Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-02-25
SITE FOR A BAPTIST cAMP-cRouND.
Revs. II. VI. Wharton and r. w. Ciaybrook
VIII Locate 1t In Lancaster.

IRVINGTON. VA. February H-(Spe-
cial)--rhe motto that 'com.etitior IS tne
life of trade" IL not restricted exclusively
TO mercantile transactions. 1t seems to
be equally applicable to matt ers eccles'as-
teal.
This remark was called forth by the
fact that we are to have 4 third camp
ground in the Northern ; Neck IN
daunted by the fact that there are al
ready two annual camp-meeunss III sue
cessful operation In this section, i|sF'
III. NJ. Wharton, the well-known evange-
list Of Baltimore. and Rev. f. w. cay
brook, one of the best financlers Ill the
Rappahannock Association. have inaugu-
rated a movement 70 establisn periha-
nent camp ground In Lancaster county.
The site selected Is one Of the most
beautiful points near the mouth or the
Rappahannock river. II 's lovely hard-
wood grove, Immediately on the river
about three quarters OF mile from
Weems'5 wharf and twice that distance
from Irvington. which has popul2tici Oh
500 souls, and the largest village IN the
five cour ties OF the Northern Neck OF
Virginia, The scenery Is grand. On one
side the noted Currotoman, and on uic
other the waters of the beautiful anu
picturesque Carter'5 creek few into the
waters of the RaFpatannock "hlie IN
front the blue waters OF that river. tecrn-
ing with its fish. oysters, ana craos, anu
bearing on lts bosom the commerce OF
n populous and prosperous country move
majestically on their way to join the
deeper waters of the Chesapeake.
KING CARTER ESTATE.
Nearby is the historic old ling Cater
estate. while few niles Sway Is old
Christ church. where wosshippei the
squatter king nearly two and half
centuries ago. In the intertS OF the Old
church rest the last remaina OF King
Carter and those of his five Syives.
The situation is that al tleit could he
desired for a camp-meetingt both as TO
the historic interest attached TO the Soc
ton and to the beautiful scenery which
II affords.
To many the word campmeetng Is
synonymous to "bush-meeting." and sug-
gests "a few scattered canvas tents, tenn
porarily pitched I'm some primitive grove.
II also carries with It the idea of few
hundred devout people worshiping under
bush arbor with no better prws than uns
hewn logs. IL brings TO mind the picture
OF nights spent i'm the forest orimeyal,
with its whispering pines an1 hemocks,"
with only the Pickering. ui ertain light
Of piles II light-woOd knot. which but
add To the weirdness OF the jcene by the
dense columns Of black sSoke which
curl up In many a groteso4e, fantastic
shape among the overhang&s branches.
But that Is not what camp-m feting means
I'm the Northern Neck of Eirginia. Il
speak from observation Of t'he two al
ready IN existence here)
#. BERNACLE AND homes.
Here It means hundreds OF comfortable
and tastily-decorated cottage arranged ir
pleasant avenues. Several thousand people
comfortably worshping In a large, modern
tabernacle; commodious and well-equpped
hotels for the comforts of guests, at which
all not tentng may be i0miciled;
grounds and tabernacle lighted with gas,
and all the comforts Of civilization. IL
means place Of summer resort, as well
as religious gathering. To- the people
flock here from all over the )untry, and
for the ten days OF the M, ting make
the old woods ring with mary laughter
and songs Of praise. and thal leave the
little towr' to its peaceful resse-to owl and
bat and the lone sentinel Lyho dwells
there and guards its empty fabitations--
until 3j5 days shall again soll around
and usher In the advent OF a4,ther festal
season.
The proposed camp. which has been
chri5tered Wharton Grove, AID which IL
under process OF construction will be
model of the new kird. The Jaan adopted
is as follows: A joint stock Company has
been formed. and Is known az the Whar-
ton-Grove Camp-Ground Company. All
the stock OF the company has beer sold.
The company proposes to erect the taber-
nacle. hotels. barber-shops. and horse-lots.
allowing persons desiring to build cottages
on the grounds that priviege by paying
an annual ground rental OF cents per
front foot for all located on tn tabernacle
park. or River Park. and Ii ce IS per front
foot on the cross avenues. I 9 company
will pay all expenses OF the ,.campment.
except the expenses OF preacSdng. which
will be paid for by public Scollections.
The grounds have been laid 4f. and the
lumber contracted for, and tie sound Of
the hammer will be heard hi the grove
as soon as the weather is fav,5able.
IN JULY.
The first meeting will beginsthe Friday
preceding the fifth Sunday ipS July next.
and will continue urtil the m tning after
the first Sunday in August. sDr. II. NJ
Wharton will be the leading .t,lrlt In the
conduction OF the meeting during this
period. He will be ably assisted by the
local ministry and Baptist diYines from
other parts Of the Union. Under such
auspices this will be undoubtedly one OF
of the most attractive and fruitful camps
In the South, while It's location Is one easy
OF access, and combines the pleasures of
the country with those of the seaside.
The revival Of camp-meetinSs Is a step
In the right direction. for wore not the
groves Gods first templesr The work
that the origirators OF w, .rton Grove
and its co-laborers are doing IS a work OF
love. The good seed that Evil be an
nually sown there Will take toot In many
a willing heart, and by and BY there will.
be a glorious harvest time. n the sewers
and the reapers will join In 3le glad har-
vest song. All good peop$ should bid
the work God speed"