The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-12
THE FIRST CAMP MEETING.
Great Revival Wave swept Over Kentucky
10 Years Ago-Soldier preachers,

NhNlOH uUu tlll6 Vi nOlulnG tnc HTbt CduI mNtt-
ing. and in this connection concerning the
great religious revival that swept over the in
habited portion OF the Mississippi Valley at the
dawn OF the present century, and which result
ed In great measure in tho realiRnment OF
religious forces and In the organization OF the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. and In the
formation OF Shaker settlements in Kentucky.
As Is we'll known this great revival followed
wave OF skepticism that appeared In this
country as kind OF reflex Of French ntldolity
during the French revolution
1nhdelity gained a strong foothold in some
leading educational institutions. and especially
In Kentucky. where the gifted but skoptical DR..
Holley. OF Pennsylvania University. was fol-
lowed In his skeptical opinions OF a host OF
bright young men who were sent to school at
that famous university. and who became the
leaders in the western half o: the American
continent
When the religious awakening came 1t came
with the force and violence necessary TO break
down the opposing bulwarks. Then 1t was
that the doctrine OF n spiritual and personal
knowledge OF redemption was preached and
accepted: when places OF worship resounded
with shoutiugs and other manifestations:
when men barkcd like dogs. and fell in frances:
when women had the Jerks" their hair falling
from the coils at the back OF their heads and
popping like whip cords All these facts are
But discussion has arisen as to how and when
the first camp-meeting was held. when men
came from far and near through the wilderness
to hear the preaching OF famous ministers OF
the Gospel
1t il generally conceded that the first camp
meeting was held in Logan County. Ky. about
fifty miles north OF Nashville. but there has
been some question as to when and where.
The following account Of the first camp
meeting" was published nearly hity years ag9
Legends OF, the War OF Indcrendrncc," and
written by n laywerot Russcye. Ky; Thomas
section who remember Mr.. Smith his account
i generally accepted as authentic. 1t is as
The year 17nn is distinguished for the COM
menGSrment 81 the great revival Of religion IN
ings in the United states
ii. This revival commenced under the united united
Mctihce. the former a Mcthodist local preacher.
and the latter ordaineda Presbyterian minister.
the CHn
| Ana when the days came. the ensuing
SH5dSy and su%day for hS sN S
east Of tusseilyille. Ky. the gathering Of the
people from distant parts Of the two states
| red milcs-was astonishing; some in tended
wagons. some in open wagons some in carts.
| some on horses and many on foot.
fore preaching time. could not sent, the third
came-hy dozens. ilties and hundreds, A
| temporary pulpit. therefore. was quickly
ofthick and broad spreading trees, seats were
| mad" OF large timber teil"d and laid upon the
selves and the worship commenced. Soon the
HresenGe OF the, 2iI-rervGding power Of the
strcwed the ground. Many of the former were
members OF I'll" Churches and had been for
been Tor years preachers Of the gospel. but
now. for the first time. convinced Thoroughly Of
| ing grace OF God applied to th"ir own hearts.
one OF these. in a Conversation with the
| and respected Samuel Wilson. who lived on the
| very ground. we may say, W" are now desrrib-
age. and where, now his y.ncrnted ashes lie
Inferred said: Up 10 the time OF that meeting.
r4m y2%nE man belonged t, %o I'll" rryTH
persnaIei mysSlf had reltx i',n' hoped and
foundation. md never never until hat blessed meet,
My preacher also he said. fey. James
| crying for mercy. and never before, az he often
told me- afterwards: felt a scriptnral assurance
pend, my friend continued this sweet hearted
| hut most senSit lie and useful Christian was
tho case VIII, almost all Of US prcsbyt"ripns
time Medid no, know what it was to have
GODS spirit bear testimony with our spirits.
| Thus spoke thu: truly Christian man. and it
gives us r!"aTur" here to record in honor of
all tn" relativ" duties Of husband. father
Office. he died beloved and mos exemplary
memOer OF Presbyterian Church, having
| lived as such more than fOrty-iivr years.
| proceedings Of the meeting at Muddy River.
in the grove was literally strrw"d with the
| slain OF Gods cnGri"ting ppw"r and Ne fur
ihSr remark that the nnmnrr Of th"sr was con-
| OF mind. some Of those who lived nearest tn"
place saw, night approaching, Will the meet
ing grew hourly more solemn and interesting.
| the seekers OF salvation every moment increas-
ng,.and began to think how these mighty
| multitudeS. from 80 great detanc" from their
| homes after night, Were To ni shelter and To
he ted. 1t was believed 10y them all the dwell
ings for ten miles around. put in, reuuisiton.
would not give them shelter. What was to be
Eight or ton OF u.s. said the venerable Mr..
difficulties a. the same time. We hurried 10
About it, One nropSsed t one thns sn% anohsr
Fr sS ope P&9sd .hat bon nHI ny
ground. hasten to our trading wards ana barns,
and bring all tn. straw we had to sIread he
wagon sheets. and others cuttinG forks and
poles on which I" SPREAD the sane. together
| secured together lengthwiIc to make tents or
camps. whir others shoul be- despatched To
| the bacon. flour and meal and cooking utensils
necessary to prepare the provisions for the
| multtudes.
| I'm n few hours II was Il sight to see how
| much was gathered together in preparatio
for our "ncampment and food for the hungry
| soon we strewcd Il haf-acre at least with th,
| straw. pushed NJ large tent spreading over
the pulpit and for distance in front and then
ten or twclv" smaller ones in order ranging
round the ground when the straw and people
were spread. standing and sitting Fires were
built cooking begun. and by dark candles
were lighted and fixed on hundred trees
around and int"rspcrsiuE tho ground sur
rounded by the tents, showing forth the first.
and hcli"v" still. on" OF the most beautiful
caml-mectings the world has ever seen
1T he meeting progressed and continued for
| four days. night and da-. Several hundred pr0-
fessGd ronycTston. many 6acksIIders. Joyfuly
| proclaimed their restoration TO the favor and
blessings OF their heavenly Father. and still n
greater numhcr. when the meeting closed
went forth vet mourning and inTuring Saw
ye the Lord, whom my soul de-ire;h TO love,
| etc"
He Didn't Bite.
| From ne ~, r'ldnd Plain IsuIsr