I have many memories of the Hortense Camp Meeting. It was the first camp I had ever been to, and since my husband’s grandfather got it started, it holds a special place in my heart. I went to camp meeting in 1943 for the first time, and it was a great experience. I had not been raised in a Christian home, so to me, camp meeting was wonderful.

We ate lunch in the dining hall, or kitchen, which was downstairs in the two-story building.

Years later, Henry was working, so all five of our children and I camped in one of the first cabins that Henry’s grandfather helped to build. We enjoyed that very much.

I still enjoy camp meeting and I come as often as I can.

Rev. Lee was a carpenter by trade and a minister by calling. He spent forty-five years in the ministry. Around 1900 he came to Hortense and held a tent revival. Out of that tent revival came the Hortense Camp Meeting. Besides being the founder of the Camp Meeting, he also did the greater part of the building – the Tabernacle, a covered open-air site for all services, and wooden cabins for folks to camp in while Camp Meeting was being held.

He attended in succession the first thirty-four annual camp meetings – he died in June of 1939 two months before the 35th annual camp meeting in August.

R.C. Harrell, Jr. served as Secretary and Treasurer for the Hortense Camp Meeting Association for many years, and he took an active role in securing camp evangelists and musicians. He supervised the construction of at least five block buildings that are still in use: the old dining hall (currently the youth building), the workers’ building, the Spaulding building, and the two block buildings that replaced the Days’ wooden cabins. He put a high priority on maintaining the camp facilities. He and his wife were both hard workers and loyal supporters of the camp.

Their daughter Dot served as camp pianist for several years. Hortense_Wesleyan_Camp_COMPLETE…

My most precious memories of Hortense Camp Meeting are when I was a child and we stayed in what was known as the Preacher’s cottage, located where the Spaulding building now stands. The prayers coming from the early morning prayer time beginning at 7:00 a.m. under the tabernacle would wake me. The special thing I remember was Rev. Ruth Newton’s fervent prayer for Brother Gunby’s children.

I always looked forward to camp meeting because I would see the friends I had made the previous year. The Sapps, Kerseys, Herrings, Lees and the Days were always there. All the little girls would have a new boy friend every year.

My parents made sure that we were in every service, but they did allow us to sit on the back bench of the tabernacle during the morning services. Before the service began we would pull the tender shoots from the palmetto bushes and strip them up so that we could plat them and make rings and bracelets etc. during the service.

Reba and Ruby Day and I would always sit on the front seat during the night service, but we knew not to talk or move around. If the Song Evangelist was young, good looking and single, we little girls would always fall in love with him.

On Sundays the families from the community would come and spend the day. They would bring a picnic lunch and eat out under the trees. The Kyle Roberson family would come in their horse and wagon and spread their lunch on the back of the wagon. Bertie Lee was my friend so I would get an invite to eat dinner with them. It was a delicious meal, especially the fried chicken and the cake.

When I was about 12 years old, after much begging, our parents agreed for Reba Day and me to spend one night in the Red Hotel up-stairs. We were so excited that we talked and giggled all night and disturbed the other people in the hotel. Needless to say we were not allowed to stay in the hotel any more.

I love camp meeting because it has been a great blessing to me and I hope it will always be here. I look forward to camp from one year to the next

I was Gwendolyn McEachern at the time when Rev. Frank Harris (cousin) was very instrumental in getting the Camp organized and operating. My Grandmother (Mrs. S. T. Newsome) (cousin of Frank Harris) was a great leader in this program.

Now that I am 80 years old, I can remember going to Camp Meeting with my Mother (Mrs. D. E. McEachern) and Grandmother – going to sleep on the benches with no backs – my head in my Mother’s lap, feet in Grandmother’s – most wonderful messages they discussed all the way home.

After growing up as a teenager we all looked forward each year to going for the inspirational messages (and seeing old friends). Still do go as often as we can each year.

After years, the J. J. Jacobs family included us in all activities and arranged for us to get to go. The Jacobs family meant so much to the Camp.

I have been married to Julius Lynn going on 63 years. We can still remember lots of ones we enjoyed seeing and being with each year.

We are fortunate to have Edith Jacobs Barkley, who lets us know Camp Meeting dates, and we try to go when possible.

In 1954, we were contacted asking us to have charge of the music for the Hortense Camp Meeting in August of 1955. We agreed to do so, not knowing we would be living in Chicago, Illinois by that time. I was full time in the Austin Wesleyan Methodist Church - music, youth, and conference treasurer under Rev. Arthur Bray, who was the Illinois Conference President.

Rev. Bray and the church board graciously allowed us to fulfill our promise to the Hortense Camp. We brought along our oldest daughter, Anne, leaving the younger one with my in-laws.

Rev. William Ward was the evangelist. He was a powerful holiness preacher! The services were Spirit-filled and we received wonderful blessings. It was a sawdust-floored tabernacle – a typical Southern camp meeting, and the building was filled every service.

While there, we were asked to sing on a radio program for Rev. Bill Phillippe, who I believe was the conference president at the time. Sister Lewis had us to her house for a meal – and her table would make the modern-day buffets look pitiful! She had a huge muscadine arbor, where we ate to our heart’s content. Her hospitality and the fellowship of many others inspired and blessed us greatly.

