The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-04-04

The sunday Camp Meeting Question.

The sunday Camp Meeting Question.
Editors lntelligenceF.
The Methodist Episcopal Church is di.
vided on the camp meeting question. A
great many Of her members take no part
in them, and rarely attend, believing that
but little good Is done through them. An.
other part Of the church love the tented
grove, and believe that much may be done
for the cause by this means. These are
divided into two classes, those for and
against open gates on Sunday. All Of our
church papers, / believe, without an exceP-
tion, have most Cmphatically condemned
open gates on the Sabbath.
Our General Conference at Cincinnati, in
May, 1880, and many Of our annual con.
terences-all that have taken action on the
subiect-have pronouncen against open
gates in language not easily misunderstood.
A minority, small but respectable, Of the
Wheeling District Camp Meeting Associa.
tton, who believe the official action taken
by our church is wise and founded on the
Bible, hNve protested again und again
against the action OF Il majority OF the
Board, who are determined 10 compel us to
leave the association and camp grounds or
DO violence 10 our consciousness
These brethren have recently develOped
an anxiety for the conversion Of sinners
that is truly refreshing. They say, keep
none out on Sunday" who tan raise ten
cents TO pay for Gdmittance. Let them
come in and be saved. OF course they
care not for the money the Sunday crowds
bring. Perish the thought! They have no
such low and sOrdid motives. Their motto
seems to be the old Romish doctrine, "the
end jpstiiles the means" or that one equal
~ pernacious, do evil that good may come
In the election last August for members
OF the board, but two ministers were elect.
cd out OF board Of twenty-five, and to be
sure they were warranted IN believing thew
were notwanted. These open gate brethren
have raised an issue that will not down nj
their bidding, but will eliminate in the
breaking up Of our old camp ground, or,
what would be worse, turn Il iHi0 goddess
summer resort.
We must give these friends credit for
honesty OF purpose, and desire to forward
the interest Of the camp meeting, ut least
financially, and il camp meetings are for
the purpose Of making money, then they
can manageit well and successfully, though
the clergy may not put it an appearance.
Brethren, let US give heed 10 The men in
our church who have prayeriully, carefully
and intelligently studied this matter, and
VINO have come to the conclusion that
open gates at camp meeting on the Sabbath
Is q sin that ought to be spoken
against. 1t docs not require the ken OF u
prophet to see what the end OF this
will be. Camp meetings will be thing Of
other years, and in their stead a summer
resort where Mammon and fashion will be
enthroned; little religion with an inn
mense amount Of worldliness. We con.
denim our German friends for their Sunday
picnics, yet how much better are we? We
open our gates wide and give an invitation
to all to come and buy; yea buy tickets OF
admission, buy your dinner, your water.
melons, lemonade, &c. Not, however, with,
out money and without price, butdon't for,
get your pocket books, for we need your
money to improve and beautily our
l appeal to you, open-gate friends, to
know Il you have seen much or any good
done on Sunday with open gates. DO not
MI ieel relieved when the confusion and
worry, oil the day have passed. Don't the
church seem overpowcred and helpless be-
iore the surglng, gay and giddy crowds
We have two or three fine sermons to
which, perhaps, one.third Of the people
listen.
These brethren will, Of course now seeto
it that these thousands who come will be
personally appealed 10 on the subject Of
religion. We will expect them to lay aside
ease, overnuch modesty, and perhaps, the
fragrant stogie, and with zeal worthy OF
our imitation, go out and bring the people
to the cross. VIslToR.