Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-07-10
PREPARING FOR CAMP.

presence OF the loousts this year is |
not expected to add comfort to a resi- |
dence in the woods, though the insect |
with its inoessant buzz will not dampen |
the ardor of those who find pleasure |
in the tented groves.
For many years interest in camp |
meetings In some sections has been on |
the wane, though this is not true OF
the worshippers who flock to the woods
within reach of Baltimoreans. The
lack OF interest applies more to those
temporary camps than the camps where
cottages have been built. These are
likely to continue for many years. The
camp at Camden, Del, will be aban- |
doned this year because of a lack Of
interest. In years gone by this was
the largest camp in Delaware, and was
not surpassed by any camp in Maryland
or New Jersey.
As many as 700 tents and cottages
from all around the Maryland Della
ware Peninsula and nearby States were
on the grounds at one time. The local
preachers and exhorters' camp at
Leslie, and the Woodlawn camp, at
Woodlawn, Cecil county, are still pros
porous, and the managers are busy
making preparations for this season.
The following dates have thus far been
chosen for the campmeetings on this
Peninsula: Sand Hill, July 26th
Tindalls, July 18th; Wheatleys, July
9th; Concord, July 20: Zoar, August
10th; Woodlawn, August 18th; Brandy
wine Summit, August Sth; Fenwioks,
August I'd; Laurel, August 22d /; Leslie,
July sd; Lambs, august Sth; Sloan,
August 9th; Sbarptown, July 18th
Hebron, July Goth; Smiths Island,
A .rN IL A
Sth; Parsonburg, August 18th; Sound,
leys, August 10th. These camps will
run from 10 days to two weeks.
An effort will be made this year to
revive the interest in campmeetings,
because this year marks the centenary
of the gcustom OF worshipping in the
woods. 1t is Just 100 years since the
most remarkable wave of religious en-
thusiasm which ever swept over
America brought the campmeeting
into popular favor and gave rise to that
extraordinary phenomenon known as
"the jerks" 1t began in 1888 and
continued until 1906.
In 1893 sacramental meeting was
held in the old Red River Baptist
Church, near Port Royal, Ky. Elders
Hodge, Rankin, McGresdy and John
McGee were present After fervent ad-
dress by Elder Hodge the emotions of
the vast crowd became uncomfortable.
Two aged ladies, Mrs. Pacely and Mrs
Clark, commenced shouting sentiments
| of praise. Despite the attempt of the
| preacher to continue singing, the shout
ing increased. The minister, descend
ing from the pulpit, passed along the
aisles, vehemently shouting. The clamor
M mi nf11I Il.
screams for mercy we're mingled with
shouts Of Joy; a universal agitation
pervaded the multitude. Suddenly in
dividuals began to fall PROSTATE to the
| floor as il dead, where they lay for
some time unconscious 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 were
the work OF the devil it could not last,
and II of God any efforts to control it
would be in vain. They re-entered the
house and found nearly the whole con-
gregation on the floor. Two or three
at time began to rise, shouting praise
for the evidence of sins forgiven.
The excitement was 30 intense that
the preachers could not attend the de.
mands upon them. Hundreds professsd
to have been converted that day. This
was the beginning of the religious
movement which on account of the
strange bodily exercise and agitations
attending upon it, was looked upon as
the most wonderful event of the times.
The next meeting was held at Muddy
Creek Church, in Logan county, where
similar scenes were witnessed. The
people came in all kinds of vehicles,
from distances as far as 100 miles.
Long before tho hour of preaching
there were present three times as many
us the house could seat, and constant
stream of people kept pouring in. A
temporary pulpit was erected in the
woods, and seats for the multitude
we're made by telling large trees. As
, night came on it was evident the crowc
did not intend to disperse. Some took
wagons and hurried TO bring in straw
, from the barns. Some fell to sewing
the wagon sheets together and other,
to cutting forks and poles on which t.
J spread them. Counterpanes, coverlet,
and sheets were also fastened together
to make tents or camps. Others wer,
dispatched to town and the neares
, houses to collect provision and cooking
, utensils to prepare food for the multi
} fires we're made and hundreds of candle
: we're lighted and fixed to trees. Thi
was the first campmeeting in the world
Rev. Barton W. Stone, an eminen
preacher of that time, hearing of tn
r religious excitement, journeyed {,
Logan county to attend one of th
campmeetings. He wrote descriptio,
of what he had seen, which is the mes
D minute account of 1.-THE jerks" extant
/ "On arriving 1 found the multitud
: assembled on the edge of a prairie
where continued encamped many sue
cessive days and nights, during all G
which time worship was conducted i
/ some parts OF the encanpment Tn
: scenes baffled description. Many, yer
many, as men slam in battle, continue
for hours together in comparativel
Q breathless and motionless state, some
times for few moments reviving an
z exhibiting signs of life by deep groa
4 or piercing Shrek, or by prayers fel
S vently uttered. After lying thus &c
hours they obtained deliyerancS. TIL
y gloomy cloud that had covered thei
i faces seemed gradually and visibly I
k disappear and hope to brighten int
2 Joy. They would then arise, havin
obtained deliverance, and address th
surrounding multitude in languap
truly eloquent and impressive Wit
establishment did / hear women an
children declaring the wonderful WORK
n of God and the glorious mysteries {
the gospel. Their appeals were solemn
heartrending and bold and free. Und'
such circumstances many others woul
fall down in the same state from whic
the speakers had Just been delivered.