New-York tribune., 1901-08-12
OSSININGS CAMP MEETING.
SERVICES OF THE FIRST SUNDAY OF
THE SESSION BRING OUT CROWDS
AND RELIGIOUS ENTHUSIASM

The first Sunday Of the SEVENTEEN session Of
the New York and Hudson River Camp Meeting As
| sOciation held Yesterday its historic grounds
on Ossning Heights, brought the same amount of
religious enthusiasm which has made this grove
famous as the meeting ground for old fashioned
Methodist revivals and where the ideas or John
Wesley have uninterrupted sway. Indeed. from
o'clock in the morning until 10 at night the grove
| resounded with the "amens' of the worshppers
Sunday is always the principal day at this camp.
It is the meeting place for the farmers OF the
region. who fill the roads leading to the grounds
with farm wagons of every description 1t is also
the best season of the local trolley road. whose
cars are crowded to the utmost taking people to
and from the camp and village. Three hundreo
Methodists from RoCkland County churches came
by steamer from Haverstraw Saturday night and
remained on the grounds to be in time for the
meetings.
The weather was ideal and all who participated
entered into the spirit of the occasion ana added
vim to the meetings, which made the preachers
shout with joy. The first prayer meeting at b
in the morning was held in the Tabernacle ana
was led by Brother Sammy Haight, as ne Is
called For eighteen years he has led thls early
morning service. This meeting was tolloweu oy
meeting for holiness in the same place at .
O'Clock and it's expiration love feast was
started at o'clock At this meeting the campers
were given the opportunity to give testimony Oh
their Lords blessings over nifty testimonials
were given and the real religious fervor of the day
morning sermon in the circle The place desig-
mated as the circle is in the northern part OF the
grounds where sem-circular rows of seats sur
round the front of the preachers rest, from the
stoop of which the ministers speak The seats
are shaded by stately elm trees and II Is Just the
spot for open air meetings.
The sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. car
ter OF Sea Cliff. New-York East Conference There
is no exclusion for the shirt waist men at these
services and they sat in the congregation without
attracting the least attention. After dinner. at
80 the praying began anew with a Bible reading
in charge of the Rev. d. W. Couch, which was
followed by a prayer meeting. and then the circle
was the centre Of attraction again for the after
noon sermon, by the Rev. Fletcher HamhiIn OF
pleaSantVle-
Prior 10 Mr. Hambln's sermon the trustees asked
for $500 from the congregation To defray some or
the expenses of the session. Whenever a brother
or sister would contribute, his or her name was
shouted out from the preachers rest, with such
expressions as Brother Heay gives 50; would any
one dare to give five more or Brother BTun-
dase gives g; now, brother, don YOU thlnk bI
going hungry for three days you could make II
fiveP" but ne raised IL any. When the neces-
sary $500 was realized there general rejoicing
and the Rev. Mr.. Hamhlu proceeded with his ser
the evening address by Charles \. Crittenden. or
the Florence Mission. This rounded up the meet
inEs for the day
of three hundred and fifty Swedes held revival
under the charge Of the Rev II. y. Eklund, Pre-
siding Elder Of the Brooklyn Swedish Methodist
Churches and the Rev. .. swanson. OF Manhatta
All their meetings conducted I'm the Swedish
language. and with their quaint musical i0stru-
raents and hearty singing formed an Interesting
art Of the camp. All the meetings close next
marching around Jerusalem" which was insti-
tuted AZ this camp Just seventy years ago.