The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1881-07-23
Tho camp. Meeting season.

The groves we're Gods first temples and the
desire of Christians 10 worship in the open air
seems indestTuetibic. has been thought by some
writers that the Gothic cathcdras that still stand
the admiration aud delight Of the world, were
modelled upon the leafy arches of the forest. The
trunks Of aged trees stand like the columned aislcs
Of the eathetrais, their boughs meeting overhead,
making an afched traccry aud fFetwork OF far liner
workmanship than ever has been carved In stone.
The wind moving through this canopy gives the
diapasons Of natures great organ. In no temple
does the voice of praise and prayer sound 80 full
aud free as In the woods. Recently the seaside
has become favorite place for midsummer rcvi-
walls. Al more than one place there are perma-
nent camp. meetings by the eternal ocean.
OF late years camp meetings have not been so
successful in the number &c converts that they
have gathered in Ne they were u quarter of CEN
tury ago. They appear o. be places where those
who are already converted gather To worship.
rather than where the wicked so 10 be saved. ~
TO the Of this there differences Of opinion
One thinks that religion Is more staid aLd self
contained. less emotional and outp0uring than
formerly. The rxhortations are mote restrained,
the dread punishment of the future less wildly
portrayed, the hopes of the hereafter less bcauti-
fully real. Others think that the singing l. far
lee, fcrvent and soulful. They say that church
organs and saiarei choirs have taken the life out
of the old thrilling congregational singing 81 the
Methodist churches. In the elder days IL was the
hymn more than the cxhortation that called the
mourncrs to the mercy seat IL was the vast mul-
tituiinous shout. tingling with human rapture.
that opened To- their gaze the glories Of the new
Jerusalem and caught up their voices aiso 10 min
gle with the chorus-this rather than the STOOL
ishne.s of preaching" that called sinners 60 re
pcntancc and + new life. There others still
who say that~9snp meetings are less succcss.ui in
their revival aspects because the sinners cannot be
attracted to them, aud thus brought within their
influence. II this be "a. there Is defect In the
system ms now conducted. The fret requisite IL
e. call not the righteous but sinners 10 repentance.
To do this holiness should not stand too proudly
aloof from sin. Pharisccism and the hide. bound
sanctimoniousness that thanks God that IL IL not
other men are. repels sinners and makes them
hard &C heart \ wicked man is an:crci when
Piciy bends down over him, and calls him a mis-
cradle sinner and invites him to repentance; but
his heart il sofiencd when Pieiy knccis down in
the dust beside him, calling himself n sinner and
the wicked man his dear suffering brother-for all
are wicked. aud between the very good AMI the
very bad there l., in the sight Of the angels, only
n little difference.
II Is not because the conditions Of life and faith
and society and education have changed that
camp meetings have been less fruitful of great re
vivais than they have been in years gone by. for
Of late years Mr.. Moody, by his single minded
and Passionatc earnestness, has produced immense
results. IL his power be attentiycly considered,
IL will be found TO reside In sincerity and intense
earnestness. Doubt Is not in him, and doubt dies
itoh his presence lhcrc are otucr meu--tneEc
must be other. mcn-who believe with conv lotions
as deep as those Of Mr.. Moody. Why u IL that
they caunOt make others fcrf the soidity of
anchorage, Why do the hymns he leads and the
prayers he utters reach the hearts Of his hearers
more surely than those Of others! II Is not clo-
qnenee alone; others are rs CITED as he. II l.
difficult question TO answer. Yet, upon that an
swer depends the success Of the camp. meeting
yivals. There must be something 10 call the
worldly minded to the camp. meetings and some
thing to captivstc mind aud heart when they get
there iHsricas.