Morning journal and courier., 1884-08-08
THE CAMP MEETING:


 est Despite the Rain-NeVv ArrivaIs-
 The Old and the New-The Annual
 Election of Officers.
 The scene on the camp ground yesterday morning was not favorable to inspiring the looker-on with the belief that all the camp meeting people could be in the best of spirits. The wet grass, the dripping leaves, the dull, leaden sky and the general cheerlessness which reigned in nature were not favorable to elevating the spirits of either the sterner sex or the ladies' But it is different now in camp meeting from old times. Now, the substantial frame cottage takes the place of the unreliable canvas tent to great measure and instead of city of tents the majority of the camp meeting public are as well sheltered from rain as they are at home. For this req son the meetings are far less affected by the rain and bad weather than they used to be, and the meetings this week have been fraught with deeply earnest and fervent spirit and the sermons are as earnest, soul-stirring and eloquent as any in former times. The speak CTS are less of the rough and ready sort that were found twenty years ago. More culture and less vehemence is apparent. The ser mons are often full of thought that excites thought and show that the speakers are men of the times, ready to meet infdelity and un- belief in whatever form it appears. While some of the sermons touch upon the opposi- tion and claims of unbelieving scientists, others are less pretentious and more in the form of telling appeals, and though ejacula- tions in meeting from the hearers in the shape of "Amens' are not as frequent as once, there is just deep feeling apparent in the silent but earnest drinking in of the truth. There seems to be both good food for the spiritual nature and food for the physical at the camp meeting of to-day. One trouble of camp meetings in former years was the lack of places where meals could be obtained. To be sure good sisters, Marthas, who be- lieved in a well stored 1arder at home and knew how to provide it, were not lacking, and it was singular how often the clergymen knew just when meal time came at these good sisters family tent, and had received an invi- tatlon to ask the blessing in ample time for their service at the repast. Nowadays good board is found at the camp ground for one dollar day The boarding department is under the supervision of the trustees themselves
 The following preachers are among the late arrivals: The Rev. J. c. Breckinridge Meriden; G. B. Dusinberre, Watertown; c. E. Miller, Bristol; W. F. Markwick, Yales- vile; David Nash, Copper Hill; B. Pillsbury Forestville; J. L. Peck, Waterbury; F. Saun- ders, Milford; w. A. Richards, Durham; Pro- lessor W. E: Schofeld, Hackettstown insti- tute, N. J.; G. E. Stockwell, Salem, Troy conference, N. Y, formerly principal of the High school, Windsor Locks; c. H. Talmage, Hig, ganum; c. B. Ford, of New Haven; H. .. Judd, Seymour; w. Wake, Bloomfeld s. M. Hammond, New Britain: E. Warriner, Clinton; c. Lathbury, Bakerville. The at of fho Toip io than usual. This may be accounted for in part by the desire of the societies to have their ministers accompany them to the camp meeting, and the better accommodations in the preachers lodgings.
 The annual meeting of the trustees was Elder Wardel1 acted as chairman and J. M Parker as secretary. Norman Smith, treasurer, reported the ex- pense of last years meeting as $1, 100. The present indebtedness of the association is $50. The property of the association, in cluding twenty acres of land, preachers house, boarding tent, camp seats. etc., has cost s4, ,277 21 The trustees were appointed committee to consider the propriety of erecting tabernacle to accommodate about 200 persons. Elder Wardell and Messrs Smith and Parker were appointed to consult the railroad authorities to induce them, if possible, to aid in the convenience and
 
 The following persons were elected trus- tees: Norman Smith, Hartford; Joseph Foy, Simsbury; s. M. Parker, Hartford; J. H. Sessions, Bristol; s. Clapp, Windsor; Pro- lessor R. G. Hubbard, New Britain; J. w. Osborne, Birmingham; c. Buckley, Meriden; Baldwin, New Haven; w. A. Greg ory, Forestville; s. T. Camp, Middletown. General attendance at the meeting was by far the largest of the week The early pray CT meetings yesterday were well attended, some of the tents being crowded far outside of the entrance. Just previous to the ser vices in the grove interesting meetings were held in the Southington, Seymour and West Granby tents, large numbers taking part at each service.
 The train from Hartford at S:15 arrived at the grove erowded-seats, aisles and plat forms. The attendance from Hartford this year has been unusually rarge, several fami- lies staying through the entire week or for a few days.
 When the bell sounded for the morning | service swar1ns of people gathered from all | directions-the tents emptying forth their l scores of earnest worshippers. This meeting l opened at 9:30 and the first half hour was occupied in praise and prayer. Before 10 1 o'clock the hour for the sermon, the 1 ,50O | seats were filled, with border of people in camp chairs. This makes the largest audi | ence yet assembled. The Rev. D. G. Dow 1 ney, a Wesleyan student now stationed at Windsor, read the scripture lesson, after which the entire assemblage joined in sing | ing Salvation, what joyful sound" Presiding Elder Wardell then made re- port on the good work ofthe meetings. He stated that several conversions had taken place, and alsos that large number more were almost ready to begin a new life He 1 read @ letter from Bishop Malalieu regrettine his inability to be present at these meetings. The sermon was by the Rev. Dr. J. L. Peck, of Waterbury, who took for his text 1 the following:
 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James and mountain apart.
 And was transfigured before them, and his face did shine the sun, and his raiment was white as the hght.-St. Matthew xvii, 1-2
 Five minutes after the reverend gentleman had been talking, and just as he had got the attention of the audience, the batter of rain drops on the trees above caused commotion, Ladies started for their respective tents, and hundreds of umbrellas were raised over the heads of those who had come prepared for rain. During the necessary noise caused by the retiring of few hundred over the leaves, a gospel hymn was sung, after which the ser mon was proceeded with. The rain con tinued to fall during the entire service, but over 1000 persons sat and listened under umbrellas, the closest attention being paid to the earnest words of the speaker In the afternoon the sermon was by the Rev. G. P. Mains, presiding elder of the New York East district In the evening the Rev. c. B. Miller was to preach.
 To-day the sermon will be by the Rev. Dr. D. A. Goodsell, of New Haven, in the morn ing; Dr. Upham, of the Drew Theological seminary, in the afternoon, and by the Rev Samuel L. Beiler, of South Park church, Hartford, in the evening.