Evening star., 1896-08-26
LIKE OLD TIMES.
The COlOred Camp Meeting Near
Washington Grove.

The COlOred Camp Meeting Near
Washington Grove.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
WASHINGTON GROVE, August 25, 1896
There is an old-fashioned colored camp
meeting going on near Washington Grove
and Is largely attended on Sunday as well
as week days. 1t reminds one of the prim-
itive days of Washington Grove, when the
inhabitants of this "churchy'' village lived
ir tents and worshiped beneath fly canvas
with straw floor The place of meeting is
a very rough as well as impromptu affair.
1t consists of several seats, without backs,
in the open air, while the pulpit, which is
made Of rough lumber, contains Rev.
Uncle JEFF" who expounds the word and
advises his hearers to put on the breast
plate and go to war" The worshipers are
summoned to the services with old
fashioned tin horn, whose blasts reverber-
ate through the grove five times day.
The sojourners live in canvas homes, which
sufficient to protect them from the
heat, with abundant provision for keeping
them warm and dry when the weather is
cold and rainy. The furnishings are neat
and comfortable, but of the simplest char
acter.
The first room. which is the living room
is furnished with bed room furniture ani
a comfortable couch. heaped with pillows
and coverings as dainty as you choose to
make them. There are muslin draDeries
and rattan rockers, and these, together
with an occasional piano lamp, make up
an ornamental as well as attractive room
The dining room and kitchen are one, and
judging from the odor of potato pie and
boiled ham, the tenters do not have an op-
portunity to get hungry.
A new booth has been erected near the
entrance for the sale of such things as are
needed by the housekeepers. Shelters for
the horses of those who drive to the
grounds and wish to spend the night have
been erected. and the horse pond surround
deal to make life in the woods pleasant
and comfortable. When it rains the water
drains off from every side and there Is no
mud.
While the meetings are going a good
old Maryland sister in an outside tent does
q fiourishing business by disposing Of fried
chicken and hoe cake, which Is paid for ac-
cording to the amount consumed. The
brethren. who possess vein of unselfish-
ness and large amount of respect for the
places. stand up while they eat and discuss
plantation days and 1.-The way We used to
serve the Lord
Two brethren are in charge of the en-
trance to the camp and charge each adult
a nickel, while children are allowed to go
in free. The money is used to defray the
expenses of the camp meeting well as
ing on Tuesday, which was county day."
consisted of an experience meeting, when
every one was given an opportunity to tell
each other of their struggles and triumphs
III Holy "dTidTe, ana OF the golden Slip
pers and crown of light" they expect to
wear One aged brother announced he had
come hundred miles to attend the camp
meeting and shouted until he became ex-
hausted and was Frustrated for while
Judging from the 'hallelujahs' and long
"amens." the brethren and sisters had a
thoroughly good time. and as each one re-
lated his experience he was followed by a
verse of some familiar hymn, such as "The
Old-time Religion Is Good Enough for Me-"
The Old Ship of Zion and Hold On.
Brother. and Fight the Good Fight
The three brethren who acted as choris-
ter. organist and cornetist rendered sew
eral solos. after which they invited every
one to zine in the chorus" In the even
ing there was a sermon. followed by ex-
horting and shouting and a goodly collec-
uon. There was so much enthusiasm the
meeting was continued until nearly mid
night. The camp services will continue for
five days longer. during which time the
brethren and sisters will be allowed many
religious privileges they do not enjoy in
the churches.