The Journals & Notebook of
 Nathan Bangs 1805-1806, 1817

 

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G.F. Playter on The Hay Bay camp meeting
Playter History of Methodism in Canada 85-86

As these meetings were prevailing in several of the states, and were attended with remarkable revivals of the work of God, some of the preachers after conference resolved on having a camp meeting in Canada. The Bay of Quinte circuit was selected, and the spot was a field of Peter Huff's, on the Hay Bay shore, and near the chapel in Adolphustown. The field was sprinkled with logs, which served for seats. The meeting was conduced by the two circuit preachers [Henry Ryan and William Case], but [Daniel] Pickett [of the Yonge Street circuit], [Sylvanus] Keeler [of the Oswegotchie circuit], [Thomas] Madden [of Smith's Creek circuit], and Bangs, were present. A few persons had tents in the field, made by poles, and covered with cotton or linen sheets and blankets. A boat load of Methodists went down from Sidney. The attendance was not large, and scarcely exceeded a hundred persons at any one service, excepting Sunday. The services began on Friday, and ended on Monday, and were accompanied by a great display of the awakening and converting, as well as sanctifying, grace of God. A little incident produced a great impression on the heedless youth present. The signs of conviction and penitence seen on some sinners at the meeting, the young men disbelieved, and boldly told the preachers, they were the effect of scaring. At one of the services, when the congregation rose from prayer, a lad of eleven years of age, living at Casey's point, remained kneeling, weeping, and agonising in prayer for mercy, at the hands of a gracious God. Ryan noticing came to the place, and called the young people to come and see the sight. He asked whether what they saw could be done by scaring, for the sermon was not begun. They all acknowledged that scaring could not be the cause, and that it must be something else. "Well," said the preacher, "it will do the lad no harm if we pray for him. So let us all kneel down and pray." Gradually the youths believed in a spiritual influence, and soon after felt it. On Sunday, awful sensations were produced under the preaching of the Gospel, many bowing before the Lord in fear and penitence, while the pious were filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory. A great revival of religion was the consequence of this meeting, particularly on the Bay of Quinte and Oswegotchie circuits, which eventuated in the conversion of hundreds of souls. The meeting was quite orderly, compared with camp meeting in after years. Indeed, the people were yet in their happy simplicity, and had not learned now to be mischievous. 

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Edited by Scott McLaren
Book History Practicum
University of Toronto