New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-15
SOUTHERN CAMP MEETINGS.
GATHERINGS FOR SOCIAL AS WELL ~
RELIGIOUS PURPOSES.
THEY MOVE FROM TOWN TO TOWN FOLLOWED 81
JEALOUS BELIEVERS SCENES or RE
LtGIoUs ECsTAsY.

MOVE FROM TOWN IL IpWN rOAD'" Hp ~
JEALOUS BELIEVERS scENEs or RE
LpIloUs EcsrAsY.
The camp-meetngs OF the South are distinctive
unique feature religious service-a time set apaH
for spiritual Teasing invariably attended by DIVINE
visitation followed by dow rpourtng OF holiness
sort Of pIracaton and instantaneous release rom
sin and deshly desires which in the twinkling OF an
eve make the vilest wretch pure as an unborn
babe from which state OF blissful innocence. they
argue It Il impossible TO fall
These meetings may be compared with the
yearly gatherings OF the same name at ocean Grove
or various points on Long Island. the latter being
svowedlv evangelical undertakings Substantially the
same In workings and results as the open-air meet
ings In England and the Northern states. whue
the Southern meeting Is an annual pilgrimage OF
devo,ees beginning the last week in August and
ending in October. Il is movable camp, giving op-
portunity alike wealthy and INDECENT certain al
some time during sessions 10 pitch tents within
accessible distance Of those unable TO travel rar,
though often followed from field to field by the more
jealous believers To the poorer class OF Southern
ers mountaneers especially this religious gathering
is the one great Of the year contamination
Of social pleasures well as great dspensary OF
free passes heavenward
Months before the appointed time all the members
OF well-oriered family busy themselves In prep
Observation-Disclosures or modest, according TO tnef
state OF prosperity The family wardrobe is repen-
ness TO the pubic gaze. Marrageabe daughters have
an outlay OF dresses and personal effects conforms
bic TO the family means; oftentmes TO the deple-
ton OF younger members Of the same household
for upon their success al camp-meetng Mango
mighty issues L is season from which merry
maidens return triumphant over successful matri-
monial scheming Accordingly. young men assume
festive air sport their finest teams and let their
financial status be made known. usually striving IN
delicate and divers ways TO make favorable impress
sion upon the unknown fair Between devotional
acts the lover the girl OF his choice and II
must not be imagined that mere personal charm
or filthy lucre" wins his Usually the man
so constituted educated 10 take active part In
the religious services and allow his emotion unre-
strained expression stands ten chances 20 one OF
winning the fair inamorata. FOR here mans re-
ligious sentiments or rather his expression Of such
sentiments determine. a great measure, his ster-
ling worth
CAMP-MEETGNG COURTsHIPs
II may be said with perfect truth that 80 per cent
OF the marriages here are the direct outcome OF
camp-meetng c0urtships 4 week or so before the
meeting opens tent-holiers clear away the accumu-
lations Of rubbish due TO storms. camp-fres, the
snakes lizards ana other troub esone invaders. and
the usual pilgrimage begins II is oftentimes bese;
with and difficulty. over rough mountain roads.
through pouring rain If the season happens 10 fall
wet. "a often the case through the northern
border Of the cotton belt. As the home cabins are
.eled or lurlsllSs tit tents Nr-lA To dHSNH'
cheerful appearance. familiar sounds Of animal life
mngle with the laughter ari cries OF children.
Gradually congregation assemblies from the four
corners OF the vicinity; tent-noiiers exchange
friendly calls with relatives or friends Of distant
relatives gathering news from absent ones. As in
the old days OF coaches when letters were ex
pensive to send. people crowd about the doors OF
the fortunate one whose business has led him over
the borders of his native State Tentholders invite
strangers and wayfarers with cheerful hospitality
share the abundance OF good things Providence
has bestowed FOR the special occasion. The fa;ted
calf is killed: fine raiment is donned and the
gold ring put on: but al Of these luxuries
pressed upon the stranger II necessity demands.
Five times day the whole assembly is required
10 meet under the 'arbor" and paT,ake OF spiritual
food As the meeting advances the spiritual hunger
OF the flock becomes insatiao.e; tn shepherd urges
them with prayers and tears 70 make continual and
r eee the sea of Of GODS dopon The carsan
is urged also TO make repeated puf confession OF
is worked to a sort Of religious frenzy. incredible
enlightened nineteenth century public-a state OF
fanatcal motion. ascfiDed 70 heather IDOL worship
pers only
NO CHANGE IN TWENTY YEARS
Twenty years ago the writer attended for the first
time Methods; camp-meeting at the foot OF the
Blue Ridge In Georgia. X Was d novel experience.
like being suddenly transported 10 a strange pagan
world: ten years after the same scene visited
and found unchanged. and gain last year the
vices repeated with no variation. vast congre-
cation swayed by the passing emotions OF the
mountain prophet. whose fervert speech not
conformabe 10 the demands OF at;er-day city
congregation but fired by revival instincts. warned
the multitude Of a terrible overhanging doom
IL was a beautiful Indian summer day The yell
low sunlight twinked through the RESTLESS. culver
| ing branches overhead; the air was fraught with
the indescrlbable sweetness OF the cary
OF r.penng grain and fine. musky odors OF purpllng
grapes-the thrilling song calls OF nnumerabie birds
broken only by the prophets Wild. shrll call 10
Dentance and from The OF
Ing God His voice rose and fell In the momentary
hush preceding the visitation but suddenly out
the wall OF a doomed soul. and. the silence once
broken. cries and prayers ran from Up Up. shouts
OF thanksgiving mingled with triumphant cries OF
glory and groans OF dying sinners struggling
for victory over sin and death.
Some began 70 s.ng-a melancholy. weird
chant set To modern religious poetry OF the most
panlment the cries and prayers increased until
many fell PROSTATE In the dust lainting with ex-
hausion. Others hocked forward. past the fallen
friends beseechng the mercy OF Goa. Newly made
converts began 10 work their way through the
crowded asles exhortng sinners to present them
se,ves AZ the altar Tor prayer making personal
ungodly with and hysterical laughter TO turn
| TO God before He thrusts them forever into he'll
The Moslem pilgrims az Mecca not more zeal
| Gus To kiss the famous black stone OF the Kaaha
than these Christian devotees are 20 wake a re-
| lgious frenzy In their midst 10 the glory OF God
For years the writer's work has brought him rom
time to time IN daily contact with The natives OF
| the long mountainous stretch embracing the South
States and IL may be said without compunctIon
| thai in business dealings and general conduct OF
lfe these people are in no way benefited for their
season OF prayer and public confession OF sanct,a-
cation; no more so than the pagan who kisses the
idol OF stone and goes ON his way rejocing-but an.
Ring.