Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-06-19
CAMDEN CAMP ON THE WANE
No Religious Services VIII be
Held at That Historic Place
This Summer.
PROBABLY A THING OF THE PAST
This Seems to be the General
Impression. ....


Special Correspondence Of Gazette ana juruuN
Camden, June II. After three efforts,
the board of managers Of tho Camden
Campmeetlng Association, having failed
to interest the people of Kent county
in the continuance ut the annual camp
meeting Mt that historic spot. which
has not only boon the scene of many
sriritul awakcnings, but numerous
political conferences, notably when
Robert j. Reynolds was the Domp-
cratic nominee for governor, at u meet
ing Leld Saturday, decided to hold no
camp this Year, Here politicians from
all over the county have gathered: and,
while some attended the religious
services, many discussed the POLITICAL
situation in the various districts Of
the county, and plans were laid which
brought about u successful campaign.
But all this is n thing of the pass, for
tho politicians have turned t. such
places as Rohoboth, Slaughter's Beach,
liowors Beach and Woodland Beach.
No doubt tho want of interest anon Z
the people ends Camden camn for all
time, and the Noted assemblage4 Of
years gone by will soon be only q
memory,
Tho camp was started in 1855, q
charter being granted ''in the name of
the Christians on Camden Union
Camp Ground. This act was drawn
by the late G.. H. b. Day, and among
those who were active in making the
camp sucress was the Rev. Richard
ALlaband, who enlisted the support OF
Wharton Street NJ f. Church, Phila
delphia. The original charter required
that there be nine trustees, two from
Dover, four from Camden, ono from
WILLOW Grove and two from Wharton
Street Church. For many years this
, church patroni2ed thP carp, and fire.
luently had as many as l0l tents; md
special trains we're run from philadel-
phia on Sundays 70 accommodate the
large crowds. but for number Of y Rrs
that has not bsen the case, and, as a
consequence, the interest in the camp
has been on the waua. The present trVs
toes are: William r. Smith ard 4. Il.
Moore Of Dover aud Dr. 4. ". Cooper
W. f. MaloGey, c. IL. Fardee and
Thomas Simpson 81 alnden. The old
charter governing the organization eN-
| PRED three years ago, and committee
has been appointed 10 secure new
charter, in order 20 make the title 70
| tho grounds legal Camden camp was
| ~ us lclshb III A-fNs lflI4N1 NlAt.L NftsF
it required over 10 carloads OF lumber
to build the tents. Thare have been
over 700 tents on the grounds, and
people camped in wagons TO accommo-
date the visitors. N! this was when
people assembled there for religious
worship and not for social pleasure.
The managers seem 10 think that the
lack of interest is due to the young
people Of to-day disliking tho restraint
that is thrown about them here. they
preferring the easy ways Of the sea
shore. Many solutions have been pre-
ssnted for the problem which is now
before the trustees to solve as to the
disposition of the grounds. Some sug
gest that tho trustees mortgage the
property and apply tho money thus
secured to the erection of permanent
tents and in making the place moro
attractive; others advocate the leasing
Of lots to church parties for term OF
five years and let them erect their own
tents and own them, and still Others
are Of the opinion that the best move
to make is to sell the ground and
divide the money among tho donating
organizations. The general sentiment
seems to be that CamGen camp, which
has been an important factor in thu
States history, is thing of the Iast