Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-09-13
r1Rsr cAMPMEETINe.
1t Was the Result Of n Great Religion
Wave in the South.

1t Was the Result Of d Great Religious
Wave in the South.
1t is lust 100 years since the first
can,nmeetiug originated. 1t was the
result of the most phenomenal wave Of
religious enthusiasm which ever swept
over America. It began in Kentucky
and Tennessee, and the phenomenon,
which was known as the Jerks, !"
seems to have been fully authenticated.
No building then erected could accom-
MEDIATE the crowds that concentrated
from all parts Of the adjacent country.
This necessita the campmeeting.
In 1893, says Nashville cores
rondent OF the Chicago Record, sac.
rainenral meeting was held in the old
Red River Baptist Church, near Port
Royal Elders, Hodge, Rankin, Nc.
Gready and John McGee were present.
After fervent address by Elder
Hodge, the emotions OF thelyast crowd
became uncomfortable.
Two aged ladies', Mrs. Paosly and
Mrs. Clark, commenced emendously
yooiferating sentiments Of praise. Des-
pite the attempt OF the preacher to
continue singing, the. shouting in
creased. The minister, descending from
the pulpit, passed along the aisles
vehemently exhorting. The .ciamor aud
confusion Increased tenfold ;scresms for
mercy were mingled with shouts of joy
universal agitation peryadod the mul.
titude. Suddenly individualssbegau to
fall PROSTATE to tho floor as If dend,
where they lay for some time uncon'
scious and unable to rise.
The elders were so surprised and
astonished that they retired for con
ference. They concluded that nothing
could be done, arguing that il il
we're the work Of tho devil it could no
last, aud il of God, any effort to con
troll it would be in vain. They re
entered the house. and found nearl.
the entire congregation on the hoor
Two or three at time began to rise
shouting praise for the evidence of sin
forgiven. The excitement was so in
tense that the, preachers could no
attend the demands upon them. Hun
dreds professed to have been converte'
3 that day. This was the beginning o
: the religious movement which, o
account Of the strange bodily exerois
0 and agitations attending upon it, wa
looked upon az the most wonderft
event of the times.
The next meeting was held at Mudd
| hlV6r O0uICn, low uiiios uoiph
e Russellville, KY, where similar seen.
:. were witnessed. The people came
= all kinds OF vehicles, from distances I
! far as 100 miles. Long before the hot
i of preaching there were present thr'
|. times as many as the touse could sea
is and q constant stream of people kel
Ie pouring in. A temporary pulpit vi
" erected in the woods, and seats fl
g the multitude we're made by fellir
is large trees. (. As night came on 1t W
10 evident the crowd did not intend
u dispense. Some took wagons and hu
81 ried to bring in straw from the barn
is Some fell to sewing the wagon shee
]. together, and others to. cutting for
: and poles GU which 10 spread ther
t. Counterpanes, coverleis and sheets We
', also fastened together to make tents al
ID camps. Others were dispatched to tov
ut and the nearest houses to collect Pr
in visions and cooking utensils to prepa
III food for the multitude. In q few hou
night came on, fires were made, al
hundreds of candles were lighted al
70 fixed to trees. This was the first car
meeting in the world. "