Arizona republican., 1895-08-16
OPENING DAY. The First Day of the
 Campmeeting. Large Crowd of Wor- shiperS on the Ground. Brief History of the Origination
 of the Custom.
Possible Has Been Ar ranged for the Comfort of the
 Campers and Visitors.

Last night the park was full of visi- tors owing to the opening of the annual campmeeting of the M. E. church south. The grounds were gaily be- spangled with electric lights, the pavilion decorated with palms while on every hand smiling. happy faces were seen. The audience was was attentive and heartily joined in singing the old familiar songs of other days. Each and every one seemed to enjoy the out ing. and the services which were inter- esting and instructive. Earnest prayers were offered and and an able address was delivered by the Rev. Hedgepeth.
 It is believed that the meeting will last several weeks which will be largely attended owing to the convenience and pleasant grounds selected for the en. campment.
 As early as yesterday morning by o'clock the good people who have for years stood by this time honored cus- tom of Methodism were on the ground preparing to camp and serve the Mas ter.
 The first Methodist campmeeting ever held was in Georgia away back in 1910 under the personal supervision of their leader, Wesley. It was first in- stituted owing to the scattering popu- lation of Methodists In that country and the few churches were so far apart they organized a 'camp" or "grove meeting." to be held annually for series of weeks. Families would travel hundreds of miles oyer the trackless forests to meet with tfeir like in faith and order to serve God according to the dictates of thelr hearts. The Methodist church was first organized in 1739 in England and afterward in America in the spring of 1908.
 The southern Methodists have long since been distinct people from the northern branch owing to the slavery question. This question first arose by Bishop Andrews marrying slave owner and refusing to relinquish his claim thereby on slavery. The separa- tion of the one great body was in 1844 and since then no effort has been made to unite them, owing to the im- mense growth of the two bodies, it being matter of i'm possibility to con- trol them under one head. Many visiting ministers az we'll as four local pastors will preside. There will be ''sunup" morning prayer, g 8. m. prayer and praise meeting, II 8. m. regular services, and "sundown" grove meeting. This meeting will consist in uniting of the whole church at sundown and @ sepa- ration of the men and women, each holding a separate prayer service for the good and advancement of the meet Ing, etc.
 On Sunday the same program as on week days, including 8 3 o'clock ger 1 vice.
 1 B. N. Pratt has shown most gener- ous hand in arranging for the meeting having had large scaffolding built 25O with alfalfa for tents to be placed under. He also furnished electric lights, water and horse feed, besides throwing open the park gates with hearty welcome to all. The pavilion will accommodate about 1000 people while the green sward on either side will afford deli cions lounging places for those who come at the last hour.
 Lemonade, ice cream and soda water will be furnished by the ever accommo- dating N. Sweet Hadley. He will also deal out water melons by the whole, half, or slice.
 Swings are at the service of the little folks while the baths will afford ablu tion to the staid and weary as well as the youth and maiden.
 l If makas ones mouth water (especially a newspaper man) when be smells the good old coffee of colonial days and the ladies, God bless them, never fail to make one well come.
 The following gentlemen with their families are at present camping, and with many to follow in a day or so Wm. Osborn, J. A. R. Irvine, Mrs. Alsop, Rev. W. A. Harris, Rev. Vaughan, J. w. Osborne, Rev. W. L. Albright, John Wright and Mrs. Alice Carpenter.
 The little folks are having a galla time at the park.
 The gentlemen put on cook aprons and readily respond to the exigencies- such as cooking or eating.
 The ladies have knack at making camp life thing of beauty and joy tor ever.
 J. 4. R. Irvine has, no doubt, camped out before from the way he handled l beds, cots, children, etc. He remarked