94 Accoimt of a singular Comiidshe Affection. 



Perhaps, I ought not to have omitted to mention, 

 that involuntary laughing was very prevalent in the 

 autumn of 1803, and in the spring of 1804. Indeed, 

 there can be little doubt, that all the movements, &c., 

 of the affected, are involuntary. It is, however, equally 

 certain, that numbers endeavour to excite and pro- 

 mote the exercise, among whom I may mention the 

 principal of our clergy. 



Camp-meetings are held three or four times a year, 

 and continue four days at a time. From one to four 

 thousand persons usually attend, and encamp upon 

 the ground. During these meetings, sermons are 

 preached, addressed to the passions; and singing and 

 praying are carried on, with scarcely any inter- 

 mission, day and night. The hymns are of the most 

 passionate kind, and are accompanied with melancholy 

 music, which, however, is of a quick movement. 

 There can be no doubt, that this gives a powerful 

 spring to their exercises ; and, I think, among many 

 other reasons, this is evident from the consequent 

 different effect in the worship of the Seceders. 



While I was just writing the above, a neighbour- 

 ing countryman came in. He has himself been se- 

 merely exercised since the first commencement of the 

 affection. I asked him some questions, and his an- 

 swers correspond with what I have stated respecting 

 the desires and feelings of those Mho are exercised, 

 and respecting the absence of pain. They all agree 

 in asserting, that during these exercises, the senses 

 remain in iheir full vigour; and that, even in their 



