Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-08-16
4 BIG CAMP-MEETING.
rug LARGEST METHODIST ATTEND
ANce HELD IN AccoMAc.
FIXED institutions on the Eastorn snore-
HIstory and Description Of the
Grounds.

,corrcspondence Of the Richmond Disps'cn'i
Ox1xcocx. August 1.-the Southern
se.hod,st camr-rneetine. which has been
going on for the past week, will probably
close to-day. In spite OF the intensely
hot weather that prevailed during the
most of the time that the meeting mas
hssr in prorrcss, the attendance has been
very large and tho results OF the meeting
highly gratifying to those who have had
Il IN charge. Following are the names 0,
the ministers who have been present ana N.
assisted in the meeting: Rev. ~. w; ".
uanE presiding elder Of the Eastern
cborc district: Rev. Robert A. Compton,
81 Norfolk: Rev. William II. Christian:
of Uempton: Rev. j. w. s. Robins, OF
Sauthampton: Rev. @. ID. Crawley, OF
Isle of Wight: Rev. John I. Moore. OF
hccomac Courthouse: Rev. Albert g.
perrymar. of Onancock; Rev. w. j. Twill
lev. of Belle Haven; Rev. Joseph il.
Sfurcis. of Wschapreague, and Rev.
James M. Anderson. of Pungoteague. =,
The crowd present YESTERDAY was the
largest during the entire meeting, being
yariously estimated at from 1850 to 1900
souls.
FIXED INSTITUTIONS.
The camp-meetings have become fixed
institution on the Eastern Shore and must
be seen to be appreciated. Two are held
every summer in Accomac--one by the
Southern Methodists and the other bv the
Northern Methodists. who have managed
to keep their foothold here since the di-
vision of 18iS.
The Southern Methodist camp-grounds
are located near the seaside. about seven
miles southeast of Opanccck. The loca-
ton is a very pretty and suitable ono, being
on an emlnence in the midst OF pictu-
rescue grove of spreading oaks and stately
pines.
SKETCH OF TIE CAMP.
This camp-meeting was inaugurated in
1872. when Rev. Oscar Littleton, now pre-
siding elder Of the Charlottesville district.
was pastor OF the Lower Accomac circuit.
SO rapid has been the growth of Southern
Methodism on the eastern shore of Viz
| ginia in these nineteon years that there
are now four circuits, and part OF another,
whore there was only one when he Rev.
Mr.. Jittleton resolved to establish on
annual camp-meeting in burlington
woods. At first the meetings were held
under an arbor covered with green bushes.
Then tabernacle was built. with open
sides, and covered with undresse1 boards.
During the past two months the
| tabernacle has been rebuilt on
an enlarged and greatly improved plan.
1t is now eighty feet long and sixty feet
wide, furnished with nice. comfortable
seats. and covered with the best heart
shingles. It Is estimated that from 1,2o,
| TO ! 800 people can be comfortably seated
| in this tabernacle. The repairs and i'm,
proyements were made under the skilfu
| direction of Levin j. Hyslup. ESQ.,, one OF
| the leading spirits in these annual camp
meetings Surrounding the tabernacle is g
double row Of rude plank cottages. or tents
| as they are called here. about fifty IN nun.
Der, oil two stories high. These are owned
| By private individuals, who live IN them
| during the meetings and entertain Their
visiting friends with open-handed anc
generous hospitality.
METHODIST HOSPITALITY
The DISPATCH correspondent. who. by
the way, IL not Methodist, speak
from experience when he says tina
nowhere on earth can one find more
bountiful or generous hospitality thar
that dispensed by these Eastern Shor'
Southern Methodists at their annual en-
campments. Such dinners and suppers ar
fit fcasts for kings. The rude-looking cot
tages are many OF them nicely and com
fortably furnished inside. presenting quit
a contrast TO the unpretending exterior
The upper stories are used for sleepin!
apartments. and the cottages are 80 clos
TO the tabernacle that persons can. sit II
them and hear the preaching and take par
in the singing.
BOARDING TENTS.
There are also several large boarding
tents, where visitors can live comfortabl.
and fare sumptuously during the meet
ings.
The water at the camp-grounds. o
which there is an abundant supply, IL tn
hest I have yet found on tho Easter
Shore. There Is one pump there which /
said to be capable OF furnishing six time
"a much water as is needed for oil pur
poses at the camp.
SERVICES.
The order OF services observed every da
is as followa: A. NJ, morning prayer;
A. NJ, love feast; II A. NJ, preaching fol
lowed by prayer-meeting 2. NJ, tw
hours recess for dinner; 3P. NJ, preach
ing followed by prayer-meeting; 5 p. Nj.
recess for supper; p. NJ, preaching fol
lowed by prayer meeting, which IS fire
quently prolonged till IL o'clock at night
These services, which are conducted &C
cording TO the apostolic injunction to d
ell things decently and in order, are yer
} impressive. Here one sees vast host c
devout worehlppers assembled somewha
after the fashion of the great pentecostc
gatherings in the early days of Christianity
The earnest and feryid exhortations OF tn
preachers, the triumphant songs Of the peo
Pile. and the terrible esrnestnesss Of thos
who offer up their prayers for the redemr
ton of sinners cannot fail to impress eve
tho most callous and sceptical with ttb
thought that these people are sincere an
! that religion has q powerful hold on thei
natures and exercises tremendous intiu
ence in shaping their characters.
IMPRESSIVE SPECTACLE.
Rarely is such a spectacle presen
ed as that which was seen on th
camp-ground yesterday, when the Rev. 4,
! D. Hank, the presiding elder of this dii
2 trict. called on all Christians to rise up i
testimony of their faith in their religion
As one looked over the vast host it SCENE
that almost every. person present wa
/, standing. Surely this must be Christia
!, land, or else all the sinners must have r.
manned at home yesterday. AT night tn
, tabernacle and cottages are lighted wit
improved lamps and the surroundin
woods are hung with swinging Lantern
that make the scene look like fairylan,
On the whole the meeting has been
very pleasant and successful one in ever
respect. There have been about fort
= conversions and tho ministers think thl
! the revival spirit is awakened in Il
churches of the surrounding district
/, Su,a;ca IL M eav that ALI who attended, III