One night the Day Family had us all over to their cabin for watermelon after the evening service. We ate until we could eat no more and Brother Ward made the comment, “I can still chew but I can’t swallow!”

The heat, the mosquitoes, the sulfur water, the snakes, the dust, the tall pine trees were so unimportant compared to the good blessings we received there. We remember with pleasure those days, and we hope we will be able to attend the 100th anniversary celebration in 2004. If not, we will see all of you in Heaven someday

I’ve been playing and camping around Hortense Camp since I was a small child. I would not trade the memories of this for anything.

My mom and dad would always get us to camp some way some how with the Lord’s help. I remember one year our car broke down with us going to camp and along came Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Jacobs. They were so good and kind to help us out.

I remember the old saints back then: Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Jacobs, Mrs. Susie Strickland, Mrs. Nellie Long, Mrs. Matie Hodge, Mr. and Mrs. Dewey Day, the Harrells, the Lewises, Rev. Ruth Newton (Rogers), Brother Gunby, Brother Merrell, Brother Harris, the Middletons, the Milton Robersons, Mr. and Mrs. Poppell, Mrs. Padgett, Mrs. Carter, the Harrisons and some whose names I’ve probably overlooked. I can just see all of those saints in my mind today. They all had their own unique ways about them, but very endearing people.

In our era, Miss Ruth Newton, was our Children’s Worker. She always had interesting things to show and tell us about God and the Bible. I feel she had a tremendous influence on a great number of us that are connected with Hortense Camp today. She gave her utmost to the Lord and his work.

At lunchtime in the old boarding house, Mrs. Lewis and Aunt Lou would have the best smelling food cooking for the workers and others that were staying in the boarding house. They would have a meal fit for a king. They had no modern conveniences like we do today, but all the churches and different people would always help out in lots of ways to promote the work of the Lord. There were seven of us children, so consequently, we camped and prepared our own meals. We enjoyed the camp anyway.

The camp has changed quite a lot since childhood days, but it is a beautiful camp and a lot of faithful people have helped to keep it going. These workers are to be appreciated for without them there would be no camp meeting. I’m just thankful for being a small part of Hortense Camp.

When camp meeting time comes,I really would rather be there than any other place I know.

If just one soul is saved during the camp, that is worth all the hard work and preparation for it.

My family always looked forward to camp meeting when I was a child. The camp always convened on Thursday before the last Sunday in August and lasted ten days. This was the last important event before school started again. By the time camp started, our mother would have made all of us new clothes – dresses for the girls and slack suits for the boys. Weeks before camp my mother would bake pound cakes and tea cakes, wrap them in cloths and paper and store them to be eaten at camp.

Three weeks before camp the Arnton Lewises, Mr. Harrell and my family would go to the camp to clean and prepare for camp meeting. We scrubbed the benches under the tabernacle, every room in the boarding house,and the wooden cabins on the grounds. We usually went back three times before camp started.

For all those years the kitchen and eating area was at the back left in the boarding house, and Aunt Lou, a large black lady, was the cook. Aunt Lou was a big talker, always smiled and loved everybody. She was like a hostess at the boarding house.

After camp started our parents never allowed us to go into any other cabin or disturb the preachers and workers in the boarding house.

My parents, Flora and Dewey Day, my sister Reba, and my brothers, Glenn, Bobby and Grayson and I all stayed in a wooden cabin with push-out wooden windows. Curtains made of sheets divided the space where we slept, dressed, bathed and ate to provide privacy.

Our trip to the outdoor toilet just outside the camp fence was something to write about. We always tried to get several to go along because we knew the woods around had produced many large diamond back rattlesnakes. Also, in the middle of the night, many had heard the cries of panthers, which lived in the river swamp that bordered the camp.

My mother was camp solicitor for many years. This meant she was responsible for collecting money for paying the workers. She would go to Hortense to the stores and businesses and collect donations. She always counted on Mr. Bence Strickland, Mr. Alva Adams, and Mr. Talmadge Middleton; these were the businessmen of the town. They were always eager to contribute to see the camp continue.

Early every morning at camp the workers and campers would have an early prayer service under the tabernacle, and we children who were still in bed could hear the saints praying out loud around the altar. Soon the old camp bell would ring and it would be time for Children’s Service. These were wonderful services. Miss Ruth Newton was our Children’s Worker. She taught us truths that have never been forgotten. We learned to memorize scriptures, sing beautiful choruses, and she taught us that we could have a personal relationship with Jesus.

The testimony then includes two short songs she remembered from camp, followed by:

The night services at the camp were always so wonderful. We were privileged to enjoy some of the very best singers and evangelists. The wonderful French family and the list goes on and on. Many have remained true friends all down through the years.

I am so blest to have been a part of five generations to attend and enjoy the blessings of Hortense Camp:

My parents
My sister and 3 brothers
My two daughters
My five grandchildren
My one great grandchild

I can never remember a time when camp meeting wasn’t a part of my life. As a matter of fact - my mom left camp early Sunday morning the first Sunday of camp meeting in 1956 and I was born in Brunswick during the 11:00 a.m. service was going on at Hortense Camp. Since that day 47 years ago, I have not missed a Hortense Camp meeting.

