The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1902-05-03
Waters, Camp-Meetine Ground Fiftv

! Waters Campaigning Ground Fifty
/ Years Ago.-The last issue of the Baltimore
Methodist contained some personal reminis-
cences of NJ T. Summers about the camp
meetings that were held fifty years ago on the
old Waters grounds in the western section of
this county, from which we take the following
extracts:
simplicity and enjoyment went hand-in-
hand when was girl and camp-meeting was
my Saratoga, my Atlantic City. OF course /
went to meeting occasionally, but somehow
it was more alluring to roam around the
grounds together. But was very young then.
1t all comes back to me now, like the memory
of beautiful picture, and must tell you how
we went to camp fifty years ago, The prepa-
rations were stupendous. Cooking and bak-
ing began week before the time of starting.
Then the tent was gotten down from the loft
and poles and pins subjected to careful over
looking. Garrett and cellar brought forth
various camp equipments and by this time
packing day had arrived. Boxes, barrels and
trunks were filled and hampers crowded,
and on the eve of our departure all were loaded
on a big wagon and the start made about mid
night. Before dawn next morning the family
followed in carriages as an early arrival on
the grounds was important, requiring, as it
did, full day to erect the tent, lay the floor
and make our place of abode homelike.
"Oh, the dear, busy mother What an
anxious and weary time it must have been for
her ! What model housewife she was, and
who had more convenient or comfortable
tent than she? And who took more delicious
pies and cakes to tempt her hungry flock 3?
The art of storing things and people away in
such limited space she possessed in the highest
degree and guests were numerous and always
welcome.
Never did meals taste as at camp-meeting
and appetites increased as the days flew by.
Saratoga trunks were not needed in those days
at camp, for dressing was very simple and APP
propriate. Our lives were very regular and all
ordered by the blowing of horn, as we had
no huge bell then to ring out the hour. How
well remember him who thus regulated the
lives of the entire assembly (Gen. ]. S. Berry,
Camp was not only the city mans Joy, but the
cred, the resting time came at camp for the
farmer, but alas, not for his busy wife. The
teams of all sorts and conditions, loaded with
furniture, provisions and family, which
poured in before the meeting began defy, de-
scription. And the costumes brought out for
Sunday display Can | ever forget them F?
How the sermons which were preached there
and the hymns which were sung linger in nv
heart and life Never can | forget either
Everybody went to camp then. 1t was the
great rallying ground for the Methodists of the
State. The dearest friends of my life are those
| made at camp. What royal time the young
people had, and how they grew, both physi-
cally and spiritually, in this healthy atmos-
phere.
Even the rainy days brought us pleasure
and rarely ever any i'll effects. Many times
have both eaten and slept under a raised
umbrella, for little streams would penetrate
canvas and run down your back at meal time,
and a warning drop on your upturned face
would arouse you from sweetest slumber if
the shower was heavy. But Notwithstanding
these drawbacks, we had very happy times in
storm and shower, as we'll as in sunshine, and.
strange to say, we never took cold.
I'm bad weather preaching was always held
in the big tent, as an awning was the only
protection at the stand and fully nine-tenths
of the simple seats were unprotected except
by the beautiful trees of the grove. Fires
burned everywhere at such times Gf the rain
allowed and crowds of young people. regard
less of the binding smoke, surrounded the
burning logs, laughing, talking and trying to
dry their garments.
"Ob, for return Of the old camp.meeting
days. and look in the faces of many loved
ones who have Joined the other throng.''