The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-08-30

sArUaoAY AuaVsT 90 1ao2 En4r
NORTHUMBERLAND.
Interesting Account OF the Great Kirkland
Grove Camp Meeting.

N'N NoWp 'tSStHS.
/ correspondence OF THE FREE LAcrD
heathsyille. Va. Aug. 20 1902.
The chief concern for several weeks no.,
IN this vicinity has been the annual con
vocation at the kirkland Grove CarnD
ground y larger number offamilies than
usual arranged this year to Join the en-
campment. number of them came for
the first time. 4 larger contingent of
strangers than usual were among the
tenders They came from Washing
TON Alexandria. Baltimore Danvilleand
fredericksburg. and Louisville. Ky.
lhe weather could not well have suit
ed the purpose OF the heencampment better.
convenient showers aliayed thedust.and
refreshing GOODNESS tempered the air
The favorable season made provisions
abundant and these, with melons and
fruits IN great plenty, added TO the com
Tort OF the encampment.
lhe Rev. W. Nistar Hamilton. of Ken
tucky. the leader OF the meeting. arrived
with his wife and son on the openinp
day and Rev. l.. \. Brown. leader of the
music, and Miss Nettie Reynolds. organ
/ ist, were promptly in place Messrs. Ash
unrn and Shirley had charge of the hotel
ol which Sir. Iecumseh Dawson is owner
ana responsible manager. and Mr. How
ard Gill had the livery in hand Two
+ photograph tents-one within the grounds
/ conducted by Mr.. Timby. and the other
/ uy Mr. Hitchcock, were in readiness for
business.
Ihe services from the beginning TO end
We're well attended The preaching was
earnest. simple and direct. with no at
tempt at Oratorical display. It rained
aud held the attention OF the audiences
throughout the meetings Mr.. Hamilton
was the principal preacher. and was
aaDiy supplemented several days by Rev. /
lnchard Edwards. of Farnham. The /
"ev. Messrs Reynolds. schools. William |
son and Wray. also took part in the
services
free use OF the black board in connec- /
ton with Bible readings in which ten or
Twelve members Ofthe congregation took I
part. was employed in one service each /
uaN. ana the meetings were not unreas- /
"naolN protractei at any time Thus !
tAe audiences Ue.e never wearied. and /
at no time evinced the least restlessness
seldom IN the city or country under the
most favorable conditions have large re- /
igious assemblies shown closer atten- /
on or more devout behavior in wor-
ship than they did in these meetings.
About forty persons gave in their
names Tor membership in different
churches during the meetings. Many who
prolessed faith in Christ found no Oppor-
tunity TO take this step. or deemed il pru-
dent TO wait before taking it. Numerous
evidences were at hand, and that from
mighty qualified sources. that the tenden-
cy oil the meetings apart from their pure
~ spiritual results was to elevate the
moral tone and commercial and business
integrity OF many people. Ii was apleas.
ure 10 see all ranks and grades of society /
all professions and trades-mingling
freely and heartily in these meetings. |
Lawyers and dOcJOrs-merchants and |
manuiacturers-farme and fishermen
congressman and legislators-judgesa and /
clerks OF courts-city matrons and coun /
try lads-city bellies and sylvan beauties
college students and rustic plowboys
all seemed to meet under the trees of the
camp ground, aud to enter into the
spirit Oi its meetings. The chairman of
the camp committee had assurances from
men prominent in the higher of these
classes of the informing. elevating and
corrective influence OF the meetings on
the domestic, business and social life OF
the people.
1t was most gratifying to have the |
testimony OF policemen and livery men |
that Notwithstanding the enormous and. |
perhaps, unprecedented crowd on the
was noticeable in any quarter.
The demand for hotel accommodation
(and meals particularly towards the |
close OF the meetings exceeded all pre- |
vious calculations and many persons IN |
fortunately had to go without supper. |
Much care was taken to avoid this. but |
the rush was beyond reasonable antici |
patton.
MIR. Il. l.. Peed, wife and daughter. of
Baltimore, assisted by some of our local
talent, delighted and melted the audi |
ences during the closing DAYS with a
number Ofsweet solos, DUETS, ,quartettcs
The miscarriage OF several shipments of
song-b0Oks, marred in a measure the
musical part OF the services, and depreci |
ated the already low estimate which is |
placed on theexpress business as conduct |
ed through our steamboats,.
Several cases OF severe sickness occur-
red during the encampment, the chief sui /
ierers being Mrs Guy, Of Washington, ID. /
g., Mr.. John B. Hinton, OF Lillian. Mrs /
Bettle Hopkins, ofCOan and Mrs Charles I
r. Lewis, of I.ewisetta.
The pecuniary needs of the meetings |
were generously met by the customary /
basket collection. and on Monday morn. /
ing, August oath, after ten DAYS of wor-
snip in Gods first temple-the grove
the committee followed the multitudesin
quest oihOme. grateful that all bills were
paid, and that Heaven had signalized
this years reunion with so much of bless
ing.
w.B.