The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-08-27
FINE DAY BRINGS A CROWD
THOUSANDS PRESENT YESTERDAY ATPLAINVILLE CAMP MEETING.

Epworth New Haven Church Cottage
 Dedicated-spirit of Earuestness Per
 vades the Gathering-The Interest Is
 Greater Than Ever-The Programme for
 To-day-More Regular Campers.
 After three days of forbidding wealth. CT the Methodsts and their friends at the Plainville camp meeting were fa- vored with the most genial of sunshine yesterday. It was as if the beautiful weather had been reserved for the big day, and a great number took advan- tage of 1t and came early. Hundreds arrived on every morning train and swelled the number at the encampment to several thousands before noon. But not all were transient. On the con- trary there has probably never been more regular attendants at the camp. That might not at first appear so as the crowding, that in former years was feature by the middle of the week, has thus far not become apparent for the reason perhaps that several new church houses have just been complet- ed that accommodate large additional number.
 Not an unpleasant incident nor any serious accident has thus far marred the happiness of the gathering. To old campers who have made regular an- nual pilgrimages to Plainville for a number of years the progression and development of the camp is very mark ed. Not only is that true of the ma terial changes and advances that year by year attest the wisdom of the board of trustees, but the general tone and character of camp meeting attendants have changed for the better. Of course il is to be understood that this applies to the transients who always attend large gatherings. One old camper said yesterday that ten years ago or even less 1t was not an unusual occurrence for horse trading to be carried on near the camp by men who did not come for the sake of the meetings, but merely to lounge about idly. Frivolity and plenty of foolishness" used to trouble the brethren during meetings often times. Now, on the contrary, our in- dormant remarked, a spirit of earnest ness unprecedented marked the people in the main.
 About noon yesterday the people from all the countryside began to come in. They came in all sorts of vehicles in all degrees of style. There were the old fashioned carryall, the blackboard, the stage, the buggy and improvised family carriages, and many young folk came on bicycles. By ? o'clock the grove south of the camp entrance had ,a team hitched at almost every tree Long lines of people streamed into the gate afoot all through the afternoon. others came trundling baby carriages and carrying lunches for themselves and their children. As early as half an hour before the afternoon meeting be- gan in the assembly hall nearly every chair was taken, and it was made an occasion for song service. A volun- teer choir went up on the platform to lead the singing, but for that sort of thing there was really no need, as everybody knows how to sing and sings heartily at Methodist meeting. By the way, a determined effort is being made by Presiding Elder North to in troduce the new hymnal into Method ist homes and hundreds of copies have been sold at nominal cost during the week.
 Yesterday morning Rev. w. H. Burg win of West Suffield conducted the Bible hour service. The morning ser mon was to have been delivered by Rev. w. A. Richard of Hartford. MT. Richard, however, had been unwell for several days and was not strong enough, when the hour came for him to speak, to conduct the service. MT. s. H. Hadley, superintendent of the Water street mission, New York, was therefore called upon for an extempo- raneous talk, which was, as usual, lis- tened to closely.
 At the afternoon meeting Rev. O. J. Cowles, D. D., of Derby, delivered the sermon. Just before the sermon Elder North was handed a number of new wicker-work collection baskets-the gift of brother in attendance. The donor had evidently been distressed by the variety of hats that had been pass ed around in the morning. The bas- kets were at once dedicated, and the donor given one to start down the cen ter aisle to have it filled. And speaking of the morning collection brings to mind the money that was raised then by the presiding elder. He announced that about S200 was needed to meet running expenses. One brother whose name was withheld had offered Elder North s5 If he would match it with a like gift. This announcement and the call for similar voluntary subscriptions elicited eight or nine s10 gifts and as many or more flves together with a goodly number of smaller donations Friends rose from seats in all sections of the assembly until nearly the re- quired amount was raised
 One of the most interesting events of the day was the dedication of the church house of the Epworth society of New Haven. Quite a gathering at tended the exercises, filling the large house assembly room, the piazza and stairs and standing way out around the house. Many of them were old mem bers of long connection with the church, others were prominent clergy men present at the encampment, most of whom spoke briefly on the occasion. As the pastor of Epworth church, Rev, MT. ripple, was absent. being i'll at a resort in Pennsylvania, Brother w. H, Wakeman conducted the exercises, MT. Wakeman is in charge of the grounds and his cottage on Hartford avenue is the headquarters for the encampment He gave & brief historical sketch of the movement which eliminated in the building of the church cottage. Rev