The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-11
PLANS ron CHRISTIAN RETREAT.
Rev. 4. j. smith Explains the Mon
treat Association.


A number Of Savannahians are inter
ested in the Montreal association, Of
which Mr.. Weston r. Gales, the evangel-
isl, who held series Of meetings in Sa-
vannah some time ago. is manager, and in
which Rev. Arthur J. Smith OF the First
Presbyterian Church has taken an active
part. The community is an interesting
one. 1t IS not in any sense. says Rev. Air
Smith a money making institution, but is
purely a mutual association of Christian
people, who want a place to gather in
the summer season for rest and Bible
study. Meetings wilq be held there this
summer, something on the camp meeting
order, though not distinctly Methodist, as
The association IS interdenominationaL
A drive of twenty minutes from Black
Mountain station on the Southern Raj
road, in North Carolina, brings one TO the
entrance of the grounds of the Mountain
Retreat Associa ton" About Two years
ago, under special charter granted them
by the North Carolina Legislature, the
association, composed of ministers and
business men from different sections of
the country, began TO develop and open
up the tract of land owned by them, about
a mile and a half north of the station.
This tract lies in the very heart OF the
Blue Ridge mountains, at an altitude Of
some 800 feet and on both sides of the
south fork of the Swannanoa river.
beautiful stream, which comes leaping,
laughing, das1ing down the side of old
Gray Beard" mountain, and traverses
the entire length of the property.
Rev. john c. Collins, the present sec
rotary, and at that time acting for the
association In the choice of a location,
showed rare judgment in the selection of
a site for its community and future work
when he decided upon this place, for not
only does this little mountain river beau
tify, and guarantee an abundance Of pur-
est water, but the mountains tower insall
their gradeur about the village that is
growing up there, and within easy walk
ing or riding distance These are sum-
mits from which views OF SURPRISING
beauty may be obtained,
So far about thirty cottages have been
erected. There is a postoffice, store and
banking facilities al the latter place,
while country produce is received from
the surrounding neighborhood. Sunday
and Wednesday religious services are
held; there is Sunday school and day
school on the grounds, and some Of the
resident ladies have a Sunday school out
some litt1e distance, and preaching points
in the section have been supplied IRE
quently.
The purpose of the association is to
make Montreal a center from which mis-
sionary and educational effort shall ex-
tend reaching and helping the people
throughout the vast mountain region; ana
in addition to this "all-the-year-round'
work. hold annual conferences during the
summer months that shall partake of the
character of those held at Mortified and
other places of spiritual influence and
power
Mr. John S, Huyler, of New York. is
president of the association, and identi-
fed with him as executive committee are
Mcssrs. Robert NJ. Garrett, j. H. Tucker
and j. A. Porter, Of AsheWlle. Mr.. Wes-
ton r. Gales, who now makes his home
at Montreal is manager. having charge
Of the religious, educational and local at
fairs, W thout abandoning altogether his
evangelistic work, Since assuming charge
last October funds have been raised by
Mr. Gales for the erection of a church
and school building. now in process Of
conjunction; and a hotel and auditorium
open at sides for the summer conferences
will be built at once by the president and
those Associated with him.
Plans are being made now for next
summers gatherings. Until this year the
association has not been in a position to
arrange for such extensively or to ac-
commodate a large number of people
Now there will be the hotel, cottages to
rent, boa ding houses, tents for those
who prefer a taste of camp NEE ting
life, and a camp ground for any who may
come from the surrounding country in
their wagons, prepared to supply their
own needs.
The auditorium and church building will
furnish ample room for the meeting. COM
Portable in either, fair weather or foul
and speakers from different sections OF
! the country are being communicated with
| that their services may be secured in time;
| such men as DIR. J. A. Quarles, Washing
| ton and Lee University; Rev r. A Tor
! rey, Moody Bible Institute Rev. A. c.
| DIXON, Brooklyn, ". Y: DR. w. c. More
/ head, Xenia, o.; Or. +. Q. Guerrant, WI
/ more Ky, Rev Arthur J. Smith Savan-
/ nah; K. V. Miller, Toccoa; Rev. r l..
! Lamb. one of the sweetest gospel sing
| ers in the country, and others, and some
! of these gentlemen have already consent
! ed to be on the programme
The East has its NOrthfeld; the Middle
! States, Winona Lake, on the Pacific coast
! the Christians Of the far West have their
| annual conference; the great Methodist de-
| nomination has its Ocean Grave. Mon
| treat is intended to be for che South.
standing for all these other places do in
! the way of education, DEVELOPMENT and
| inspiration for Christian service and with
| possibilities that none of these others pos
| sess, In that many thousands through
! out our mountain country need and hunger
| for the gospel, and from ths point of ad-
vantage work NAV be pushed among
| them the year round, to the detrment OF
| no denomination but In harmony and d.
operation with them all.