Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1955-09-29

ship were used generally by the
regular campers. Clean straw
was kept scattered in front of
the stand and around the "mour-
ners' bench" Two large board
ing tents provided meals for the
people, while some of the families
cooked for themselves.
The circle was lighted at first
by coal oil lamps, but soon after
ward by gasoline torches. At
each corner was a stand covered
with earth on which fires were
kept burning at night and on cool
days.
Many of the men took their
vacations then, and spent the
entire time of the camp meeting
on the grounds, looking after the
conduct of the meeting and the
general interests of the people.
The presiding elder of Wash
ingtOn District was i'm charge
of the services, and nearly al
ways attended them. Ten ore
more preachers were constant
ly present, and others came for
short visits. They lodged i'm the
Preachers Tent on Sixth Ave.
Services were held frequently
during the day: 7 and 7:15 am.
family prayers at the stand; 8:3C
a. m, prayer and experience
meeting, usually led by a lay
man; 1920 am, preaching serv
ice; 2 p. m, ladies' meeting; 3:3C
p. M, preaching service; $3.50
p. m, young peoples meeting,
and 7:30 p. m, preaching service.
"At every service" says Rev.
Milburn, IAN invitation was Civ.
en- to seek the Lord in the forgive
ness of sins and there were earn
est eXhortationS to the unconVert-
ed to publicly pray for a new
heart and begin a new life in
Christ.
ut was a rare thing when sin
ners were not kneeling in prayer
at the mourners' bench being in
structed by ministers and lay.
men,"
1t rained nearly every day dur.
ing the first season, SO many of
| the meetings were held in the
large meeting tent pitched on the
edge of the Grove.
On Sundays when the circle
was crowded, meetings were
held at various places on the out
skirts Of the camp, companies OF
singers and workers going even
among the horses and wagons to
urge men to be converted.
The YMCA of Washington, un
der the leadership Of the Rev
George A. Hall, had large com
pany of young men on the
! ground, with tent of their own
For a number of years the
camp meeting was largely attend
ed and the enthusiasm undated
our chronicler says. Crowds
came from the country round
about. The woods were full OF
horses, carriages and wagons.
The railroad ran excursion
trains from Washington and loca
stations up and down the roaC
on Sundays and special days
Hagerstown and Frederick were
largely represented. On Sundays
it was estimated that as many a;
10000 people were on the place
In the years when a political
campaign was on, crowds of
politicians came to meet the
voters, and the mound of rocks
lying between Fifth and Sixth
AYES. became the meeting
place of political workers. II
soon became known rs Political
Hill.
The circle was crowded will
people who promcnaded between
services. During the services
gates and guards were set up a
the avenue entrances to proven
access to the circle, and prcserv
order and quiet.
After the sermons, worker
went through the congregation
inviting and pleading with tn
unconverted to make an immed
ate surrender to the Lord.
1T was a thrilling sight" Rex
Milburn comments, ito behol