Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-07-11
Camp Meeting In Colorado.

| Chnp meeting IN Colorado. like mos
everything else, Is so different from Ohio
that 1t naturally excites remark especial,
by way OF contrast.
II Ohio, notably Uibana, can produce tn,
biggest camp meetings, Colorado can buas, o
the largest "out OF doors" and the mos
gigantic and magnificent noun ain scenery II
the world
Here in this wonderful San Luis valley
everything dwindles into comparative insig.
nfcance under the shadow of these eyerlast
ing bills, which constantly proclaim III,
mighty power OF God
In this land Of "msgniGcent distances
neighbors are far apart districts are hinly
settled, and congregations must necessarily
he small. So camp meetings even cannot be
| depended upon TO draw great crowds, whether
for sincere worship of the true God, or for
mere worldly pleasure and pnstime, or Sab.
bath dissertation in any form Let il be said
to the credit OF the Colorado camp meeting,
however, that there was neither buying nor
| selling on the Lords Day-not Of go much as
| a meals victuals, so far as your correspondent
| observed; neither was there smoking of
cigars or disorder or rowdyism of any kind
| on the ground
The location of the camp was in the great
San Luis valley, eighteen miles South of
Villa Grove, on the public road at Rito Alto,
and within one hundred yards OF the house
where am now living; in beautiful grove
of cotton trees, and also beside pear ly stream
| Of cool, refreshing mountain water: and only
| about two miles and half from the foot of
the magnificent range Of snow-capped, and
now snow-s,reaked, Sangre or Christie range
OF mountains. Six tents constituted the
camp all told
SO far as there was any need in seeking
place where Nature was wont 10 help the
wOrshipper to rise "througb Nature up to
Natures God" this was all that could be de-
sired. Standing In the Northeast quarter OF
a great eliptical Valley, so miles long by
SO miles wide, the eye could range at will
over some OF the most magnificent mouu-
tains in the world, their sparkling snow-caps
shining in the sunlight, until lost by distance
far down in New Mexico.
Many OF the peaks within the range OF yirion
are higher than Mt. Sinai, piercing the clouds
at $4,000 teet above sea level, and nothing
was wanting to make one of them, rising al
most from the borders of the camp, as awful
as was the burning mount in the presence of
the lsraelites but the clang Of the angels
trumpet, and the thunder. fire and smoke
which attended the descent of the dreadful
Sheknah, upon the burning summit. With
out any such miraculous manifestations, how
ever, but as fully assured OF the presence of
the great Am in their midst the tabernacle
was pitched by our good Methodist brethren
and worship to the mighty God of Israel
through the Mediator OF the new covenant
commenced on the 25th of June The tent,
or tabernacle, had seating capacity OF only
about 100, but was amply sufficient to ac-
commodate all who would attend in that
sparsely settled community, and among a
class who, as a general thing, care more for
the worship of the Golden Calf than the
God Of Moses; and it was at no time full of
hearers except on Sunday. But a more quiet,
orderly and attentive congregation nevefsaw
in such place and few ever heard better ser
mons.
For five days the meeting was continued,
with the usual programme Of sunrise prayer
meeting, other class and prayer meetings and
love feasts, and three preaching services each
day and evening.
There were five ministers in attendance,
and, except Sunday, the congregations num-
bered from 25 70 40, including preachers,
babies, children and ALL So, from the num-
Der OF Shepherds, it would be inferred that
the flock was well Pastored; and yet there
was brought back frohl the mountains of sin
during the whole OF the meeting, as far as !
heard reported, only one of the lost sheep of
the house OF Israel! But who will say that
one precious soul was not worth all the labor
and time expended for its recovery
At least Of one thing | am very certain:
II there were not as many converts reported,
and apparently as much good accomplished,
AS in an Ohio camp meeting, there WAS not so
much sin committed, nor so much evil perpe-
trated, rs is often done, in the name of soca-
bility, morality and religion especially on
the Lords Day. The "bg gun" OF the occa-
sion was Rev. DR.. McAnally, from ST. Louis,
and editor of the st. Louis Christian Adyo-
cate.
Though man IS years OF age he possesses
rare qualities as IA preacher as well as remark
able physical, mental and spiritual powers.
Better sermons than he preached--some hal
dozen or more--l have never heard on any
similar occasion. He seemed to love to talk
for the little good that might be accomplished
as well as tor the great results which most ex-
pect at sucli times. He declared in the midst
OF one Of his sermons, with all the iervor of
true missionary zeal: "lf | was assured that
there was soul in Alaska that nobody could
save but myself, and would never be saved
unless | went there for that purpose, would
not hesitate to go so far for the sake of saving
that one soul!"
Is it not true that one soul is of such in
finite value that all the treasures of earth are
not to be weighed against it? "For what
shall 1t profit man if he shall gain the whole
world and lose his own soul2"
never lived SO near camp meeting be-
fore-had to move 800 miles to locate with
in hearing OF one--and am free to say that
never enjoyed one so much; aud on the eve
OF striking our tents for another years march
as pilgrims, we all wept in the midst OF Fad
farewell, promising TO meet again, II not on
earth, In the Home over there"
r. p. THOMAS.