As a youngster I stayed with my grandparents, Dewey and Flora Day, while my parents worked. This is when the love of camp meeting was instilled in me. Nanny and Granddaddy started preparing weeks ahead for camp. Back then you brought everything from home. They cooked their own meals at camp, so they moved to Hortense for ten days – and there were no conveniences right around the corner. We looked like the Clampetts going to camp. Granddaddy had a homemade trailer and it would be loaded. We couldn’t wait to get to camp.

My first recollection was staying in the wooden cabins. My granddaddy had worked for Lewis and Harrell so they saw that our family had rooms. My granddaddy, my Aunt Reba Ammons, and my parents each had their own individual cabin. My mama made two bedrooms using sheets to section off our cabin. I loved the wooden windows that pushed out and were held open with sticks. The cabins had all wooden floors and no air conditioning. Also the outhouse was way out in the corner behind the cabins - it’s a wonder we didn’t get bitten by a snake, but I’m sure God was protecting us. Snakes were not allowed on holy ground. I loved our cabin. We would get our water from the hand pump you had to prime each time you needed water. My Uncle Glenn Day built a brick cabin at the end of our row of wooden cabins and that was like the Hilton to us. That building is now the store (concession stand). My, how it has shrunk.

Unfortunately, times changed and the wooden cabins were torn down and replaced with nice block buildings. In the first block building there were three rooms. Nanny and Granddaddy got the largest room, Uncle Bobby Day took Reba’s room (since she had gone on to her heavenly home) and my parents got the other room. When Uncle Glenn moved to Orlando, he donated his cabin to the camp to be used for the store. After Nanny died and Granddaddy was aging, Doyle and I were engaged, so Granddaddy gave his room to us. When I got married in 1976 I made sure we were home from our honeymoon in time for camp. Since that time I have had three wonderful sons and have tried to instill the love of camp in them. Early in our marriage, our work schedules during camp required us to drive back and to from Brunswick during the week, so we could only stay at camp on the weekends. After time I was able to take vacation during camp and stay the entire ten days.

Now my children are almost grown, but I trust once they marry and start their families, they will continue the tradition of attending camp.

I have always loved camp meeting – some of my most wonderful memories are here – I loved the straw floor under the tabernacle as a child, the old dining hall, where the bowls of food were set on the table and passed, the two story wooden boarding house which seemed to be the hub of activity on the camp in its time. I even remember the first facilities on the camp – superb! Most important of all I’ve met so many wonderful saints in my lifetime that have already gone on that have been an influence on my life – I can’t wait until that day we have that everlasting camp meeting in Heaven all back together again.

Eldis, who is 88 years of age, was taken to the Wesleyan Camp Meeting as an infant, and small child, by her parents: Charlie and Emma Drury Kizer. She recalls walking up and down the aisles singing “I want to be a worker for the Lord” when she was a very young age. Naturally her parents were very proud of their little daughter, and first child, and I am sure were pleased to see her decision to work for the Lord at such an early age! I must add that Eldis has been singing AND working for the Lord ‘low these many years. And I have known of her love for the “Tabernacle at Hortense” all my life…as I am her daughter.

So many precious memories flood my mind and soul when I think of the Hortense Camp Meeting Days. As a child lots of fun and excitement, as a teen deep conviction on my soul, as an adult lots of cooking, weeding, mowing, raking and painting buildings inside and out. All of this was done with a joyous heart and motivated from the Godly heritage handed down from my forefathers.

My first memories were the years as a tot sitting in the car with Lillie during night services. On Sundays she’d take my hand and we’d walk around the fenced yard and enter the back gate. This provided entrance into the Boarding House where Aunt Lou would have the old wood stove fired up cooking dinner. She was always glad to have Lillie lend a helping hand. I would find Paul Lewis who was left in Aunt Lou’s care. We were dare-some to venture upstairs, since that was forbidden territory. However, we’d play on the lower stairs beside an open window until Aunt Lou would discover us. She’d scold us saying “you know Mrs. Addie gone be mad if she see you chilluns disturbin’ church”. Then she’d go outside and close the wooden shutter. Back then I thought Paul had magic power over her; now I know she and Lillie wanted us brats out of their way.

I remember those rainy Augusts. The rain brought cooler weather, but made our trek to the female comfort station hazardous. There were three separate buildings, but one muddy path. To protect our white slippers some kind soul would lay wide boards for us to walk on. Of course we were cautioned to look for snakes and spiders in dark corners. If it was hot, there was the convenience of the Savannah Morning News to fan with.

My very first experience of camping without my mama, I stayed upstairs in the boarding house. My roommate was Geneva Jacobs. Our room was at the head of the stairs, the choice room! We were directly over Rev. John Strickland and his wife’s room. It was very unfortunate for them, (so we learned the next morning) that our old gallon syrup can leaked and the floors did also. Needless to say, they had to hunt washtubs and clothes line that day.

Since I had older brothers, I learned early on how important the old sulphur hand pump was. It was amazing how thirsty those dolled up teenage girls get when the saw some eligible guys congregated at the pump talking. That was the only time of year many folk would see each other. On a more serious note, I cherish the memories of seeing those old ladies gather in the lobby of the dining hall for prayer after supper. While the youth met under the tabernacle we could hear them praying for the encampment. One of my fondest memories is being privileged to sing in a quartet in an afternoon service with Rev. H.R. Gunby, Clifford Payne and Brother Nelse Strickland. I believe it was 1951 and the song “Kneel at the Cross”.
When the committee began to work on this project they inquired about pictures. I explained that in those years cameras were very few and film hard to afford and develop. Thus, pictures were scarce.

