The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-08-17
DRIVEN OFF BY PRAYER.
A Large Camp Meeting and spiritaalists at
Conflict in the Woods.
philadelphia Record. July 81

philadelphia Record. July 81
In Langhorn Woods, twenty niles from
Philadelphia, on the Bound Brook line, q
number Of the Methodist churches OF Bucks
county have been holding q camp meeting
for the last two weeks. couple Of miles
down the line is the grove where the Spirit
ualists are holding forth. Two miles cannot
be considered as close proximity, and It is not
alleged that the stenEOrian tones OF the
Methodist have broken the slurnbers Of
the believers in the supernatural, or
that, on the other hand, the spirits have dis
turbed the meditations Of the levout. It Is
just probable that the Methodist might have
remained in ignorance Of the existence Of the
opposition camp meeting had IL fit theAnn fer
the fact that the woman who has figured
prominently in this city under the name OF
Mrs. Bliss, being DESTROYS OF obtaining more
privacy than the canp-grounds afforded, has
taken a cottage almost within q stone throw
Of the Methodist rendezvous. In this cottage
the old tricks Of the Blisses are nightly re-
enacted, and 1t is whispered that more than
one Of the neighboring Methodists have been
induced to participate In seance. Be this as
1t may, the church people are In the defensive,
and all their supplieations in behalf Of NAH
kind In general have been mingled with
special appeals that grace might fall on the
SpirituaIists In particular
Day before yesterday something occurred
which for the moment led them TO believe
that their prayers were to be answered. It
was Just after this monday meal, and the
pious were fiGcking to the tent for the usual
revival meeting, when q group OF strangers
was deserted crossing the field towards the
woods. There we're altogether six Of them
five men and q woman. The latter was soon
recognized as the s05 dtsaft Mrs, Bliss. OF
the remainder Of the deputation of Spirftu-
aIists, for as such they announced themselves,
two Drs. Watson and Taylor are eZ-M etho-
dist ministers, the latter having been expelled
from the Kansas Conference for heresy The
delegation was met BY q humber Of Methodist
r:y+Ir
Chaplain, NJ. FL. sisty, l.. B. Brown, O. z.
Cook and Amos Johnson. The object OF the
delegation was briefly explained. owe come
to offer you our greeting" said a Spirituallst,
"and to say that Ii you will allow some OF
our speakers to occupy your pulpit We on the
other hand, will be glad TO welcome some OF
your ministers in our rostruDn."
The divines almost gasped for breath when
this proposal was submitted. Elder Chap
lain was the first to reply, and In very plain
terms ne expressed the opinion that the
proposition was not one to be entertained.
Then Pastor Sisty asked for a spirituslist de-
claration OF principles, and the request being
complied with, he took a c1rsory glance at its
pages. This done, he exclaimed with indg-
nation: "This (hoiding up the book settles
the question of our affiiating with you. You
have no Christ, no atoHe1aene, no repentance,
no new birth no resurrection, no Judgment,
no hell. You allow every man to think as he
pieases, to act as he pieases. No; we have
no place for such as you"
This denunciation, delivered in rising tones
and with whitening scorn and emphasis, for a
moment dumbfounded the delegation Finally
DR.. Watson 50 far recovered himself as to adj
nit that among Spirituaiists every one was
free to believe anything he pleased. O. hen
ministers and Spirituaiists began q discus
sion on Christianity Id general and the Bible
In particular, which was abruptly closed by
Elder Chaplain emphaticaIly Informing the
delegation that Il would as soon invite Rob
ert Ingersol TO preach as one OF you With
this Gorge the delegation turned to depart.
Then ensued a scene which they had not
hundred OF the camp followers had gathered
around, completely encireiing the delegation.
aLet Us pray before you depart" suggested a
minister, and the crowd went down on It's
there was no means Of egress, and they re-
NAMED standing. Then one OF the brethren
began to pray, and the audience RESPONDED.
with Amen" and other CALCULATIONS. AS the
speaker increased In fervor he besought
mercy upon those who formerly preached
but now iishonored heaven. This reference
to two members Of the delegation brought
forth another chorus OF ''Amens." Women
Wept loudly and strong men rocked them
selves to and FROM their religious enthusiasm
80 that we all present may enter heaven,
pleaded the pastor.
'sWe will we will" shouted the Spiritual
lists in unison.
'But," continued the ezhorter. taking note
DI GNt interruptions, We KNOW LIIdG IObHlM2
shall enter therein that defiIeth or nnaketh a
lie. o. but many shall seek to enter in and
shall moi be able"
This time the spiritualists made no re-
Spouse.
When the prayer was ended the audience
arose, but the delegation lost no time in
moving away. Before they had gone raany
steps the strains Of the Old Hundred hymn
from thousand voices broke on their ears,
and the singing continued until they were
lost to sight