Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1878-09-05
HORRORS OFTHE CAMP.
A Correspondent Who Has Been
TO Camp Meeting and Failed 10
be Edited.
From the Philadelphia Times.

In early days of Metodism the more
devOut OF the people sought retirement
in the shade of the woods during the
summer season, in order that they
might pray, praise and mediate, with
freedom from the interruption which
busy city life continually brings. a
few rude tents, some straw beds and
several kettles ard pans for culinary
purposes sufficed to meet the house
keeping demands of the families COM
posing the camp. The camps were
small, and were not held in the same
place year after year, but were pitched
wherever suitable spot was found.
Elegant preaching sometsmes drew
great crowds OF country people. The
camps grew, and in many instances
became local nuisances. The amount
of good done by the preaching was
more than balanced by the demorali-
zslion of peoples sons and daughters.
Camping too often degenerated into
frOlic and dissipation, and In many Sec
tions of the country camp meetings fell
into disrepute. ...- l.....-.,
But in later years new light has
shed its rays upon the camp. Some
body discovered that there was money
in camp meeting lots, and forthwith
speculation and religion went hand in
hand to the camp ground. Sometimes
religion stay ed at home, and Specula-
ton, putting on religions garments,
went alone. Lots laid out for cottsges
or tents were marked out about the
size OF a, cemetery plot sufficient to
contain six sraves. The choice lots
were those nearest the preaching stand,
where cottagers might loll their heads
out at the windows without the trou-
BILE of going to meeting, or the discom-
fort OF sitting on hard, wooden benches
for two hours and quarter, which is
the average length OF the sermons with
which distinguished preachers endeav-
or to convert the ungodly. For arse
lect circle OF tenters or cOttagers we'll
organized camp Is lovely, but there is
no money In 1t unless the attractions
are sufficient to draw a crowd. With
the crowd and the profit comes most
insalutary condition Of social and sani-
tary affairs. The camp meeting season
is short, and whatever of profit is to be
made out of 1t must be made in few
weeks. Consequently the croWding
and pushing and packing are nothing
short of horrible. Persons of culture
and refinement, who at their city
homes enjoy every comfort and luxu-
ry, consent to pack themselves into
narrow apartments much smaller than
their home pantry. A room into which
they would not put their servant girl
at home suffices for half family. A
quart of water takes the place of the
home bath. The towels are one foot
long and nine inches broad, and are
changed every four days. The camp
spoons are of lead or tin, and the forks
have iron prongs. For beef the tough
est mule fiber is furnished, and for
lamb the most aged and worn out
rams that the country can afford. If
the adjacent streams are we'll stocked
with fish the camp caterers seem never
to discover the fact, but spend their
money for the toughest OF meat, in
Imitation of the city eating houses.
What is left over is pounded into hash.
The faithful shut their eycs and swal-
low this dispensation Of Providence
without asking questions.
Those families which do not procure
their meals Of the public caterer, but
for the sake of economy cook them in
their own tents or cottages, are drawn
down to the carnal things OF the pres
ent life to such an extent that it is hard
to see how their religious privileges
Can be Of any particular advantage to
them. AT some of our largest camps,
men, women and children can be seen
outside of cabin or tent performing
nearly all the operations OF the toilet
and mingling this pleasant pastime
with the preparation for breakfast.
This kind Of life is worse than that of
the gypsies. For a few hunters or
fishermen by the side of a stream or
lake, it will answer. For family use
it is awful. The disposition to make
money rules SO greatly on some of
these camp grounds that people who
live tolerably decent lives at home will |
pack cottage or tent to considerably |
greater extent than 1t ought to accom-
modate, and then take few bOarders,
or erect sign saying: lodgings to |
Let"
The whole business of camp meet
ings needs either reorganization or
wiping out, 1t is hard to say which.
But something of radical character
ought to be done about it, and that
very soon.