Many modern conveniences have arrived in our culture since the camp begun 100 years ago. Let us never forget the toil and tears our forefathers invested in that sacred place. May God grant that we will pass on to future generations the same Godly heritage that helped shape our lives.

My parents were saved at Hortense Camp in 1949 and began a tradition of attending camp meeting every year. I was born in October 1952, so the first camp meeting I attended was in August 1953. Of course I do not remember being at camp meeting those first few years, but it is significant to me to know that I was there.

The very first memory I have of being at the Hortense Wesleyan Campground was on a workday when folks with a mind to work had come to prepare for camp meeting. I was probably about five or six years old because this memory is very clear. The men lifted those heavy wooden-slatted benches from the pile under the Tabernacle and carried them out, setting them down outside the Tabernacle. Using buckets of water and brooms or brushes, the women scrubbed the benches. As soon as the sun had dried some of the water from the benches, the men brought the cotton mattresses that had been stored in the block worker’s building and laid them on the backs of the benches to sun. Meanwhile, a team of workers had been scrubbing the two-story dorm, using brooms, mops and buckets of water to sweep down and clean every room. Later, when the dorm floors were dry, the men rolled up those cotton mattresses, that had been freshened by the sun, and carried them on their shoulder into the dorm, putting them on the beds. Each man carried one double mattress, holding it in a roll, some downstairs and some upstairs, till each room had a mattress.

I was impressed that these people were working so hard, doing work I’d never seen done before. I decided that if Camp Meeting was worth this much work, then it must be very important and very special. I still consider Camp Meeting at Hortense to be the highlight of every year in my life.

I attended the Hortense Camp Meeting for the first time in August 1921. At this time I sat in the car and kept Julian Middleton who was one year old. Those years were before insect sprays, so we had to fan mosquitoes while we sat in the car. Of course, there were no glasses in car doors then either.

The rides from Atkinson to Hortense were always long as the roads were bumpy, dusty and full of children. For a long time Mr. Middleton had a “Roadster” with only one seat. The parents and two small children sat on the seat and I sat in the door with my feet on the running board. Going home I would fall asleep and Mrs. Middleton would hold the sleeping baby with one arm and hold me in the door with the other one.

The two story “Boarding House” had kerosene lamps. Downstairs was a kitchen with a wood-burning cook stove, home made tables and benches. Oilcloth was used for table covering. After the oldest Middleton children were old enough to go under the tabernacle, I would take the young ones with me to the Boarding House and I would assist Aunt Lou in the kitchen. My main job was to peel some items used for the noon meal. I couldn’t get too involved helping Aunt Lou because my main responsibility was the children left in my care. They were not allowed to run wild and be noisy inside.

The Sunday menu usually included macaroni and cheese. Aunt Lou would cut chunks of cheese for herself to eat. She apparently didn’t get to enjoy this delicacy very often at home.

When the morning service was dismissed, I would leave Aunt Lou, take the children in my care and return to the Middleton car. It was usually parked under a shade tree near the back gate of the fenced area. Our lunch was served from the trunk and the hood of the car. Mrs. Middleton and I would have spent Saturday butchering young chickens for frying Sunday morning, baking cakes, teacakes, etc. The perishable items were prepared Sunday morning because there were not ice chests in those days.

Many times camp workers, visitors and family members were invited to share the noon meal with us. Only those who boarded were allowed to eat in Aunt Lou’s kitchen. Some people arriving in horse and wagons would usually park under pine trees outside the fence down near the sulfur pump. Everyone enjoyed a refreshing drink from the old sulphur pump.

In August 1958 I helped Iris Smith cook for camp meeting in the first cement block kitchen/dining hall. We camped in the corner cabin, built years before by Mr. R. C. Harrell for his family. Iris had a six-week-old baby boy, so this made it easier for her to have him close by.

I always enjoyed the singing and preaching from where I sat in the car. They would try to park near the front gate at night so those in the car could see and hear the service. By 1975 integration was in full swing. I had learned to drive, so I became the chauffeur for Mrs. Middleton. At that time I was allowed to go under the tabernacle to sit with her.

I have many fond memories of my association with the Hortense Camp and have made many friends through the years

Memories, memories come to mind as I reflect on the “Old Camp Ground” and the many times I sat under the tabernacle, on the platform, then to the dining hall to feed both soul and body.

I believe my first time to Hortense I stopped at the well pump, held the handle, pumped several times – no water came forth. Someone passing by said, “Pour some water into the pump to prime it.” I did and then – water. My first lesson learned at Hortense.

As I recall, as I came near the sleeping rooms, I saw two ladies sitting in rockers. The one with the lovely white hair was Sister Lewis, the other was Sister Hodge. Their friendly greeting and the Saintly feeling that came over me told me I was at home in Christian fellowship.

I recall one night I was to preach. I was just in the beginning part of the message using the Scripture, “God knows who are His,” when one of those summer storms of thunder etc. suddenly came. A clap of thunder, a flash of lightning, (I suppose I’ll never know if God was saying “Amen” to what was being said or “close your mouth.” I think it was the latter as the people scattered and the meeting was over.) He spoke much louder than I and said much more in His wonders of nature than I could say.

