The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-08-24
MoUNDsv1LE.
Last Hour Of the Camp Meeting.

MouSDsvtLLE, August q. 4
Correspondence q the Inielllgsuesr. 4
Alter the closing Of my report Of the
camp meeting on last evening, the exer-
cises were Of very interesting character.
All Of the penitents, except two who were
nj the altar, protessed conversion. Many
hymns were sung and prayers offered.
Rev. D. H. X. Dix, Vice President Of the
Association, who had charge Of the meet
ing, at about l0i O'Clock announced that
the time had now come to close the meet
ing, and invited all the ministers present
to take their places in the stand, which
they did. He announced that before the
close there was matter OF a very interest
ing nature claiming the attention Of all
present. .aF d. r.f
Rev. Geo. C. wilding, Of Wheeling,
stepped forward without being announced,
and spoke in substance as follows:
While mere boy, whilst out coasting
one day his boots became 80 saturated
with water that on the morning following
he could not get them on, and while seat
ed ut the window watching the white
fakes Of snow, he formed in his mind the
ideal man he would like to be. That man
was the itinerant Methodist minister, We
thanked God that that prayer Of his when
boy Of twelve years OF age has been ans.
wered, and that he vas tonight hOnOred
in being classed with them. The NethO-
dis. minister OF West Virginia was then
mcde the subject Of glowing tribute, es-
pecially did the speaker allude in glowing
terms 10 the pioneer ministers OF the
church in this State, who Travelled over
mountains and through our valleys OH his
faithful horse, with his library, his ward
robe and his all in a pair OF saddle-bags.
Some OF them said the speaker are gone.
Looking over the battlements OF glory to-
night upon the Moundsville camp ground
are the spirits Of Gordon Battelle, Wilson
( L, II 'ndman, Father Tichnell and others.
! Others are still with US, such as Gideon
Martin, D. H. K. Dix, and our beloved
Brother Deliver. We love the dead for
what they have done, and the living for
what they have done and for what they
are still doing. The Church loves her
ministers, but there seems 10 be dispo-
sllOu IO-uaE 70 uE9GaIu IIe IaDO15 VI t4S
old fathers. There comes time in the
life OF the minister when the Church vir-
tually says, We need you no longer. God
help the minister when the Church ceases
10 care for him. Many more sIch good
things did the speaker say, and in man
ner that could only be appreciated by being
heard. Then turning to Rev. bolivar,
who was sitting behind him on the stand,
he said, "And we love you, Brother Dol
liver, and as 0 testimonial OF our love and
esteem / am hereby authorized to
present you this paper, which is
an order on a Wheeling merchant for
suit Of clothes, and l would not be sur.
prised lift would 1T your manly form"
Then reaching beneath the preachers desk
he took thereirom box containing fine
plug hat. He presented it in about the
same manner, making many amusing hits
and closing with the request that he wear
both suit and hat at the next Camp Meet
ing on this ground II permitted 10 attend.
Rev. Deliver seemed much surprised at
the entire proceeding from first TO las, and
was 80 much affected that he could scarce
" reply 1t all. But he thanked Brother
Milding and all concerned in few touch
ing words Among other things giving
promise to be present next year il spared,
and adding that II by that time he was too
feeble to do something else, (for he
felt sometimes a. though his work
was almost done) he would stand
at their backs, and say amen; while they
did the work.
This meeting throughout was very
pleasing episode, and it will never lie for
gotten by those who were present. It has
been our pleasure TO hear many impromp-
tu presentation speeches, but We never
heard more BETTING one than Mr.. Wild
ings'. Not wishing to tlatter at all; but it
was simply grand. Following this was the
fraternal handshaking, the singing OF
farewell hymn, led by J. Melvin Richards,
the pronouncing OF the benedic.I)n by
Rev. Dolliver, and then all quietly and
some sadly separated, the time Of night
being about II! o'clock. Thus ended an
other Camp meeting.
To-day our town is very quiet except
that during the forenoon there was fair
rush OF wagons to and from the camp
ground, carrying the goods and persons OF
those leaving for home.
! have been requested to mention for the
benefit ofall concerned, that those wishing
TO attend the State Teachers Association
at Parkenburg, which commences on
Tuesday next, August 9th, that half fare
rates are granted by both the railroad and
steamers.
The hotels OF Parkersburg give hal
rates during the season OF the Inititute.