Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-12-16
COLORED CAMPMEETINGS.
Rules Rrvised nv Presiding Elders of Dele
ware, Ninryland md Pennsylvania.

Rules Revised nv Presiding Elders of Della
ware, MARYLAND aud Pennsylvania.
Leaders in thu 4, VI j.. and NJ. f.,
Churches in Delaware, Maryland and
Pennsylvania have taken decided
stand against tho method sometimes
followed by cnlored people in holding
camrmrrtings.
a meeting fnr the specific purpose OF
discussing and taking action on tho
matter was held at WbRtcngt NJ, n,
Church, 10 Dover, last Wedncsday, the
following ministers being present: Thu
Rev. T.. i. Parker. presiding elder of
the Delaware Conferences of the NJ. II.
Church: the Rev. ". II. Davis, nfe-
siding older of the Philadelphia Con-
ference nr tho a, NJ. II. Church: the
Kew. j. II. Scott. presiding elder OF me
Delaware Conference of the M ~
Church the Kew. D., u Sampsoni ~
d., presiding elder OF the y. M, j..
Church; the Rev. j. Il. Waters, pre-
siding elder OF tho Delaware Conference
OF the NJ. h. Church; the heV. John
Buckner OF the \. NJ. II. Cnrrch; the
Kew. J.. T.. Brock, the Rev. a. II.
Shncliley, tho kev. Charles Browne
and the Rev. u. Z. +. Parker, all OF
whom are presiding elders
Several presiding elders who ware
unable to attend the meating sent let;
tiers OF regret in which each announced
thut he was in accord with the move
ment.
Presiding Elder j. H. Waters OF !his
city was elecied permanent chairman
and thu Rev. ID. G. Il. Parker secretary,
After organization Mr.. Watnrs stated
that the object OF the meeting wis to
raiurm modern campmeetings such as
are hold by colored people. The matter
was discussed at length al the morning
session. and al thu afternoon session
| the following report of the committee
on resolutions, tho Rev. j. p. Samp.
son, p. D., tho Rev. j. II. Scott and
the Rev. W. II. Davis, was adopted:
.'Campmeetinps, as held among
coored penple ID the STATES Of Mary
land. Delaware and Pennsylyania, with
A few executions are disgrace to tho
| Cbristjan church. The Lords uay at
| these gatherings is desecratod hy huy
inc apIi selling unnecessarily things and
hy other conduct unbucomng re
Iiciuus mestine. The churches have
bean abarduned, the SUNDAY schools
neglected and the people taught to GO
froiIukine ON the Sabbath during the
summer season, Many of them, instead
of mspifestinc the spirit nj Christi.
anity, remipti stranger OF the hentheu
festivals. We count these meetings, az
now conducted ,nmorali2ing to nni
rare. As nrssidipr elders of the A. NJ.
b. and NJ, + churches We do earnestly
protest gpainst them and declare oui
DISCRIMINATION 10 use ali orr influenc,
and mower TO rid our peouIe of thest
evils. We cal! upon ali pastors Of GU
ucople to preach on Sabbath observance
and eygrt their influence to reform
these meetings. We appeal to the quar-
tarly conferences Of all our churches Il
helm in tho matter by regulating al
these meetincs 80 that they will not con
Ajct with Gods law. We rscomme M
that whero campmeetngs are held til,
followinn rules be observed
"Ruls /. The cnmpmeetins season
shall be- from the Inst Sunday 10 Jul,
TO the first Sunday in September o
each year, inclusive.
"Rule > NJ campmeetng shall con
tjpuy Longer than d period including
J two Sundays.
} "'Rule 4 The campmeetipg ground
: shall he enclosed.