Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-17
THE F0RTIETH YEAR
OF the Tarentum Campmeeting AssO-
citation Duly Celebrated.
HISTORY OF THE ORGANIZATION.
A Large Attendance at the Religious Meet
ings Yesterday.
MUCH INTEREST BEING MANIFESTED

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over :, 500 people on the grounds yesterday
This is the largest crowd that has visited
the grounds in any one day for five years
There were no excursions run to Tarentum
as the association had requested the railroad
company not to make a reduced rate.
The beautiful grove was a scene of peace
full pleasure and contentment The church
tent was filled to its utmost and severa
hundred people lounged around on the grass
close enough to hear the service. The cot
tagers sat in their doors and from there
could hear a good share of the
sermon and all the music. Hundred:
of others strolled quietly through
the park or reclined lsnguidly on the grassy
carpet. engaged in pleasant conversation.
There was no loud talking or laughter and
apparently it was model campmeeting as
semblage Nothing occurred to disturb the
quiet of the grove or the Solemnity of the
religious services. Tarentum is one of the
most beautiful of places in which to spend
n quiet Sabbath, and yesterday would be
considered an ideal day by those who love
the quiet solemnitv of out-of-door religious
services. There was complete absence of
the old-fashioned Methodist campmeeting
scenes, but strong religious fervor per-
vaded the camp.
THE DAYS RELIGIOUS SERVICES.
There were four meetings held yesterday.
The dav opened with an old-fashioned ex-
perience meeting. Great religious enthusi-
asm was DISPLAYED, and the meeting proved
one of the most interesting ever held on the
ground. AT 1920 Rev. W. E. Gledden, of
East Liverpool, O., preached. Mr.. Gledden
is an evangelist of considerable reputation.
He has held some excellent meetings in the
coal districts of Pennsylvania and elected
much interest and wss quite successful in
securing converts. 1t has been remarked BY
many that his services are much like those
of Moody.
In the meetings at Tarentum Mr. Gledden
is assisted bv several Pittsburg ministers.
One of them is Rev. DIR. E NJ Wood;
another is Rev. Mr. Fogle, a missionary
among the Germans of Pittsburg, but also
very strong English talker. There are also
other Pittsburg ministers in attendance,
but the neighborhood ministers of the
NJ. E. church are mainly conspicuous by
their absence. However, since the trus-
tees employed an evangelist, they do not
require the services of the local ministers.
At . P. NJ. Rev. DIR. Wood preached
most interesting sermon from the text,
Luke l., 1919 He was listened to atten-
lively throughout his discourse, and appar-
emily reached the hearts of his auditors
A SUBJECT CAREFULLY AVOIDED.
One of the best features of the services is
the music There is considerable talent
among the cottagers and they have organ
lied an excellent choir. Yesterday the
choir was assisted by male quartet from
Tarentum, which added greatly to the inter-
est in the service.
The subject most carefully avoided was
the recent trouble between the ministers
and the association. While the directors
feel that their action in keeping the grounds
open on Sunday was completely vindicated
by the mass of Methodist Episcopal people
of the neighborhood, who showed their ap-
proval by attending the meetings yesterday,
they have little to say on the subject.
They consider that it is best left as it is.
''We really believe that this is the way
to place the religion of Christ before the
people" said one of the directors, land it
is our duty to do so. 1t would be Just as
reasonable for a city church to close its
day as for us to close our gates against peo-
pIe who wish to attend the services. KNOCK
and it shall be opened unto you would be
made a mockery by any such proceedings.
We feel fiattered at the success of the meet
ings Our only financial support comes
from the hitching privileges and the col
lections, yet we find that financially the
meetings have been most successful This
morning 100 shares of 81 each were offered
in the congregation, and in ten minutes SO
had been sold. This is much better than
has been the case heretofore
FoRTIETH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED.
On Saturday the fortieth anniversary of
the association was celebrated by an inter
esting meeting. The big tent was beauti-
fully decorated. Over the pulpit was dis
plaved the figures "'5l-'91," with a back
ground of flags and evergreens. The ar
rangements for the celebration were con-
Quoted without any reference to the recent
troubles with the ministers and all were
invited to be present. An audience of 700
people were in attendance and among them
were 80 who attended the first meeting in
the camp grounds 40 wears ago. They were
aged people whose hair had grown white in
the service of their Masters cause. Five
ex-presidents were present and among them
was Jacob h. W. Alters, e1-prothonotary
Of Allegheny county, who, on account of
his seniority, was choser- to preside.
One of tile most Interesting features of
the programme was the "reminiscences of
the older members. Five OF ten-minute
speeches were made by John g. Matthew'S
William jackson, John Gibson and Mr.
Walters, of Pittsburg; "Uncle Benny"
Miller and Sampson Alter, of Freeport, and
nany others. These gentlemen recalled
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we're remembered by others in the audience.
they apparently greatly enjoyed the meet
ing, and it was love feast indeed.
a HISTORY OF THE ASSOCIATION,
A history of the association was read bv
L. E. Stofel, eX-President of the organiza- |
ion. 1t developed some very interesting |
historic facts, and showed the great advance |
made in the religious world in the past 40 |
Tears. The organization grew out of a COM |
nittee appointed by the Wesley NJ E. |
Church Of Pittsburg, which succeeded in |
getting the cooperation of churches in the |
,ity and the congregations at Tarentum,
Freeport and Butler. That committee Wis |
ted the grounds now occupied by the camp, |
md the beauty of location and romantic |
were SO impressed upon their |
minds that they made the selection. The |
lnlv member of that committee is William |
Thompson, the East End real estate dealer. |
The first meeting proved to be remark |
ble religious affair and there were between |
90 and 200 conversions The only way to |
nd it was to adjourn to the Tarentum NJ. E. |
)hurch where the meetings continued until /
ate in the fall. OF that first campmeeting |
nd those of '52, '53 and "a much was told at |
he meeting yesterday by John G. Matthews |
In 1856, during the campmeeting, Judge |
l. NJ Breckenridge, the eminent author,
Who lived near the grounds, proposed that !,
he grove be sold TO the organization and his