Morning journal and courier., 1884-08-09
THE CAMP MEETING.
Successful week at Pia1nville-Rain
 Does Moi Interfere.


 1 w. F. Markwick, of Yalesville, on the life and | character of the Prophet Elijah. The preach CT presented the sharp points of contrast in
 the conduct of the heroic prophet, especially 1 in his great despondency and sublime cour- age. The discourse manifested most care l ful preparation, especially in the arrange ment of the sentences The Rev. George F. Mains, presiding elder of the New York l east district, preached in the Plainville taber- l nacle, on Luke K. 59:60 The speaker showed
 the necessity of making everything subser- l vien to Christianity, beautifully Illustrating | from the life of St. Paul the effect of giving up all to the Master. Thursday and Friday
 are the days for which tHe- great preachers
 are held in reserve, as the people are .accus-
 toned tolook upon such daSeg as".the chief 1 ones of the meeting. k5~,t'xz Thursday morning's discourse was by Dr. Peck of Waterbury. pr. Peck practiced medicine for six years, but has for. several
 years devoted his time to ministry of the soul. His subject was t'The words and
 works of Jesus, or Christ giving rest to the
 weary soul" Q) Where? and @ How? On the sea and on the mountain, and by the revela- tion of himself, and the eternal world to the
 
 after the revelation on the mount. The au- dience remained to the close, dur ing constant shower. Elder Mains was announced to preach on the stand, but on account of the storm other brethren preached also. The Rev. H. Scho- field preached one of the sermons. c. w.. Lyon preached in the Meriden tent concern I ing 'FThe Sinners Advocate with the Fa- ther," and Arthur Smith of Long Island ad-
 dressed the young people in, the Bristol tent on the enlightening power of the scrip lures. All these services were well attended, and the cheerful appearance of the people contrasted strongly with the dark and stormy weather.
 The camp meeting correspondent of the Hartford Courant defends the meeting from the theory that it is less attended than for merly, especially by city people He says: 'FIt is true the hard sinners do not come, as in former years, to seek to enjoy themselves at the expense of the worshipful and well disposed. Such characters have evidently become discouraged through the influence of the efficient police force kept on the ground during the meeting, but there appears to be no decrease in the number of respectable cit izens The church members come largely as usual; the young people, and especially the children, come more numerously than in former years, and the comedy and homelike appearance of the tents indicates that the people have come to stay. While few society tents have not been erected for several seasons, other societies are erecting tents and neat cottages from year to year, and the number of family tents is increasing each summer. The trus- tees have been obliged to enlarge the grounds twice, and they propose to erect a tabernacle to accommodate two thousand persons. This rainy week calls for such a convenience. As the week has been thus far unfavorable, as the rainy season has embarrassed the farmers I,o11, a5,1 aisn
 out of employment this election year, under
 the circumstances, the attendance is remark ably large. The camp-meeting will continue to be 8 vacation season for mulhtudes."
 The services at the Middlefeld tent Thurs
 day evening for the young people were thus
 ually interesting, and were very satisfying to
 the many souls who took part in them. The
 preaching services of the evening were con ducted by the Rev. MT. Richards, of Durham, and the Rev. MT. Jernberg, of East Berlin.
 Notwithstanding the annoying rain, the peo- pie derived much spiritual benefit and intel lectual satisfaction at the hands of these clergymen.
 There should be mention made of the good quality of 4he singing throughout the
 meeting, and in connection it may also be observed that the 1abors of the Rev. MT. Cur tis and Professor Turner have been greatly appreciated by attending campers.
 Yesterday (Friday) morning one of those
 soul r0V1V1ng sermons so CQaraCC6f1SC1C' the
 Rev. Dr. Goodsen was heard by about 1 ,0O0
 people, and feeling a1usions were made to
 the love and duty of the child of God. In
 the afternoon the Rev Dr. Upham, of Drew
 Theological seminary, preached. The theme
 was . sweet one for those souls which thirst
 after spiritual thought, and the driving
 home of every nail of religious duty was fol-
 lowed by frequent resolutions in the listen
 ers' minds. Tonight the new pastor of
 South Park church, of Hartford, will preach,
 and his discourse is looked for with much
 interest
 This morning at 8 o'clock the annual love feast will be observed. Many Methodists are 10th to stay away from this service. Of whole hearted, simple and pure, Methodism, it may be justly said there does not exist a better and more satisfactory proof. than the love feast which closes camp meeting week in the New Haven district. Ii @'+
 SHORT HISTORY OF THE CAMP GROUND.
 The Hartford Post says The camp ground was selected in 1865. Rev E. E. Griswold, D. D., then presiding elder of the district, invited members of various churches in the district to meet for the purpose of selecting ground which should be well adapted flor camp meeting purposes, and conveniently located to accommodate the churches in the district. The meeting was held, and after examining various places the present loca- tion was selected and five acres purchased, and improvements at once commenced. It required considerable of 8 layout to prepare it for the purposes for which it was designed; but in view of its being away from any large town, and the lay of the ground being specially favorable, with good spring water, these, among other reasons, led the committee to locate the encampment where it is. During the nineteen years which have elapsed since that purchase, many inn provements have been made, the encamp- ment enlarged by the purchase of fifteen ad- IsI the association owns twenty acres. The first year there was fair attendance, and quite number of society tents. The first circle of the encampment is regularly laid out and devoted exclusively to society tents. These tent lots were appraised and then put up at auction, the society making the highest bid over the assessment having the first choice. The sale took place on the ground July 29, 1867, Rev. M L. Scudder, D. D.. presiding. The first choice was taken by Meriden at a premium of $45 Hartford First church second at $42, Bristol $32, First church, New Haven, $30 etc. Since then the first circle has been filled with society tents, and second circle laid out, upon which several society tents are now located. Several avenues have been laid out for pri- vate tents and are now mostly occupied, the number increasing every year. One of the most prominent and con venient buildings is that erected by the cor ROAoOAOAAs AAOSA front, one being occupied by the presiding elder, the other is the office of the associa- ton. In the rear is the oil room. The en- tire upper floor is devoted to lodgings for the preachers-spring beds and an abundance of bedding for their use The boarding tent is also the property of the association and is well furnished with suitable crockery, cut lery, etc.
 ". When the organization was first completed it was entitled ''The Camp Meeting Associa- tion of the New Haven district Its officers were president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer and an executive committee consisting of nine members. The officers elected September 5, 1866, were Rev, E. E. Griswold, D. D., presidents Rev. M. L. Scud- der, D: D., vice-president; Rev. c. E. Glover, secretary; Norman Smith, treasurer; execu- tive committee, William Manchester, Forest vile; John M. Parker; Hartford; George M. Hall, Meriden; Alexander Storer, New Haven; John H. Sessions, Bristol; Joseph Fay, Simsbury; Waldo Corbin, New Britain; Timothy M Curtis, Collinsville; s. S. Scran- ton, Durham. At the May session of the legislature of the State in 1869 new constitution was passed, and the corpo- rate name was changed to the 'Hew Haven District Camp Ground Association" This act provides for the appointment an-