Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-18
Sunday Skylarking No More to In
terrupt Religious Services
AT THE TARENTUM CAMP GROUNDS
Why It Was Next to III possible to Get
Within the Gates, Yesterday.
IMPRESSIVE DEVOTIONAL EXERCISES

locks, thereby accomplishing the purpose
for which they were intended-the preven-
tion of the usual influx into the grounds Of
the festive picnicker, who. according to the
statements of many, has in past seasons
made the Sabbath day one OF fear and
trembling instead OF quiet and rest to the oc-
cupants Of the cottages.
Not vehicle crossed the Rubicon yester-
day, though any number of them were
driven to the entrance and the owners Of
tered hard cash to the sum Of $40 if they,
with their gay companies, might be allowed
to enter, but Mr.. r. S. P. Mccall was inex-
orable, and no amount Of entreaty prevailed
upon him to forget his position as President
of the association. He was not, however.
such very severe-looking parsonage when
seen at his cottage by the representative Of
The DISPATCH. Indeed, he was the per-
sonifcation of geniality and hospitality, as
he threw down THE DISPATCH of yester-
day and calculated, with much surprise:
SORT OF SURPRISED HIM.
''where did you come from?"
"Pittsburg."
"How did you get in here?"
"Scaled two fences and crawled under
one-probably the same way that paper got
in."
"Well, You certainly partake of the enter
prise for which the paper you represent is
noted, and really am sorry that you were
compelled to enter the grounds that way,
but it is a step made necessary by the abuses
the camp has suffered from certain portion
of the public within the radius Of % miles
during its past existence. For some time
the Pittsburg conference has been
urging the closing of campmeet-
ing gates on the Sabbath day,
but this is the first association that has had
nerve enough to announce the intention of
SO doing, and to carry it out. 1t is not
permanent innovation. but one that will be
in vogue long enough to insure victory for
the Tarentum campmeeting attendants over
the would-be Tarentum camp picknickers.
This is not the only place where religion
may be obtained in Tarentum, and a man
really in search of religion would not be re-
fused admittance to the grounds, though the
gates would not be opened for him."
''But is it the really religious class that
campmeetings are supposed to influence, or
is it the Indifferent, careless crowd that 90
to the campmeeting for an outing that the
services are intended to impress and eventu-
ally convert?"
LITERALLY ovERRAN THEM,
"Well, we have never closed our gates be-
fore, and in the past 10 years do not re-
member single conversion in the meetings,
nor in any campmeeting know of in the
conference, and surely we have given that
class fair trial. They would not even at
tend the services, but would come here BY
the thousands-yes, 5000 or 5000 people
have often been here on Sundays, and
would literally take possession of
the grounds, and, with their unseemly mirth
and disreputable behavior, make it
a day of torture and fear to those that would
like to enjoy the religious services. The
grounds have actually been So crowded, at
times, that teams have been hitched to the
posts of nv cottage porch-and to what
purpose? Only to unite in making the day
one of such wild dissipation, by the use of
intoxicating liquor, that our wives and
daughters were unable to go even to
the spring for water without running
afoul of some of the violent examples
Of intemperance. In the face of all that
there was no course left us but to become
slightly exclusive if we wished Sabbath
of rest and devotion. For those wishin ng to
spend the Sunday with US, who will come
here Saturday night, there will be found
plenty of accommodation. Our first trial of
closed gates has been eminently satisfactory.
Every one is happy and SERENE" and even
as Mr.. Mccall was speaking, the sound of
sacred music was waited through the trees
from the pretty little auditorium that all
day long resounded with sweet song and
sacred teachings.
The morning service was one of the most
intensely religious order. The sermon was
delivered by Rev. S. T. Mitchell, of Taren-
tum, and was based upon the text, "And I,
if be lifted up from the earth, will draw
all men unto me-" Clearly and logically
the verse was explained by commencing at
the very foundation and inquiring into the
causes which made it necessary for Christ to
die in order to fulfil the law, satisfy the de-
mands of justice, and demonstrate His love.
His word and His teachings are the agencies
through which men are to be drawn to
Him, and the indications that the prophecy
is being fulfilled are to be seen in the num-
ber of people who are claiming to be dis
ciples of Christ. The date of His birth is
the basis of chronology and the existence of
the church.
THE MUSIC EXCELLENT.
Mr.. Harry johnson officiated as organist
and the choir was composed of talented vol
unteers.
Sunday school and song service occupied
the afternoon, and discourse by Rev. II.
G. Mead, in the evening, concluded the i'm
pressive services of the day.
Wednesday will close the series OF meet.
ings, and will be children's day, with ad-
dresses especially adapted to the little ones.
The entire camp will be decorated gorgeously
in honor OF the tiny visitors that are ex-
pected to swell the youthful army way nm
into the thousands. Little Pearl Kip will
deliver the formal address of welcome. and
Edith Myers will respond. Other interest
ing musical and recitative numbers will
make the exercises very enjoyable. Mrs
L. E. Stofel and Miss Kizzie Kennedy have
charge of the programme, and Mr.. Lewis,
Benton Shook. Frank Perry and others will
see that the camp is sradiantly beautiful with
flags, bunting, etc.
Those going to Tarentum on that day, or
any other day, will find Mr.. j. E. Loucks,
the assistant station agent, a most thorough
bureau of general information and a very
obliging gentleman. The camp itself is
one of the oldest in the vicinity of Pitts
burg, and the association is almost ready to
celebrate its tortieth anniversary and is free
from debt. 1t is beauti iullv located, the
plan OF arrangements being an oblong, the
auditorium occupying the center. From
the oblong of cottages which incloses the
auditorium, avenues are laid out at right
angles. Those occupying cottages for the
season are Mr.. and Mrs. A. j. Gibson, Mr..
and Mrs. Henry UhrIch, Mr.. and Mrs.
John Shook, Mr.. and Mrs. Edward Cough,
Mr.. and Mrs. r. S. P. Mccall, Mr.. and Mrs. |
Wilson, Mr.. and Mrs. Johnston, Mr.. and
Mrs. Thomas Perry, Mr.. and Mrs. W. P. |
Howe, Mr.. and Mrs. John S. Kennedy, |