The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-08-26
FVI ITV NVtTT W
WOODLAWN CAMP MEETING.

Camp meetng-peculiarily an American
institution-conceived by force of necessity,
the mother of all inventions, as a means for
bringing together for purpose of Christian
communion the widely separated inhabit-
ants of ely-settled country, have,
more nearly than any other institution in
our land, adhered to their primitive SIM
plicity. Although we may have torn down
our log cabin and made us a more pretcn-
tious building of granite or brick as our
dwelling place, yet, oday, when we abide
for a season beneath the shadow of the grand
old forest trees, our desire is not toward
the ostentation and show of too many of
our homes, but that we may take as little
as possible from the beauty of nature in
the midst of which we tent, by the intro
duction of mans devices.
OF the religious feature of these occa-
sions we fear we cannot say so much, and
he who may be inclined to croak, might
charge that the fervent spirit of religious
devotion which marked the camp of days
gone by, has departed from the modern
forest city. Be that as it may, we believe
that this "breathing spel' from daily
cares thus given our over worked people, a
blessing to be cherished, and that which by
some is termed failure of camp meetings
that is, the fewer number of converts at
these gatherings than in old time camps
may be accounted for by the increased
number of these meetings throughout the
land, as well as the thousandSof places of
stated worship all over our territory.
did not intend writing homily upon
camp meetings, when began Jjotting down
these crudely expressed thoughts; but as l
sit here, this beautiful Sabbath morning.
upon this most beautiful of all camp
grounds, w oodlawn, how l long for a
pen of power to describe the scene around
me. The bright sunshine, the bracing, in
MIGRATING air, and cheeriest of all, the
glad, happy faces. Mingled with the sweet
sounds of songs of praise and thanksgiving
to our bountiful Creator may be heard the
merry ringing shout of gleeful children
everything wears the aspect of joyous free
dom, the very birds seem to MARBLE their
happy notes more ijoyfully than usual. A
lovelier spot than this would be hard to
find. The management is admirable and
the tented throng make up a small host of
agreeable people, who enjoy themselves
without the ceremony of dress and fashion,
preferring quiet enjoyment to noise and dis
play. The renewal of old friendships and
acquaintance is another pleasant feature
of these occasions. We, to-day, have grasp
eN Ile udHu Vi lIltutlS, NHoiH we nave
not met face to face for many years, and
here and there, on every hand we meet the
friendly nod of recognition. Commend us,
we say, to the open hearted, generous hos
pitality Of the tented hundreds at Wood
lawn. We must not forget to mention the
amiable young ladies from Elkton, just i'll
front of whose inviting forest home we
scrubbed these lines. The canvas door
stands open wide and a pleasant smile and
hearty welcome greets all their acquaint-
ances. They are indefatigable in their
efforts to make all around them comfort
able. We owe to them much of our enjoy
ment to-day. For how could we ever in SO
short time, have added to our list of &C
quaintances so many pleasant people with
out the friendly aid of Miss Anna. Again,
we say, the acme of perfection in camp
meetings has been reached at Woodlawn.
L.