National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-08-09
WASHINGTON GROVE CAMP.
Worship Beneath the Shade of the
Oaks.
Visited by n Heavy Rain storm-Ruies for
the observanoes of the Sabbath--No
Ioe-Cresm to be Soid-An Invoice
of Bootblack-The First Pub
lie Service Hold at tho
Camp Yesterday.
"Unto Thee Lin I up Mine Eyes"

mONTGOmERn
August 8, 1879.
Yesterday afternoon, while many Of the peo-
pie were busy raising and arranging their tents,
and tho sound of the workmsn's tools was heard
all over tho ground, tho sky suddenly became
overcast with clouds, and terrible rain storm
almost delugcd the camp. The waterproof
quality of every tent was fully tested, while
for moro than an hour the rain poured In
torrents. All work was suspended, and scarcely
soul could anywhere be seen about the grounds.
Few persons dared to venture from their tents
or cottages while tho storm lasted. Most Of
the tents stood the test we'll, and kept their
occupants quite dry. The few that leaked did
so for the most part of no fault Of their own
but because they we're poorly put up, were loft
without fly over them, or from some other
cause that might have been avoided. A tent
made of good canvas properly constructed and
well put up, will resist any ordinary storm IN
this climate. And experience has demonstrated
that they are quite as healthy places of abode
as structures made of wood, brick or stone,
and In many instances moro so. A large en-
campmont Of from two to four hundred tents
made of beautiful white canvas is an q tractive
SsN'N
from tho well-known establishment of J. w.
Loan & Co., of Baltimore, and are generally
very good tents. Mr. Wise, a tcnt.maker of
Baltimore, has two tents on the ground that
have elected much commentator. One of these
is occupied by Mr.. Wash. B. Williams. and the
other by Rev. Richard Norris. Rev. +. ID. Owen
has a tent on the front circle which he pur
chased from the establishment of S. Hemmen-
way. tent and sail-maker of Now York, which
has been much admired. 1t is 14x2l in size.
aud has In front a red and blue striped avn
ing which gives it a very attractive appear
ance, at the same time contributing greatly TO
the comfort and security Of the occupants.
Owing to the fact that so many of the peo-
pie were in an unsettled condition and others
had not yet arrived, tho first service of the
camp, which was TO have been held last even
ing, was postponed till to-day. The executive
committee held meeting the main object of
which was TO consider and adopt rules for the
strict observance of the Sabbath. An applica-
ton was made by Mr. Garrett for the prvi-
lego of selling ice-crcam on Sunday, but the
committee unanimously reatiirmed their for
mer action on that subject and denied tho APP
plication. The barber.shop will be closed and
even bootblacks will not BIO permitted to ply
their trade about the grounds on the Lords
day.
BY the way, speaking Of bootblacks, since
the camp began large number of negro
| tramps who have taken up the honorable avo-
| cation of backing boots at nickle pair, have
| congregated about tho depot and become quite
nuisance to persons going to the train to
await the arrival of friends. One of these
vagabonds on yesterday, finding business in
his line rather dull, thought to atone for his
ill-luck by picking gentleman's pocket.
He was detected however, and promptly ar
rested In his evil purpose. Major Morgan
will take immediate measures to have these
pests cleared away, and only a few bootblacks
| will be allowed to remain-such as arc known
| and well recommended.
The executive committee reappointed Mr.
G. j. Hall, of Ryland Station, sanitary inspcc.
| tor, with full power to mako daily examin-
alton Of tents and enforce such rules OH the
subject as may have been adopted by tho as.
| ISOLATION.
As wooden structures multiply tho necessity
increases for taking such precautions against
fire as may be possible at this far-removed
point from fire engines. hose companies, &c
Mr.. Richard Willett superintends that depart
ment, and large wooden buckets filled with
water are kept at the different cottages, in
case fire should occur. Most Of the cottages
presume, il not all, are insured, so that
there will be no need of insurance agents t.
turn their attention in this direction.
This morning, when the sun roso on the
encampment, and gentle breeze sprung up
there was drying time in those tents that
were so unfortunate as to have been drenchcd
by the storm.
The general question heard on all hands was
Did your tent leak last night?"
Some laughed and joked over it, Others got
out of humor and grumbled, and a few took IL
out in abusing the tent committee for not put.
ting up the tents better or else making more
favorable arrangements with the weather
clerk. That poor tent committee II any
man wants to enjoy means of grace, and have
frst-class opportunity to let patience have
its perfect work, he should Mt once apply for &
position on camp'meeting tent committee
If that doesn't satisfy his ambition IN that
direction, would advise him next to become
correspondent for daily paper, and report the
| occurrences &c, at an average camp-moeting
If he discharges faithfully the duties of both
these positions, and passes through all the
abuse, fault.fnding and criticisms incident
| thereto without getting out of patience,
would say that Saint Peter would not object
to his entrance into the Kingdom-at loast Oh
the score OF patience.
This morning at halfpast ten o'clock the
campers were called together for their first
public service. The tabernacle, having beer
deluged by the storm, was not in u fit cond
ton TO BIO occupied, and the vacant cottage o.
| Mcssrs. Hiss and Ireland was used for that
purpose. Rev. o. C.. Marriott conducted tn,
service, and preached very appropriate
spiritual and practical sermon from Psalmi
cxxiii, first verse, Unto Thee lift / NJ
mine eyes, o Thou that dwelleth In thu
heavens" He introduced the subject by re
| ferring to the circumstances under which the
utteranCe was made. The Psalmist, with hi
brethren, were in Babylonish captivity, sur
rounded by their insolent and cruel captors
who had no respect either for them or theii
religion. II was under the cruel taunts o
these prosecutors, and goadcd by their heart
less sarcasms, that the Psalmist said, "Untt
Thee lift up mine eyes" &c.
lie then proceeded to say that the text i'm
plied-frst, the lifting Of our thoughts Il
God. We should think Of God solemnly W,
should think of Him lovingly I'VE should thinl
OF Hin hopefully Second-It implied tn,
lifting f our desires to God Desires follow
in the train Of possibilities. The avaricious
the ambitious, the pleasure.seelser, seek h
attain to and enjoy that which is possible
Our desires must generate ia God must con
centrate in God must deyolope in God
Third-It implied the lifting of our service +
God and, fourth, the lifting of ourselves l.
God.
At the close Of the sermon an earnest praye
was offered and the benediction pronounced b,
Rev. Richard Norris,
The presiding elder has gone to Washington
to be absent till tomorrow, aud has left Rev
DIR. Owen in charge Of the religious service
. until his return.