The Republican journal., 1903-10-29
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THE NORTHPORT CAMPGROUND.

80 S>~- O-----
What Has Been Accomplished in the Past
Five Years. A Statement from Rev. 1. HI.
W. Wharf.
To THE EDITOR OF THE JOURNAL:
Certain reports have Of late come to
me, and as they are far from the truth
and very misleading, desire in your
valuable paper to state the facts in re-
gard to the Northport Campmeeting
Association.
A little more than five years ago,
when l was called to the office of Pres
ident of the Association, matters were
in a very bad condition. The people
generally were dissatisfied; the entire
proceeds of the Association, including
the sale OF lots, was used in defraying
the expenses of the annual camp-meet-
ing, which was unsatisfactory from
, the fact that it was cross between
camp-meeting and Chautauqua as
sembly. The debt had been neglected,
only the annual interest being paid on
it. The old wharf was in such a con-
dition that the Boston and Bangor 5.
S. Co. refused to make landings here
unless it was put in tirst-class condl-
ton. In fact, there was strong talk OF
selling the grounds to a syndicate.
With the election of new officers and
trustees at that time, change for the
better was started A Warrantee deed
was adopted and given in exchange for
leases. The charter was amended TO
meet the present condition OF things.
The trustees and representatives OF the
private cottage owners were made
members of the Association. The
wishes of the people were freely con-
suited and complied with as far as pos
sible. The idea was, that if one pays
the bills, or part of them they want
something to say about how the money
shall be spent. This every Yankee de-
mands, and it is only right. A new
wharf was built in 1901 and payments
have been made on the debt OF the AS
sociation each year above the interest.
Permanent improvements have also
| been made.
The following showing has been made
in the five years just closed:
Paid on old indebtedness. ............S 900
Z" wharf, (S535) on new
wharf, ($1,300. )::...:..:........::.: 1885
| Paid for about 1850 feet of sewer, put
| in during years, about. .......... 4O5
An average of about $3.50 year on
debt and permanent improvements, be-
sides running expenses, expenses Of
camp-meeting, annual interest, etc.
Then the board of trustees found the
finances in so good condition at the
close of the year that they have, at my
suggestion, directed that $50 feet of
sewer be built and new office be fin
ished in the auditorium this fall. A
safe has been purchased for the valua-
BILE papers of the Association. But,
best of all, the people have become
interested so that the past season the
ladies have expended over $500, under
the direction of the trustees, in beauti-
flying the grounds. The money was
raised by the ladies, with Mrs. S. s.
Adams of New Haven, Ct, Mrs. l. B.
Chase of Bangor, and Mrs. L. M.
Wharf as leaders, from parties, coll
certs, etc. The trustees have added to
this amount, so there never has been a
season when so much has been done to
the grounds as in 1908. The camp
meeting was one of the best, but COM
ing at a late date, and at the same time
of the Waldo County Fair at Belfast,
the attendance was less than usual.
The spiritual results were the best for
years, as seekers were at the altar the
first day of the meeting. We have be-
come convinced that the masses want
a camp-meeting of the old-fashioned
kind, conducted largely by our own
ministers, and on revival lines. The
results for the past five years have been
beyond all expectations, and it is much
regretted that two or three Of the trus-
tees were obliged to retire on account
of ill health. Long live Northport!
It is the best place for camp meeting,
with the best opportunities for Chris
tian work, in the State OF Maine.
| /. H. w. WHARFF, Gen. Mgr.
Northport, October 10, 1908.
| The Kelley Institute in Portland, Maine,