The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-08-21
MOUNDSVILLE CAMP. MEETING
Everything Ready for the Open.
ing To-day.
M0UNDsvILLE, August 20, lS77,

MOuNDsvILLE, August 20, 1877.
Editors IntOlliEGneG:
This evening made my first visit t
the old Camp ground, and to say tha
everything Is being gotten into perfect
readiness for the services to commence
tomorrow does not do Justice for th,
encampment in the very finest order,
better far than It ever has been in thu
past. Although the services Of the Camp
meeting proper do not commence unit
tomorrow evening, services ofSome kline
have been held for days past. A number
Of families have been here for weeks, and
this evening ! find some forty families
have taken possession Of their com
modious houses or tents. notice
that & number OF durable two story
houses have been erected during the past
few weeks, while many OF those erected
before have been remodeled and repaint.
ed, giving cozy, homelike appearance Ia
everything around. John S. Riggs was
the first one, years ago, 10 commence the
building Of a substantial house, instead
Of the tents or shanties used prior 10 that
time, and ! remember we'll while on a
visit TO the camp meeting some FIVE or
six years ago that his house was the oh.
served OF all observers. Others followed
and hiN modest mansion was soon thrown
into the shade by the erection Of more
imposing ones. But he determined not
TO be behind others, and has this year 20
improved his that now he again has one
Of the finest within the enclosure. Pre-.
siding Elder Wilson has erected very
comfortable two story building, and his
family have been for two weeks on the
encampment.
The grounds are very nicely cleaned
up on all sides, and as the rays of the
declining sun shines through the tree
tops ii gives to everything such beauty
that one is forced to the conclusion that
ii is a pleasant place to stay for those who
can afford it. The boarding tent ia fixed
up in better style than formerly, and those
who attend the meeting and wish to par.
take OF its benefits will he accommodated
in the best Of style, and so Cheaply that
all can afford it. Col. William Alexander
has charge OF the grounds and will have
charge during the meeting. Indeed it
would not seem like camp meeting TO
have any one else in charge.
A number OF ministers are already
here, and L learn from them that every.
thing promises one Of the best series Of
meetings ever held on the old camp
ground. | cannot see why this may not
be the case, for although not an enthusi.
astic believer in camp meetings in the
abstract, lam forced to the conclusion
that more ample arrangements have
never been made, and il the meeting fails
in results it will not he for the want Of
having everything ready for the temporal
wants OF those who attend. But il in do.
Ing this the spiritual part il lost
sight Of, the fruits gathered may not
be 90 rich. The old "Tabernacle" is erect.
ed on the same site where for several
years it has stood, and services Of some
kind will be held in it tonight. People
have been coming on every train to day,
and we may look for lively time in our
otherwise quiet town from this time I'M.
til the meeting closes. Some one SAID
to-day, what would Moundsville do
without the Camp Meeting% What was
meant by this | do not pretend to say
but ! am forced to the conclusion tha,
aside from the opportunity it gives Of
friends meeting and enjoying a week
OF social. Christian enjoyment that We
might do without it and be none the
worse for it, il We would all attend to
the duties assigned us. Now say this
not to cast the least reflection upon the
meeting or its objects, but have referred
to the train OF evils that attend il, such
as tho visits Of rough characters to our
village, drinking, carousing, &c, that
takes place outside the Pncampment. But
we hope this will all be promptly checked
and that this meeting will be one long to
be remembered, and that very many will
I've converted OF such that shall be finally
saved. REPORTER.