Morning journal and courier., 1881-08-30

A Most Favorable Prospect for the Week
 -Preparations-The Good AccOmmOda-
 tions Changes and Improvements
 Twenty Thousand Dollars-The Open-
 ing Exercises To-Day.
 PLA1NvI1LE CAMP GROUNDS,
 August 29, 1881. To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
 The sound of the axe and hammer have been heard in the land to-day. Hundreds of busy hands have been toiling at the bench, and in pitching the tent lin the plain be- yond Jordan.' The day has been unusually warm, little air has been stirring, and the suns rays have beat down among the trees, Wherever they could find space large enough.) But the smiling faces that move hither and thither through this beautiful lit tie grove seem very familiar with the sum- shine.
 Never since the Methodists first came here in '66 has the outlook been so favorable. More people are present to-day than at the corresponding day of any preceding year. A larger number of society tents have been pitched than ever before, while about seventy five private tents are scattered here and there through the grove.
 The auditorium is in excellent condition. Nothing but the blue sky for canopy, but the dense foliage of the trees shuts out the suns rays and the seats are of the very best. The folding settees sent out by the New Haven Folding Chair company, are as good as the day they came, and the associa- tion has recently added five hund red of the Moody and Sankey rink chairs. The seating capacity is now something over D. 900.
 One can find as good accommodations here as he need ask. There are good lodgings in the tents and cottages, and the boarding house under the management of the associa- tion is fully up to it's high standard of last year.
 During the past year several changes and many improvements have been made. Five or six new cottages have been erected. North of the auditorium large reservoir has been built, where now is an inexhaustible supply of delicious spring water. Several of the av- enues have received some extra attention, and in other respects the large grounds, com prising about twenty acres, show marked improvement. Mir. Smith, secretary of the association handed us condensed report this afternoon, and it showed an expenditure, since the ground was laid out in 1866, of nearly $20 OO0, and it showed also, just as large receipt, for the association is unin- cumbered.
 The services at the stand will be presided oyer by Rev. George A. Hubbell, Presiding Elder of New Haven, who showed by his ex- cellent management, last yearathat he is the right man in the right place." Pro- lessor Sweeney, who met with such marked success at the Ocean Grove camp meeting this year, has been engaged to take charge of the singing. Dr. B. M. Adams, late of the First church, and other pastors in their sev- eral tents will hold twilight meetings every evening at 6:30 o'clock.
 The campmeeting services commenced this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock An hour was spent in earnest prayer to God for his bless ing. The excellent Hove feast'' of last year will be resumed tomorrow morning at o'clock. Preaching during the day at 10 a. n. by Rev. W. B. Webster, of Cheshire; at 2:30 D. m. by Rev. B. M. Adams, of Meriden, late of First church, New Haven, and at 7:30 p. m. by Rev. c. W. Lyon, of Seymour.