Acts 2:17 states, “old men dream dreams.” I am in the dreaming age. I was born ten years after Hortense Camp started. I will be 90 years old as you celebrate 100 years of camp. Only eternity will tell of the good and the great resulting from the 100 years’ camp meeting services at Hortense Camp Meeting.

As I recall the Saints of yesterday and today, my heart warms at the thought of seeing them again at the Great Homecoming Camp Meeting in the air. May God’s very best be with all the dear people of Hortense. Greetings and Love to all. Hortense_Wesleyan_Camp_COMPLETE…

A dear friend and Christian brother by the name of Mr. Milton Roberson first introduced me to the Hortense area churches and the Hortense Wesleyan Camp in 1974. Brother Roberson was the Vice-chairman of the Hortense Wesleyan Church Board and also served on the Hortense Wesleyan Camp Board. Brother Roberson invited me to be the evangelist at the Hortense Wesleyan Church in Spring of 1974. Since 1974 I have had the privilege of ministering to many of the churches in the Hortense Zone and also at the Hortense Camp. I was elected District Superintendent of the Georgia District of the Wesleyan Church in 1981, therefore, I had many opportunities to minister at the Hortense Camp.

There are many “spiritual mountain peaks” that I can fondly recall regarding my relationship with the Hortense Wesleyan Camp. I wish to share three.

(1) It is very visible that the past and present generation of leaders have remained true to the vision of the founders of the camp. This “spiritual mountain peak” is an important reason why the camp has ministered consistently and continually over the past 100 years (a century).

(2) Probably the most important “spiritual mountain peak” to recall is the fact that many people have been saved and sanctified and are in Heaven today because of the ministry of Hortense Camp.

(3) Another “spiritual mountain peak” that I can recall is the wonderful spiritual services that I have experienced under the “ole tabernacle.” I also well remember the wonderful fellowship that I have shared with many ministers and laymen on these hallowed grounds. Not to be forgotten, is the wonderful Georgia cuisine that I have enjoyed along with many others around the tables in the camp cafeteria.

Congratulations on achieving this monumental milestone of ministry by the Hortense Wesleyan Camp Meeting. Numerous camps cease operations before reaching this enviable goal. Vision, faithfulness, sacrifice, faith, prayer, generous financial support, and God’s special blessings made this possible. A camp meeting loving constituency also played a vital role. Today we pay tribute to everyone who made this happen.

Many have been converted at its altar. Others have been entirely sanctified in its services. Several have entered the ministry through its influence. Unknown individuals maintained their relationship with Christ through its impact on their lives. Still others became members of The Wesleyan and other churches because of the influence of Hortense Camp. There are now countless numbers in heaven rejoicing in the eternal presence of God. It has been worth all it has cost!

The long roster of evangelists of the Camp comprises a worthy list of Christian workers. Their labors have not been in vain. Many will rise up in the final day of reckoning and call them “blessed”.

Hortense Camp impacted my life in a strange way when I was a very young child. My grandfather, J. R. Davis, served twice as an evangelist at the camp. He returned from there with a keg of Georgia sugarcane syrup. It impressed me greatly and gave me an appetite for sugarcane syrup that has never left me! I had the joy of laboring there in 1985, seventy years after my grandfather’s first ministry there. Incidentally, Rev. L. E. Galyon and Bob and Norma Cooley were my efficient co-workers.

My wife, Mary Parks Mitchell who lived in Darien, has good memories of camp services she attended. She was a good friend of Dorothy Harrell and children of Rev. H. R. Gunby, who was pastor of the local church. Later she and I were schoolmates of Dorothy, Theta, and Tau at Central Wesleyan College.

We join you in prayer for a great out-pouring of God’s blessing on the Camp and Celebration. May God bring revival and spiritual renewing there and throughout The Wesleyan Church. It is our prayer that the Camp will take on new life and vigor as it enters into its second century of ministry.

One of the highlights of each year for the family of Rev. Frank Harris Sr. was to attend Camp Meeting. We enjoyed meeting friends who shared Wesleyan experiences as proclaimed so fervently at the Camp Meeting. The inspiration from those services has lingered through the years witnessing to the call to live a holy life.

Another favorite event was to eat in the dining hall where we would be greeted and hugged by the cook, Aunt Lou. The Lewises and Harrells were always faithful and gracious hosts.

Later, while in college, I was invited to lead the singing for the camp meeting. It was a memorable experience for me. After becoming pastor at Liberty and Bethlehem, it was my privilege to preach at a Sunday afternoon service.

I cherish the blessings the Camp Meeting brought to my father’s family and to countless others.

Enclosed is a check given in memory of Rev. and Mrs. Frank Harris, Sr. with the prayer that others will continue to be blessed by the Camp Meeting

In July 1966, the Clemenses moved from a pastorate in Birmingham, Alabama, to Covington, Georgia to accept the pastorate there. Brother Raymond Hicks, Conference President, contacted us to see if we would lead singing at the Hortense Camp Meeting in August of that year. And we accepted.

