly miner., 1875-05-07
THE FIRST CAMP MEETING IN ARI-
 ZONf

ZO11.
 It is confidently believed that the "Feast
 of Tabernacles,n as a scriptural cognomen,
 may now be applied to the camp meetings of
 the Gentiles as appropriately as in earlier
 ages to the feasts of the Jews. Though the former was by Divine appointment, 1t seemed
 to be dead born institution among the Jews, and after the death of Joshua was not ob- served for thousand years; not until the re- turn of the Jews from their Babylonish cap tiyity. under Ezra and Nehemia. (See Neh. | s, BID God gave his law to rebellious people. As they refused to obey it, he prom ised by the prophet Ezekiel (34, 2326), II will set up one shepherd over them. the Lord will be their God. Twill make with them covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land; and they shall dwell safely in the will derness and sleep in the woods; and l will cause the shower to come down in the sea son; there shall be showers of blessings"
 No one can deny but camp meetings very strikingly answer this prediction. God, by a wonderful Providence, brought them forth, stamped with seal divinely glorious. In the past seventy-five years. they have made many long, thrilling chapter of religious history on this continent, proving them to be one of the mighty factors for the solution of the great problem of human salvation. Deep seated prejudices of mighty minds have been conquered, and by the powerful conversion of tens of thousands, this means of Gospel grace has won national fame
 The first camp meeting in Arizona,-and the first in America, or on this planet, as far as l know, in lS75,-has just closed The opening sermon was delivered April 9th upon the above quotation in Ezekiel, by the Superintendent of the Arizona Mission. The regular services continued for two weeks, and then for one week was conducted as pro- tracted meeting; the families of the four tentholders remaining on the ground. and whose names are worthy of being preserved in the history of Methodism in Arizona. For these brethren-David H. Harrer and Wm. Arnett, one the only class leader, the other the only eXhorter in the Territory who, with son-in-law of each, sustained this meeting nobly from beginning to end.
 All the Methodist ministers in Arizona. save Rev. c. II. Cook, were in attendance part of the time, namely: Revs. Alex Groves, | and Wm. Shaw, of the M. E. Church South: Rev's. Alex. Gilmore, D. B. Wright, c. w. | F. Jarrett and G. \. Reeder of the M. E. | Church All took part in the various excr- | clses of the meeting. There were over thirty | sermons delivered, and some of them rose to | a sublime height of eloquence and power seldom witnessed in Arizona and in the as. 'enblies so often called together there were willing ears to hear ard believing hearts to appreciate the Scriptural truths so gloriouslv presented from day to day.
 Thirty requested an interest in the pray ITS Of Gods people; over twenty professed O experience the pardoning mercy of God, md eighteen united with the Methodist Church on the profession of their faith. ten 'f whom were men. Eight received Chris ian baptism.
 Henry F. Hardt and Miss Anna Harer were publicly united in holy matrimony on Sab oath morning of the 18th of April.
 The utimatum of this meeting lays be- ond the ability of the human mind to di- inc, in shaping the character and destiny of many for this life and the next; as its infu- nee for good must spread, and be felt in the lilages, along the valleys and among the of this mountain realm. And his, the first camp meeting ever held in Arizona, will make an interesting item of his- , ory on the side of morality and religion. l or IS some rare perfume in vessel of clay, , ervades it with fragrance not its own when Christ dwels with human soul. III Heavens own sweetness seems around it f
 thrown"
 'The God of Elijah" still lives, and the in- !, abitants of this Territory will be more will ng to subscribe to tho glorious truths of lis word at the close of the next decade han to-day; for He reigns and shall forever ,ign. GLEzEx A. REEpER. CAMP GROUND, April ?, 1875.