In South Carolina. 273 



under the blessing of God, thousands were brought to 

 the knowledge of salvation. 



The first camp-meeting in Rutherford county was 

 held in 1802 about eight miles above the court-house, 

 and near a Presbyterian church called Little Brit- 

 ain. It was conducted by Dr. Hall and Dr. Wilson, of 

 the Presbyterian Church, who, however, welcomed the 

 labors both of Baptist and Methodist preachers. Thos. 

 L. Douglas, from the Swannano Circuit, attended this 

 meeting, became a great favorite of Dr. Hall, and 

 preached with great power and effect. David Gray, 

 a gentleman of piety and intelligence, who lived and 

 died near Rutherfordton, and who was present at 

 this first camp-meeting, as also at others held at the 

 same place, gave, by request, the following account 

 of it: 



There was a powerful work among the people, such as had never 

 been witnessed before in this part of the country. Many were as- 

 tonished beyond measure, and appeared to be frightened almost to 

 death. They would fall sometimes, under preaching, their whole 

 length on the ground, and with such suddenness and violence as 

 seemed almost enough to kill them. Some of my neighbors fell at 

 my feet like men shot in battle. This the people called being 

 " struck down," and when they professed religion, they called that 

 " coming through." Persons of all ages were " struck down " and 

 "came through ;" and even little boys and girls, not more than ten or 

 twelve years old, were subjects of this work; and their exhortations 

 to the people were calculated to melt the hardest heart. Those who 

 had no religion looked like condemned criminals before the judge, 

 waiting to hear the sentence of death pronounced against them. A 

 married lady, during one of the services, sat under deep conviction, 

 and cried for mercy in the greatest distress of mind for an hour or 

 two, when at length she was powerfully converted and shouted the 

 praises of the Lord until she was exhausted. After a little she 

 called for her child, about four months old, and when it was brought 

 and laid in her arms, she dedicated it, like Hannah of old, wholly 

 to the Lord, and raising both her hands, uttered one of the most fer- 

 vent and touching prayers I ever heard, that the Lord would spare 

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