We arrived with our four boys: Clifford, Steve, Jon and Paul, with enough clothing for the six of us for ten days, our little dog, Topper, and our cat – a Siamese named Cicero. When Sister Lewis saw the cat she thought it was a raccoon.

Monday after camp meeting, we took the boys down to the coast, spent the day on the beach, then came back late Monday night. We were given permission to stay in our cabin an extra night. As we drove up to the door of our cabin, there was a large rattlesnake lying in front of the door. I ran over it, backed up and ran over it again to kill it. I got out to see if it was dead and heard some people laughing. Sister Lewis had killed the snake with a hoe during the day while they were cleaning up the camp. They laid it there to scare and fool us when we drove in that night. The boys kept the rattles from the snake for a long time.

In all we helped three different times at Hortense Camp. Our boys loved it there – they still talk of the wonderful times they had at Hortense.

Rev. Paul Eger, a man of God, was one of the evangelists. I can’t remember the other two, but I know they loved the Lord. Those were wonderful days and many of the saints have died and gone on to Glory. We plan to meet them in Heaven someday.

We look forward to seeing many of you at the 100th reunion in 2004

Thank you for your invitation to attend the 100th anniversary celebration of the camp. I have nothing but the fondest memories of Hortense and the dear people near there who made their ways from surrounding towns and cities to that remote area for such a fabulous spiritual event.

As a pastor at the Wesleyan Church in Savannah, I had the joy of driving over and finding a place to stay or commuting to the services. We would bring our folks and teens to the camp meeting, always thrilled at the way God worked.

As a worker, I was a youth and song evangelist at least one year. Not sure that the title is correct but the job was just that. I had the joy of working with Burl O. Crowe. We became instant friends and he was a tremendous spiritual mentor to me. I received far more blessings than I imparted. Here’s some funny stuff I remember:

When I arrived at the camp, one of the workers who cared for the worker’s quarters was leaving my room with a box and a broom. I introduced myself and asked him what was in the big box. He said, “preacher, you don’t want to know.” I said, “now I am curious. What is it?” He was right. When he opened the box I didn’t want to know. It was a rattlesnake family! I asked him if he would keep this between us and not tell my wife until camp was over. A married man himself, he understood and agreed.

I remember how cold the water to shower was. You had to be serious about cleanliness to lather up and run under the water. No one warned me, so I was very surprised.

One evening the July Flies/June Bugs were more fierce than usual. Brother Crowe had been preaching for several nights. He would speak, use a hand funeral home fan to cool himself and step on bugs that landed on the platform. All without losing a beat! I was impressed. On this particular night, I sang a solo and one of the bugs flew into my mouth and down my throat! Like Crowe, I just kept going. No one said anything to me after the service except a young man sitting on the first row who said, “Mister, where’d that bug go?” I said, “I ate him. He flew down my throat and kept flying into my belly.” Nothing in my ministerial training had ever prepared me for swallowing such a big bug with my mouth open nor for answering questions about it. The little boy said, “Man! That’s unbelievable! It’s a miracle!” I held on to that promise throughout the night as I wondered if the bug would attempt an escape.

I remember the heat…great food….sulphur water…altar calls…the tears of repentance and joy…the renewal…the singing…the special musicians…the evangelists’ zeal…the hard working people who cooked, cleaned, kept the grounds and even collected the snakes. I have spoken in many places since and been camp evangelist again but I always had the fondest of memories and inspiration from your camp.

Now more than thirty years later, each summer I wonder about the good folks who love Jesus so much at the Hortense Camp. I hope that you all are blessed.

I have been asked to write concerning my time spent at the Hortense Camp. It is a real privilege to share my memories.

My family and I were in the parsonage for a total of three years as pastor in Hortense. Some of our best memories revolve around the camp. God blessed in many ways during our time there. I saw many people blessed of God and many who found real help at the camp.

I remember the hours we would spend along with many others preparing for Camp Meeting time. The raking, the cleaning, and the praying, and meeting in order that all would be prepared, was a good time of fellowship and bonding together.

I served as camp president for one year while pastoring in Hortense. This was a great year at the camp. I recall telling the board that I refused to beg for money. The board agreed. But after about the third or fourth night some people came to me and tried to get me to change my mind about this. They said, “we need the money to meet the expenses”. But I had committed this to the Lord and I was going to trust Him to meet the needs. The following night, four people came to me and almost demanded that I stress the need for money or we were going to be in trouble by the end of the camp meeting. I said, “I didn’t ask for this position. If either of you wish to state the need, please feel free to do so, but I can’t”. God blessed in every service, and I would receive the offering but would not press for more. As God often does, He more than supplied the needs of the camp that year. We were blessed in so many ways. At the end of camp meeting, the treasurer reported that all bills were paid and there was some money left over. As a matter of fact, the treasurer reported that what was left was the most the camp had had in the treasury ever according to the records. God certainly did bless in that meeting.

Another memory is on the funny side. I was young then and full of energy, and spent a lot of time with the young people of the community, especially at the camp. As you might guess, we were up to a little harmless mischief.

