The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-05-24
From southampton.

HALF-YEARLY MEETING OF THE FRlENDS-
TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED PEOPLE
PREsENT-CROPs, WEATHER, ETC.
1Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.l
SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY, May -, 1882.
have lust been i'm attendance on the
balf-vear's meeting Of the Society Of
Friends, and. Supposing that it would not
be devoid OF interest, will give you some
account Of it. e is within the recol-
lection Of many OF your readers when
the Society had large membership
in This. State. and their yearly meetings
were attended by great crowds from all
parts Of the country, and often by minis
ters from abroad. For many reasons, I'M
necessary 10 mention here, their following
has OF late years diminished until the num-
Der was reduced below the minimum, and
If was attached TO the Baltimore yearly
meeting: and instead OF annual sessions,
lcVis,ating for the whole State. they now
hold semi-aunual meetings, reporting their
action to the superior body at Baltimore.
One OF these meetings is held in Richmond
in the fall and the other at Black-Crcck
Westinghouse. in southampton, in the
spring. Within the last twelve months
moro than iiity persons have Joined this
meeting on conversion, and Others have
made application for admission. These
meetings have always been attended with
interest, and the whole ncghborhood for
fifteen TO twenty miles around turn out 10
go there.
on last sunday the lowest estimate placed
upon the number on the ground was $500,
while many estimated il rs high rs $500, or
even more. The house was early filed 10
overlooking. and great crowd surround
ed IN imprOmptu stand, from which some q
the ministers spoke, they having divided
so that some might preach there while
Others remained in the house.
After the morning hour there was q re-
cess for lunch, when preaching was again
resumed.
This morning there was on hour OF pub
lie worship, after which the business OF
the meeting was attended to; then lunch
and another religious meeting i'm the alter
noon. There were not so many present A.
on Yesterday. but the house was well files.
Amongst the ministers present from other
states noticed Or. James Thomas and his
wife, Mrs. Mary Thomas. II Baltimore;
James Il. Jones and J.. i. Moore, Of North
Carolina; Mrs. Sarah p. Morrison and Va
than Perry. OF Indiana. The lat is q
younc-lookng man, apparently bat little
over twcnty-onc years old, Tut he is said to
speak with great calnestne,> and power.
The occasion was altogether IN interest
ing one. especially 10 those who but sell
dom are privileged to sec such asscmblageS
in the country.
This country is in the heart OF the pea
nut-producing portion Of the State, as
also in the cotton belt, and is blessed with
a rich soil. which pours it, abundant yield
into the planters pockets. So far, how
ever. the season has been unprOpitioUs for
either OF these two staples. The cold, wet
weather OF the last few weeks has killed
ont so much Of the Young cotton through
out this whole section that many field, VIII
have to be ploughcd up and replanted,
while the same cause operates 10 prevent
the sprOuting OF the peas.
This is one OF The few counties in the
state where there promises 10 De on album
dant crop OF fruit, I'D the apple brandy
for which il l. so famous, viii not bc lack
ing thi, winter. People here al live WELL
Provisions are plenty, and all early vecc-
tables are in abundance. The streams are
full OF fish, and deer and turkey, are abun-
dant i'm the forests. ATCH.