The Washington herald., 1911-08-13

Religious enthusiasm at 20 degrees III
the shade is not exactly a commonplace,
everyday affair, yet for four successive
summers, in the full swing Of August, a
great inspirational meeting has been held
In the envir6ns Of Washington, growing
larger every year, and slowly attaining
a national scope.
1t Is q trite remark that the Great
Falls camp meeting and Biblical institute
is one of the most interesting features
of the "dog days. in this section Of the
country.
Without any blowing Of trumpets. the
camp meeting springs into being every
year. A miniature city Of white tents
arises It is a real municipality in al
most every way. II the city had mayor.
town council. and a newspaper It would
be practically complete, and next season,
II the population mounts over the LOCO
mark, as It promises to do. 1t may have
all of these.
II one is willing to live in a tent there
is no more delightful outing to be en-
1oyed than two weeks at the Great Falls
camp meeting. As a vacation II Is ideal.
One falls gently into the blessings Of rus
| ticity without any of the well-knoTn dis
| advantages Of rusticity.
The first view Of the community OF
white caps is inspiring. 1t is built"
on the brow Of a thickly wooded hill
overlooking the beautiful falls. with the
roar of the laundering waters Just below
| and great peristyles of oaks. elms. and
beeches above. A winding path up the
knoll and through the foliage brings one
to the gateway" and Just beyond is a
great tented amphitheater that at first
blush looks as II hY Yge circus had de-
| scended upon the community.
"weIcome" Sign Out.
An unconventional welcome" sign
greets the wayfarer. II his ear is tuned
for 1t, he may may hear the unpreten-
tious reed organ playing defiance to the
falls, or the stentorian tones of a revival
ist preaching the gospel But the first
point to attract his eye is the outskirts"
of this white city.
The maze Of tents forms a huge circle.
and at the entrance the welcome tent"
Of the Woman's Christian Temperance
Union forms a conspicuous feature,
with all it's exterior surface ablaze with
denunciation Of the demon rum. Directly
opposite the ladies of Mount Vernon
Methodist Church have erected their rest
the visitor to tarry with the hostesses
always delighted to extend to him the
best Of care.
These two tents command the entrance
to the big camp Beyond them the I'M
provised homes are clustered thickly
in circular fashion, here and there broken
into a lane. One of these lanes has been
christened ''Virginia avenue" by the
proud residents; another one is called
IL
little social community of its own: they
and discussions and plans for jaunts in
the surrounding hills and dales.
Just as the cathedral towns OF the Mid
die Ages were fashioned, the centerpiece
of this community is a big tent, the
tabernacle" 1t is of true Puritan SIM
plicity. The pulpit is of rough -hewn
wood, the woodland floor Is covered with
sawdust, the organ is small, but the
choir is large and the singing is vigor-
Gus. 1t is truly inspirational. Even with
the sun mercilessly beating down at mid
day the attendance is large and the en-
thusiasm is pervasive.
We are all one happy little family"
says Rev. George w. Gather, originator
and the driving force of the camp meet
ing. Ministers and laymen alike are
here to gain inspiration and renewed
health In God S great outdoors.
Population Over 500.
The unofficial census of the camp meet
ings shows there are now more than 500
citizens of the city" There are more
than seventy tents in the big circle, aver
aging between six and seven occupants
each. OF this population, more than sixty
are gentlemen of the cloth, and their
wives and children swell this total to
more than 80.
The municipal and domestic arrange
ments of the camp meeting have been de-
veloped into science, owing to the Wig
orous initiative of Dr. Gather, Rev. F. j.
Prettyman, of this city, and the other
leaders. There is flowing water drawn
from an artesian well near by, perfect
sanitation, electric lights. several electric
fans, and a large and excellently equipped
restaurant for those families which are
throwing aside culinary cares for the
time being.
Mine host at the restaurant is Carroll
Bloublack, who also conducts the cara
vansary at Great Falls. 1t is a real al
fresco eating pavilion-not a rival of Del
monico's or the Cafe Republique by any
manner of means. but an excellent place
for folks with appetites Working over
time. There are accommodations for
more than 100 persons at meal.
OF course, most Of the Housewives are