Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-10

DONOhl AOOOOl
teresting in the history Of this generation.
me ga. sSamp-mseting has been an institution
the advent OF Methodism In America. and
while u has disappeared from many sec
tons u survives here in oil its old vigor.
simplicity. aud religious .fervor. Before
the war, when the Methodist Church was
undivided. there were several places on
the Eastern Shore of Virginia where camp
meetings were held every year, but of re-
cent years the Southern Methodists have
lington's woods, while the Northern
Methodists, who are not so strong here,
have held theirs at Wise's Point, on the
BAY shore, and more recently ut Parksley.
on the New York, Philadelphia and Nor
folk railroad.
THE CAMP.
The Southern Methodist camp is sit
uated on an elevated plain in the midst OF
O fine grove of old oaks and pines. In the
centre stands huge tabernacle supported
by stout posts and covered with boards
and capable Of seating comfortably more
than two thousand souls. Grouped around
the tabernacle are, the rude plank cottages,
termed "tentsn in the local vernacular,
-
four sides Of the tabernacle. and which,
having two rooms each. one below and
one above, serve as habl@tions Tor
those who remain on the ground
during the progress OF the meeting.
These are owned by private families,
who occupy them during the meetings and
IN them give hospitable entertainment to
friends and strangers who come from a DIS
lance. Outside the tents are the cooking
f,,r+Ia- ont the
front side of the tabernacle are the booths,
where ice-cream, lemonade, and contec.,
tioneries are sold. There are also several
large boarding tents, where transient vlsl-
tors can obtain good meals, and limited
number lodging through the nights.
THE SERVICES.
There are five services every day. Early
in the morning Just after sunrise the peo-
pie are summoned by the ringing OF a oel
TO attend morning prayers. by o'clock
breakfast is over, and about one and hair
hours later q service OF song and prayer ~
held, accompanied now and then by an
old-fashioned experience meeting. AL
1880 the regular services begin and ser
mon is preached. After dinner a similar
service is held lasting till O'clock. when
a recess of three hours is given for rest and
refreshment. After supper the services
are resumed and kept up till late at nlght,
and when the nights are calm and clear the
songs of the worshippers can be heard Tor
miles away throughout tho surrounding
country.
A STRIKING SPECTACLE.
To see On Eastern Shore camp-meeting
in full blast IL indeed striking and
picturesque spectacle. While the services
are going on strict attention is paid by the
people who fill the tabernacle and tine
doors and windows of the front tents.
One cannot but be impressed with the
earnest zeal and piety of the worshippers,
and it is the universal experience OF those
who attend these meetings that the interest
in them increases Ip to the close. Inc
shaded avenues that surround the camp
grounds arc thronged day and night with
young folks. who promenade IN couples, or
when wearied with walking may be found
sitting IN top-buggies or on rustic seats IN
the shade OF the trees. The chlldreh, 700;
are there in full force, and the woods ALL
around are made vocal by their merry
voices.
LOCAL MINISTERS.
The meeting now in progress has been
carried on almost entirely by the ministers
residing in this section, the only visiting
ministers being Rev. ". &. Walden. OF
Berkley: Rev. j. II. Moss. Jr., of Williams
burg, and Rev. w. +. Robbins, of West
moreland. Presiding Elder Hank, IN
speaking of the absence of many MINIS
tiers who were expected to be present and
the great success Of the meeting, said that
they had sent for the D. ID. but that the
Lord had come in their stead and visited
them with refreshing showers Of His
blessing The meeting has indeed been
great success. Last night there were
nearly forty penitents at the altar, and
twenty-ssyen souls professed conversion.
making about fifty conversions during the
meeting.
EXCELLENT ORDER.
The order on the grounds has been ex-
cellent. Not one unpleasant occurrence
has taken place. and not drunken man
has been seen there since the meeting be-
gun. Ia former times much liquor was
sold on the sly ut these meetings, and
many funny incidents are related Of the
chase and capture of the old darkies that
once piled tins Illegal business. But now
not drop Of liquor can be had there Tor
love or money. One old topper, who has
long been in the habit of getting his
drains at the camp-meetings, is said 70 have
made the circuit OF the grounds early IN
the week pretending TO be half dead with
cramp-cOllc. He saw several OF the oldtel-
lows who formerly sold liquor on the
grounds. but they told him thew were now
did Judge Gillet would soon have them
working on the Changing, which he has
| recently organized in Accomac for the bene-
tit of law breakers.
THE CLOSE.
The meeting will close to-day and before
tomorrow comes the camp VIII be quiet
and deserted and those who have soiourn-
ed there for the past week Will be resting
| in their homes again.
ANOTHER MEETING.
The northern Methodist viii begin their
camp-meeting at Parksley tomorrow.
Sunday they will hold a great open-air
temperance mass meeting, at which Sena-
tor Colquitt. OF Georgia. and other dis
tinguished speakers are expected to deliver
addresses. During the meeting many
leading ministers of that Church will be
present and preach sermons.
Withs this the camp-meetings on the
Eastern Shore will end for this season,
and then will come the agricultural fairs,
one in Northampton and one IN Accomae.