The Washington herald., 1913-08-31

Rtllgiu-s elements in man are bound to
show themselves in some way, fndivid-
ually and socially. These elements pre-
vail more or less in every country. In
1he United States the chief religious ele-
1nents are Christian, and II is inter
esting to take a glance at some OF the
,rrominent manifestations of these ele-
,+nents in the social world during the
summer months.
Perhaps earliest in these outworkings
Of the Christian religious spirit in this
people was the camp meeting or Metho-
'fists. These were socially evangelical
Developments of the suscepuolhtles OF
peopIe, for the season, with the main
purpose to have a good time and to lead
men TO confess Christ. The camp meet
ing has been planted into the history OF
rbe country, even il not prevailing now.
and is recalled by places in widely diner-
emf parts, such as Emory Grove, lnd.
Nuncy Grove, Pa, and well-knoWn New
England grounds.
Slowly, but with gathering momentum
the religious world of the United states
has developed many lines and great sys-
TENS Of these season features. site ana
ronvenience aesthetics and economy, have
greatly governed the lines and the sys-
,:srns. while accessible lakes, rivers, hills,
and mountains have become famous sum-
rner places in the country's religious so
lCiaI life. Chatauqua, n. Y. and Winona,
Ind, are instances OF lake resorts, the
F1sIes of Shoals of ocean gatherings ROCK
River Assembly, Ill, of river attractions
and Mortified of the oeauteous mus
while far away Zurich's Sunday schocl
convention represents the mountain rem
devious.
These qualifications and stimulations OF
the various natures in religious man
have become numerous, through tempo
rary gatherings, following neighoorhood
or ecclesiastical boundaries. VI theSe
the Sunday school picnic has become a
Christian institution from Maine TO Cal
ifornia A later product, one more fully
and more generally availed of is the
church excursion to desirable resots' as
n the Congregationalists of Boston were
10 arrange for day to the Blue
Hills. or the Methodists Of New Eng
land for a meet at the White Mountains
These reflections are an attempt 10
survey the influences of the reh-
Cious the Christian, and the church
spirit on summer gatherings in these
States Northfeld, chief and most far-
sighted in plan, has just closed for the
season, Chautauqua, of greater repute IN
the past, powerfully recreative and Social
is just concluding varied and truly con-
structive program which began III
July. At the same time, and less known
in New England, have been the weeks
of hearty worship, scholarly instruction,
informing lectures, and happy recreation
on select grounds in other States. That
at Winona, Ind, was under general
church auspices, with the Presbyterian
prevailing; one largely attended was at
Rock River, Ill, managed by different
denominations, the Lutheran prevailing,
while among others was tine special Lu-
theran week at Gettysburg, Pa.
Some of the most pleasant and profita-
BILE temporary church days have been
those on the hills along the Upper Sus-
auehanna and the Blue Ridge Heights.
Because of the inspiration from scenic
effect and from concourses of people the
Blue Ridge days have been the most i'm
pressive. To the routine life of the cul-
Lvator in the Cumberland Valley and in
Maryland and to the shut-in life of the
Baltimore or Pennsylvania city and town
people a day on the heights gives new
life TO the lungs, the senses and the mind,
quickening also church and Christian
feelings by the nature of the day. As
these gatherings are over and across the
boundary line between Pennsylvania and
Maryland the place Of the meetings is