The evangelist, Rev. Dick Whitener, was staying in one of the cabins. He liked to take a walk each day. This particular morning, some of the youth from the Hortense Church went along. We got into a discussion about the huge rattlesnakes in the area. An idea was born. Some of the young people, I’ll not call names, but you know just who you are, killed a big rattler. While we were walking, they sneaked back to Brother Whitener’s cabin and placed the snake under his bed in a position that it could not be missed as he came into the cabin. When he walked into the room, he didn’t notice the snake until he sat on the bed to take off his shoes. He looked down and saw the coiled snake. What a show he put on!!! He ran out of the cabin about half dressed, in a hurry to be somewhere else. You could have heard him yelling all the way to Waycross. It took some time and effort to convince Brother Whitener that the snake was already dead and could do him no harm. When he found out that I had something to do with it, he threatened my life. Sure glad we had been friends for a long time.

My children have fond memories of the camp as well. Often we have talked about the camp and the great times we shared while there. The years we spent in Hortense were great times. The times at the camp were wonderful times for us all. We all have fond memories of those times.

When the Harrington family arrived in Hortense, Georgia, for camp meeting for the very first time, we thought we had come to the end of the world! We knew that we certainly were in “the sticks”!

We were definitely not prepared for the damp, extreme heat. It rained every afternoon and/or evening, which cooled the temperature. But during each day, the sun would pull the moisture out of the ground, and we were so hot that it hardly did any good to take a shower.

Because we had two little boys (David, six months, and Philip, three years), we were blessed to be allowed to use Iris Smith’s room, which was larger than most of the rooms. But no matter how large the space, it was a struggle to stay organized, in either mind or body, with the oppressive heat.

It was so hot that we decided it might help if we would buy a fan. Our reasoning was that at least we could get our skin dry enough to get clothes on. But upon purchase of the fan, we discovered that the wiring was so poor that the fan would only run on low speed, even when set on high.

Philip especially loved the floor of the tabernacle. It was a small boy’s dream to have straw on the floor in which to play during services!

Philip and David were quickly “adopted” by everyone, including Mrs. Clyde Bryant, the evangelist’s wife. She was a big help and watched the boys while Mommy was occupied up front.

The dampness affected the piano drastically. After the first few days of camp, the keys of the piano began to stick. By the end of camp, some of the keys had to be physically pulled up before they would strike again. This certainly slowed the speed of the songs! Perhaps the condition of the piano kept everyone guessing. After all, did the pianist goof, or was it the piano?

And then there was the okra! We had never had okra before, in any form, and having it boiled was certainly an experience. What made it even more memorable was when the leftovers from one meal were combined with new for the next. Slimy okra is something one must adapt to! I don’t think we ever managed adapting to it.

In spite of our difficulty with the weather, and the food changes, we made permanent friends at that camp, friendships that have endured a lifetime. Who would have dreamed that at the end of our years in evangelism we would settle in Brunswick, Georgia!

We have continued to make yearly trips to Hortense for camp meeting. Now we enjoy air-conditioned rooms, a carpet on our floor, and many other modern things. But the real reason we come to camp is to visit with long-time friends and meet with the Lord. We would keep coming back for more no matter what the camp conditions were like.

We still worship in the heat and rain, but it doesn’t matter. Camp has always been a life-changing experience. This year will be no different.

If I live as long, I hope I can be as vital and inviting to others as the camp has been!

I have many fond memories of being with you along with my father. We may have been the only father and son ever to preach the camp. We met distant family members but best of all our spiritual family was broadened in getting to know many wonderful brothers and sisters of the faith.

May God continue to bless the work of the camp. May souls be won, may relationships be strengthened and may people be deepened in their walk with Christ.

The Hortense Camp holds a very special place in our lives. We felt it an honor and a blessing to have the privilege to be one of the workers three different times.

I do not know if I would have much to say of the Camp that would be of special interest to the Celebration. From what I heard of the Camp, much of the improvements had been made for the comfort of the workers and all who attended. I felt that the Camp had been and still is a blessing to many souls, and no doubt in my mind but that there will be souls in Heaven because of the Camp there.

I trust that you folk will have a good camp in the year of 2004 along with a great Celebration. I think that it is wonderful that people have cared enough to keep the Camp going that long, and I hope that it will be very much alive when Jesus comes to catch away His Church. I am sure that the Camp will be a part of His Church.

(Rev. Carter’s wife of 67 ½ years passed away July 24, 2002)

1904 was a year of momentous happenings, 100 years ago, an event took place that would shape lives for all eternity. Hortense Wesleyan Camp was born. From a humble beginning the work of God would grow and touch many lives with the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ. During the past 100 years, the most important factor in the life and ministry of the camp has been the blessings from God. There have been times when senses were dulled, perception lacking and faith wavering, with valleys deep and people few. But in every inadequacy there was the presence of an all-sufficient Lord with unlimited resources who never failed to provide. For 100 years hymns have been sung, sermons have been preached, testimonies have been given, altar services have been recorded and, I understand, marriages have been performed and funerals conducted. Above all, God has been glorified.

I treasure the opportunities I had to serve as evangelist on two different occasions. President Sheldon Rowell and his staff and the people who attended and worked at the camp made them memorable times for my wife and me. I remember so well the altar services, the singing and preaching of co-workers and the youth meetings that exalted our Lord.

