Subject: INCIDENTS #29 From: ELIZABETH RUSSO Date: October 30, 1998 INCIDENTS AND CHARACTERS IN THE EARLY HISTORY OF METHODISM By The Reverend John Elmore DuBois Edited by Elizabeth A. DuBois (c) 1998 DuBois Publishing Co, Simsbury, Connecticut. All rights reserved. Ten Camp Meetings Before closing my papers on Perry county incidents, it may not be amiss to say a few words about camp meetings, for perhaps nothing has done more to advance the cause of Methodism, to increase its members, to develop its strength and to distinguish its piety than these. Thousands have been attracted to them by their novelty, that perhaps might never have been brought under the influence of the Gospel in any other way. Some went through curiosity; others to criticise; while many of every class were taken into the fold, and went away faithful Christians. The time for the camp meeting was usually in the early part of the fall; an idle season, just after the crops were "laid by" and before the cotton had opened to any considerable extent. The spot was selected by a committee. The preacher would announce that on a certain day everybody that had an interest in the coming meeting must assemble at this spot for the purpose of clearing off the grounds, building the arbor and fixing the spring. On the appointed day, in the early dawn, the father of every family in the community that was to take part in the meeting, would shout, "All aboard for the camp ground!" And immediately the noisy boys and cheerful Negroes, with axes and ringing hoe, responded; and soon the mule team or the ox wagon with its merry group, was rattling along at rapid rate for the scene of action. After all have assembled a foreman is appointed, and the work begins. A short time reveals a beautiful spot, with a spacious brush arbor in the center, while under the hill are deep tanks of sparkling water as clear as crystal. This done, the time had arrived for tent building. These were arranged in a circle, square or semi-circle around the arbor. The building of the tent then was no great labor. Corner posts were set up and bagging tacked around. The cover was boards, pine bark or brush, as best suited the convenience of the proprietor. The arbor was furnished with a rude stand for a pulpit. The seats were split logs set on blocks of wood with holes bored in them for the candle to rest in. The whole encampment was brilliantly lighted by rude stands covered with sod on which glowed heaps of pine knots. These rude contrivances far outshone the flashing jets and gilded chandeliers of these more polite days. [To be continued.] ==== SCROOTS Mailing List ==== Go To: #, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, Main |