National Republican., 1876-08-24
FOLDING THE TENT
Washington Grove Cam, :, Broken Up.

ny 0sO'A
MONTGOMERY couST =, Nh, Aug. 3. 1919.
We come no" 70 chronicle the closing SER
vices and eV V.ents of Washington Grove camp.
The yoTng peoples meeting was held promptly
as sdnounced, ard conducted by Mr.. Al. Hoi-
Land. This gentleman is marvel of Divine
grace. One year ago he was one of the most
crime -bestained characters that ever the sun
shone on. With personal character and habits
entirely averse to everything that was godly,
he Stunned the company of the good and
eyinced no desire to live q better life. But
through some instrumentality he was saved,
and now he is as jealous for God as he then
was for the devil. He occupied position on
the platform, and earnestly entreated his old
associates to accept Christ and be saved. This
meeting ran on until the hour for regular ser
vice, into which 1t glided without interruption.
REV. W. p. sPEAKE THEN TOOK CHARGE,
and conducted 1t to the close. There was no
sermon preached, but after several hymns had
been sung an exhortation was delivered by
Rev. W. /. Mckinney. BY this time the con-
gregatiou about the stand was almost solid
mass. They leaned forward with intense in
terest, gazing steadily into the altar place,
where few penitents were already kneeling.
When the exhortation was finished, the sing
ing and PRAYING went on for half an hour or
more, when Rev. Richard Norris flung in
brief but rousiDg talk. Mr.. Norris is pecu-
lisrly adapted to revival work, and never fails
of success If fair chance is given him. He
has labored with great assiduity at this camp
from beginning to end.
Meanwhile the number of pentents was
slowly but steadily increasing. But, as of old,
when the sons of God came up to worship, the
devil came with them. So the devil was man.
ifestly at work on the outskirts of the congre-
Thavu nd nrda N oil
appearances, but closer observation revealed
that there was
GREAT INDIFFERENCE TO THE SERVICES
going on. 1t was deemed prudent to give them
another shock from the battery. Brother
Charles Nye, mounting one of the benches,
poured in grape and canister for few mo-
ments, doing good execution, and again the
singing and praying went on. By this time 1t
began to be evident that victory for Gods
militant hosts was very positive and decided.
One soul after another found peace in believing,
and the grand old DoxologY ever and anon
rolled toward heaven In volumes of praise.
About 10 O'Clock, as the battle drew near to
the close, the presiding elder ascended the
platform and made his last appeal to the un-
godly. Great seriousness peryaded the con-
gregation, and it seemed as though the death
sentence was about to be passed on many
guilty heads. A few more availed themselves
of the last offer of pardon and came forward
to the altar. One man, sitting away out in the
congregation, repented, believed and expert
enced a change Of heart while the meeting was
going on. He was discovered by Mr.. Stine-
metz, who reported his case, and his name was
registered on the roll of converts. He said he
had been one of the biggest rowdies in all that
community. And so a constant fire was kept
up until after II O'Clock, when the elder an
nounced that it was time to close. The battle
had continued increasingly for about five hours,
and when the spoils were footed up, 1t was
found that the slain OF the Lord numbered in
all about fifty souls. This, besides the results
in more thoroughly equipping the Church for
future service, well requites all the expense
and toll.
AT THE CLOSE OF THE SERVICE,
Mr.. Owen, highly respected citizen, and
member of the NJ. E. Church South, stated
publicly that he expressed the feeling of the
public In saying the meeting had been of great
benefit to the whole community, and the
effects of it would be felt and seen in time to
come. This was decidedly encouraging, espe-
cially coming from representative man. 1t
was somewhat difficult to close the services
even at that late hour, but Mr.. Speake, know
ing that all of them needed rest, persuaded
them to go to their tents and take with them
the penitents that remained. The crowd soon
dispersed, and those who had no accommoda-
tions on the ground retired in good order,
cred about the ground, and seemed disposed
to enjoy a little fun before they took q final
farewell. But the sheriff and his deputies in
formed them that there was a house in Rock
vile built for all such, and If they persisted he
would Just take them down there where they
could enjoy themselves to their hearts con-
tent. Not seeming to relish the offer, how
ever, they concluded to retire, and as their
voices died away in the distant forest 1t left
THE EScAMPMENr AS STILL AS DEATH.
What contrast with last year This morn
ing about sunrise the tolling of the bell called
the people together for the last time. Owing,
however, to the heavy work of the day before
the gathering was not large. The meeting
was very touching, and abounded in express
sioDs of Thanksgiving to God for the blessed
work which he had wrought in their midst.
At the conclusion of the service the people
arose and marched around the stand as they
used TO in other days, shaking hands and bid
ding each other final adieu, after which they
received the benediction at the hands of Mr..
Speake. Thus ended the Centennial camp
meeting at Washington Grove, which was pro-
bounced to be decidedly the best ever held on
the ground.
AND NOW PEW REFLECTIONS
may not be out of place. And first, camp
meetings are not obsolete; they have not out
lived their day, nor are they part of the old
worn-out machinery of Methodism. It's true
that time has wrought many changes, and
among them change in the manner of conduct
ing camp meetings Because of this, forsooth,
the sires of the Church complain and sigh for
the good old days of yore. But we are per-
suaded that distance largely lends erchsnt-
ment to the view, and the former days were
not materially better than these. Methodism
in all the ages past has never failed to meet
| the demands of the hour, and when any piece
oTh fofl rltyf 20
| end for which it has been created, then, and
| not till then, ought It to be set aside. So, as
| long as camp-meetings are instrumental In the
| conversion of souls and the edifcation of the
| Church, ought they to be sustained by every
loyal Methodist. What they need
TO 1NFusE NEW LIE INTO THEM
| and render them still more effective is concen-
/ tration Of effort upon the part of the member
| ship and exclusiyeness of aim toward the de-
| sired end. There will always be difficulties to
| be encountered and overcome. 1t has been
so in the past, and will be till the end of time.
| Everything will not please everybody. But
| with the experience of the last two weeks
| those whose hearts are in this work can but be
| greatly encouraged. We are persuaded that
many a Methodist within the bounds of the
| Washington district who, from causes within
or beyond his control, failed to attend this year
has grieved over missing thsse times of re-
fresbing from the presence of the Lord. And,
| doubtless, from now until next summer they
/ will be shaping their matters to attend. We
| predict for the Washington Grove Camp next
| year a larger attendance and grander success
than has ever attended it since the beginning.
1 So mote 1t be. WI. NICK.
Recovered.
In April last J. B. Douglas, of Washington
/ county, Nd, collector of the Chesapeake and
| Ohio canal, lost a valuable horse. A few