OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING CONDUCT AT CAMP-MEETING.
By Fannie H. Shaffer
While attending a State camp-meeting lately, I was much impressed with the conduct of some of our sisters who had babies or unruly children two or three years of age. The mothers almost invariably took the front seats; and whenever the children became restless or cried, the attention of the congregation was taken from the minister. Think of him trying to speak with several crying babies between him and the greater part of his audience! I cannot forbear mentioning an instance of this nature which occurred several years ago at a meeting in the same State. The encampment was quite large, about twelve hundred being on the grounds, and consequently quite a number of the small folks were present. And what did the mothers do? Did they take the children back in the congregation, so as to run no risk of causing a disturbance?—No! The speaker’s platform was literally surrounded with baby carriages; and as a consequence, there was scarcely a moment when quiet reigned. I could but wonder at the patience and forbearance of our ministers. I do not say this to discourage mothers from attending our meetings, for they, above all others, need the words of counsel and encouragement that the Lord sends in such abundance. But should we not exercise a little common sense and true courtesy? If the child cries, it must necessarily disturb some, even in the back part of the tent, but there the disturbance will be much less than when in the front. Again; during nearly every service there was a continual stream of men, women, and children going in and out of the tent. It is generally regarded as very ill mannered to leave a public place during service, unless from good cause. How must the world look upon such conduct! May the time hasten when we as a people shall have so thoroughly mastered the principles of good form that they will be practiced at camp-meeting and in all our walks of life.