A History of Carlisle United Church
Camp and Revival Meetings
In the 1870's and 1880's Camp Meetings were held annually in Mr. Enoch
Eaton's bush continuing for 2 or more weeks. Each family had a tent or
even sometimes a temporary residence built of rough lumber. People stayed
right there for the duration of the meetings. The light for the night
meetings was generated by huge open fires being elevated on platforms
about six feet high covered with earth. Three services were held daily,
and on the Sunday the congregation would overflow the enclosure and spread
out into the bush.
These camp meetings were unique to the Methodists. Their churches being
few and scattered, this was one way they had chosen for getting people
together in the summer for special revival services. "Methodism",
after all, had begun as a "revival of personal religion practised
with zeal and aggressive evangelistic fervour". John Wesley and his
helpers, finding the Anglican churches closed against them, took to preaching
in the open air.) The camp meetings were times of spiritual outpourings.
People were frequently overcome by the 'Power' as it was called, and would
lie prostrate on the ground for some time. (Some thought this was brought
on by the exhaustion caused by the nervous frenzy that they had worked
themselves into.)
Mrs. Tudor Eaton, on the occasion of the Eaton Reunion in 1926 recalled;
"One cannot estimate the good that was done, or the religious influence
that radiated from these wonderful meetings. The camp consisted of a large
tent which would hold about 100 people. Straw was put all over the floor
and boards laid on blocks for seats. There the services would be held
if the weather was not fit to have them out in the open. A covered platform
was built for the preacher...and the congregation sat upon board seats.
Families would come, bringing food, stoves and bedding, and stay for a
week or 10 days in the board tents...The closing of the meeting was often
quite effective. While walking around and singing, a circle would be formed
and each would shake hands with each other." In the winter months,
revival services were held indoors, often of several weeks duration.
These services, both camp and revival, were led by some outstanding
evangelist and after the gospel message "many who came to scoff,
remained to pray". New converts were formed into a "class".
These preachers worked mostly on the emotions and had a great effect
on some people while the meetings were on. But by far the most good was
accomplished by the regular minister who worked day by day with his people.
From: A History of the Carlisle United Church: From Its Beginnings to
1991
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