Eaton Reunion, 1926
The Montreal Daily Star
August 21, 1926
Primitive Religious Gatherings in Bush
Stories of the spirit that radiated from these pioneers are told by
Mrs. Tudor Eaton, who recalls how camp meetings were held, when she was
a child, in the beautiful maple bush on the homestead.
“One cannot estimate the good that was or the religious influence
that radiated from those wonderful meetings," she said. “The camp
consisted of a large tent which would hold about one hundred 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 preachers, of course,
facing the congregation, who sat upon board seats. The board tents were
built on either side for the families to live in. There was a beautiful
spring of water (which is still there).
“Families would come, bringing food, stoves and bedding and stay
for a week or ten days in the board tents. Sometimes parts of the families
would have to stay at home to keep the stuff but they would take turns
so all would get the benefit of the meetings.
“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. Although we have no account of these meetings during
grand-father’s life we know of them being held as late as 1881,
but cannot learn how often they had been held.”
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