Smyrna times., 1879-08-06


Yesterday. Now that the battle is over, it |
may be we'll to survey the field and note
the result-who won, who lost, how many |
were killed, how many wounded-in short, |
to collect the details of the fight and to |
ascertain whether it has been for evil or
for good.
1t will be remembered that when the
question of holding the camp this year was
first discussed, the project met with pro- |
nounced opposition. The controversy which |
ensued was, in some respects, bitter one,
for considerable feeling was displayed in it,
and, for some time, it was doubtful
whether there would be q camp or not.
The corporators were naturally anxious for
its success. Accordingly, they did what,
unded the circumstances, any sensible men
in their position would have done-ofered
the management of the concern to the
itinerant clergy. We all know how their
advances were received. The itinerant
clergy refused the trust. In the first place,
they were opposed to camp meetings any
way. In the second place, Camden camp
was their special abomination; and, thirdly,
they would not touch any camp that was
to be held on Sunday Animated by
spirit of concession, however, they did
announce their willingness to conduct one
from Monday to Saturday. The reason
assigned by them for refusing to conduct
meetings on Sunday was, that they believed
that the evil done on that day by ungodly
persons would more than counteract the
good results of the other six. If the camp
were to be held over two Sundays, the
harm done would be correspondingly
greater.
But the corporators viewed the matter
in different light. With them six day
camp was out of the question. If the feel
ings of the clergy referred to were to be re-
spected, Monday was too near Sunday for
the work of putting up tents to be done,
and Sunday too near Saturday for the work
of tearing them down to be accomplished.
Thus the six days dwindled to four, and as
during three of these the Divine blessing
would doubtless fall in the shape of rain,
but one would be left for effective religious
work. 1t was argued, and with force, that
the new plan would have all the faults OF
the old and none of its virtues. 1t was &C
cording rejected.
1t is inferred from this act that when the
eorporators turned from the itinerant tc
the local clergy, it was with the intention
in case they also failed to agree, to look
still further. We do not say that the in
ference was drawn. We only affirm tha
it was logical and, in the light of subse
quent events, it was even more SO than W.
might have thought. For it is in the wind
no matter how it got there, that even whil'
negotiations were pending with the loca
brethren, overtures were made to the cor
porators by another Church which CAV
promise of a satisfactory issue. We conclude
therefore, and believe it to be fact, that, bu
for the wisdom of the local brethren in &C
cepting the charge and performing it afte
the manner of the olden times, Camds
Camp would have passed into other hands
and the stronghold of one faith hav
become the fortress of another. The effeC
would have been inappreciable. Its eAeC
upon the Methodists Of this State woulC
doubtless, in some communities hay
been scarcely felt; but that in and aroun
Dover and the neighbofing towns and, il
deed, throughout that entire quarter, the
number would have very sensibly d
minished, there can be little question. Fl
the reason then that that event has n,
transpired, the Methodist church has eau
to be thankful that under its auspices the
was q camp held.
But distracted from sectarian consider
tions, there are other reasons, equally
cogent, for the community to feel gratsfr
We belief that the camp has been produ
tive of much good-that, in a religio
light, it was as successful as have been al
of its predecessors for years back, and th
the ciyilizing influence of the social eleme
was as keenly felt. The preaching WI
indeed, of high order of excellence. n
to mention the really creditable perfor
ances of some of the clergy in charge,
Newman on one occasion preached pow
full discouse; the efforts of DR.. Wheeler,
the Methodist, were listened to wi
genuine delight; and the sermons
Rev. Messrs. Streeter and Smith, /
Sunday, have been justly applaud
for their eIoquence and force. True,
encampment was small; but the attendai
was large-at times, reminding one of
years when there were between four b
dFsd and six hundred tents.
And now q word or two about the ORC
The itinerants, it will be remember
raising the cry of "Sabbath Desecratio
and based their hostility to the camp al
their dislike to see the Lords day profar
But that even on such occasions, the pro
observance Of that day can be enfore
has been demonstrated beyound the pc
bility of dispute. The camp, just o.
twasin progress two Sundays. Large GRO
were in attendance both times, and v
better illustration of obedience to
Divine injunction, 4 Let all things be d
in deceney aud ORDER" has been selt
witnessed. The rules against unneces
traficking also were strictly enforced.