The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1878-04-19
Observation-Disclosures
ny .. M. c.

dell, which was shadeu Win Deecn anu
sugar.maplc. There our Methodist
friends had pitched their tents, and
prepared for a camp meeting, and Il
was my good fortune, in company
with some ladies Of that persuasion to
meet with them. II was a week be-
fore the Conference, and all the big
guns were on their way to the meet
ing. On Thursday night the whole
forest was speckled over with white
tents, the brush was cleared out, the
logs rolled into line, and seats made
with slabs and rough plank laid on
green poles. At the bottom of this
dell the altar was locstel, built Of
rude plauks.
From all the hills and wales for 20
miles around, by Friday night the
brethren had come in, and the hale,
honest faces Of the old and the young
sisters, lighted up the throng with an
air Of goodness. There is a frankness
and sincerity among Methodist women
that | always admired. | love frank
ness and a plain strsight-forwarlness
above all other gifts of Heaven. The
tents were covered with white cotton
or homemade linen, some with new
boards. All the food was cooked, and
fires were only kept to cheer the eve
nings and make their tea and coffee.
The air of the evenings was gentle
and balmy as an angels breath; and
the camp fires fickered among the
green trees, and lighted up the sur
rounding forest with holy splendor.
The singing in the wild woods by these
night fires, the tents ranged in a vast
circle, and each group or family by
the tent door, and clear light flick
ering up on the altar, and the broad
plain faces OF the large circle of prea-
cheers, lighted up the whole scene with
a wild enchantment that | can never
forget. The evenings were opened by
prayer and singing, and then a SER
mon from some younger brother. They
we're saving the big guns for Sabbath;
for strong onset upon the citadel Of
Satin; and a grand gathering of the
saved into the fold of the Lord, for n
finale. This was the last camp meet.
ing that ever attended, and what
made 1t particular happy one to me,
was, that young lady attended il
that afterwards became my wife. Her
figure was tall and graceful, her eyes
deep. clear blue; her hair dark, aud
combcd smoothe over a snow-white
brow, which gave her sweet and smi-
ling features, most charming simpli-
city. An hour was appointed for re-
tirement in all the tents; but some
how ailer prayers were lone many Of
the young ladies and young gentlemen
sat upa long time TO 'catch. Where
love was proclaimed Us free, our young
hearts could see no harm in loving,
even when the csmp-6res were out
and the lamps shone dimly among the
trees, the lamp of love shone brightly
in our hearts. The mothers were al
ways on hand, and as watchful as
hungry hawks. They viewed us with
no special regarj, and frequently re-
proved their daughters for such late
watching, warning them that their
souls would miss blessing IL they did
not wait on the Lord. but nightly the
sin of watching was repeated. That
may have been sin and offensive to
God, but those hours we're pervaded |
with a isihomless blessing, the memo
~ Of which wakes a strong echo in
my sp'ri'' ana SENDS a o'g sou lear
"rop tracing down my sheek'
Those camp fires have been extin;
gnished for twentyeight or nine years,
and my heart Is yet full OF lie emo
lions. That dear one sleeps lar away
in the deep gravel bed, and the green
grass springs over that mound, around
which my heart fingers with emotion.
Saturday night came and every
hour the excitement became more in
tense. The sermons were rousing, the
PRAYERS more stirring, symptoms OF