The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-01-07
What Camp Meetings have
Done.

The camp meeting season has closed. Field
day Is over for 1879 What is the result? Has
this massing of forces for general advance and
assault upon wrong achieved results to be ap-
Plauded? Is the method superior to the old line
of work? Let the facts answer.
The Rhode Island camp-meeting at Coventry
Centre was of a mixed constituency. and man
aged by Adventlsts, who spoke quite bravely for
certain measures of reform, particularly in the
matter OF temperance But the attendance was
not large on the part of workers as distinguished
from takers. Nor were the religious results
conspicuous. The social element was over-sbad
owing. Too many went out of curiosity and
to have good time socially.
Inc Douglas campmeeting, over the northern
border, was devoted as usual, to holiness" and
the means for securing that grace. 1t was a
meeting OF the elect for the elects sake. Little
was attempted in the old line of work to save
the pershlng. Precedence and emphasis were
gwen to the conversion of Christians to their
peculiar views of holiness The labor was not
style - '''' 0i' ''l'O''oii'
Inc Hebron camp-meeting over the eastern
border, was IN the interests of those who lool,
Tor a second bodily coming of the Lord They
Stlrm 1t to be their mission to maintain the
doctrine OF the personal, visible glorious pre-
millennlal epiphany" Their success seemed 10
-, 80 CAASCui aging one aQOJler. Very
world VIC ou'Si"e
Inc Marthas Vineyard camp meetings have
mad by far the largest following II Il com
Puted that more the $4,000 different nersons
nave been present first and last in the wonder
luI cottage City" These have been Metho-
qIstS' Baptlsts, Presbyterians, Liberals and non.
d goscrlPIs. Here were all types of piety ortho-
doX' rink, camp-stool Yacht. and excur
SION SION. The history of these meetings. begun in
1902 Is quite instructive. At first they were
purely religious now they are something be-
sldes. Land speculations, recreations an,use
Inents, and some things that wear the aspect of
qqoesss lP have put in an appearance. In
10 100 uhe secretary reported nine tents about e.
Wy persons present, and G5 conversions. Tn
1907 reports mentioned 4 900 persons present
ana l4O conversiOns-the largest number of con.
VerJs ever reported. The percentage of CONVEX
SONS since that date has steadily decreased
WINE the attendance increased Indeed corn
Paratively, the work of the first wear was tIo
Dest. Now we may count about 200 COTTAGES
ana tents, three chapels, one temple and one
.oOeI hacIe' ana at least three weeks are devoted
10 tne special meetings. And what are the
visible religious results2 In the assaulf pror
me powers Of darkness what is accountability
= ne baPusts began their work i'm 1875 and can
ma i@i uiy De judged yet, as to results But we ask
low many nave they won from the world2 The
Methodist5 report a few inquirers and some CON
FSIts. Dut the footing is small as compared with
olden times What is the difficulty Has the
elect host consented to an alliance with the chill
lren OF this world to make an onset uDon the
Of eyil2 To mere looker-on i'm the
cottage City such fear will arise Steam
boats. hotels restaurants Kinks yachts. turnouts
iihd pleasure parties, are not seemingly verv
lleyout and painfully disregard the Lord s-day. |
= ~ ei Chls mantled If not amOred with n re. |
igious profession. 1t is not cynical but pbilo. |
PPhi,cai and wise, to inquire after the utcome
u an TINS great movement-tho greatest camp |
meeting demonstration Of the world Ietus put
me matter IN figures -E.romiaer and Chronicle. /