June and I offer our sincere congratulations to President Rowell, the camp board and the wonderful people who made up Hortense Wesleyan Camp. We wish we could be with you to celebrate this wonderful event. You are in our prayers. Just think! One century of service completed and the opportunity to occupy till Jesus come

I received your letter of 100 years at Hortense Camp. It was my good pleasure to be with you at two different Camp Meetings. My wife was with me the first time but not the last time. We did enjoy your Southern Hospitality and Entertainment. We had a good room and enjoyed the fellowship in the dining hall.

One thing I do remember. I did not like okra, but your cooks knew how to prepare it to my liking. I guess I ate my share of most anything they served.

We felt you had nice grounds and good buildings, and it was easy to preach to your good people. I remember the good early morning prayer meetings and the good altar services. I also remember that Dr. H. K. Sheets, the other evangelist, got sick and could not attend some meetings.

I do appreciate your invitation to be with you for the Celebration in 2004, but as of now I cannot count on being there. Trust you have a Great Celebration.

(Mildred, Rev. Scott’s wife of 66 years, passed away September 27, 2002.

I write to express my personal gratitude for all Hortense Wesleyan Camp Meeting has meant to my wife and me over the years. We congratulate all past and present leaders on a job-well-done as 100 years of ministry are celebrated in 2004. God alone knows the precious seed that has been sown there and the rich harvest already reaped…and oh, what is yet to be as this great camp moves into the next 100 years.

There are no more hospitable and genuine people to be found anywhere I’ve ever been than the sweet spirited Hortense people. We have always enjoyed the great fellowship and the opportunity to renew friendships and make new ones each time we have returned.

I recall my first time there, the camp got underway just after some very heavy rains. There were some “extra” snakes around as they sought higher ground. I was flatout scared out of my gourd, and wouldn’t you know it, Bob Cooley and some other terribly mischievous young folk brought a dead snake to my room while I was out and coiled that booger up just under my bed. Die I thought I would for sure when my bare foot sat down on top of that snake as I readied myself for bed. I have never been the same!!!

Having been back just a few days ago, with Rev. Mathis and his dear congregation, I have been reminded afresh of just how important to God’s kingdom work this dear old place Hortense Wesleyan Camp is and has been. I’m sure there will be rejoicing in Heaven for many as we greet dear glorified saints and are told by them what this wonderful place has meant to their spiritual lives.

Please keep on preaching, planning and praying that God will use the camp in a great way. I know of nothing that is more needed today. God bless you and give you precious souls as you meet this 100th year for camp meeting.

Thank you for your suggestion that I share with you some experiences of the Hortense Wesleyan Campmeeting. I was a camp worker there with Rev. Yancy Carter, my memories of the camp begin with the tremendous attachment the people of Georgia have to the camp. It seems to be a part of their life, and they are drawn there for spiritual as well as social help.

The prayer concerns of the camp caught my attention immediately. I was impressed with the number of times the camp was called to prayer, how the people prayed until victory was theirs, how that the youth of the Georgia District met with the adults and there seemed to be a oneness between them.

The preachment from the pulpit was evangelistic, yet with a strong emphasis on living a Holy life. The importance of this was the response of the people to those truths.

I remember the personal concerns of a Mr. Roberson for me. While the people loved the unusual taste of the water in the region, I could barely tolerate it. Mr. Roberson found out about my struggle, and each day he brought me a gallon of water from a “deep well.” Another memory was snakes. When I arrived, a snake had bitten two of the caretaker’s hogs, one had died and the other was very sick. Also, during one of the services a snake was discovered in the sawdust in the tabernacle. It was killed, and the service went on as if nothing had happened. Another time the youth were on a field hike and one of the boys killed a snake that was almost as long as he was.

I have since served as speaker for the District Wesleyan Men’s Convention and as evangelist for several church revivals. All of this has given me a fondness for the great people of the Georgia District.

May God continue to bless and anoint your efforts in building the Kingdom of God here on earth.

One of the great events of the Camp Meeting that I still remember is how the Lord blessed me as I taught the Sunday School class at the Camp Meeting, how the people prayed and God answered the needs of the people, and how they shared what the Lord had done for them as He answered their prayer needs.

I do appreciate the fact that the people did much praying at the Camp and that God still answers prayer.

Our prayers are with all of you as you commemorate 100 years of the Hortense Wesleyan Camp. May God bless you all!

Some of my thoughts and memories about Camp Meeting…

I thought it was nice having other kids there (I was in high school then).

They had awards for events…like sports and creative things.

A painful memory was that I was stung by a wasp.

It was nice to have different revival speakers at Camp.

I remember the meals like good black-eyed peas and grits (foods not normally available in Iowa but gives me some good connotations when I think of them).

I remember that Dad was good-naturedly teased about “pop” (his name for soft drinks).

I and my wife, Kathy, and our children, Kristin and Andy continue to serve the Lord.

I’ve enjoyed the preaching, the singing, the fellowship, getting spiritual help, and just being with Christian friends. I’ve been coming to campmeeting since 1995.

My first time to go to camp meeting was in 1948 when I was 11 years old. This will be my 56th camp meeting.

As a teenager, I camped some in the old boarding house. I recall the wooden-push out windows, the mosquitoes, gnats, etc. There were no air conditioners. You brought your own fan or just sweated. As young people, that was not a problem because we didn’t have air in our homes or cars. Now it just seems hotter because we are spoiled to cool air.

One year I stayed in the boarding house and a heavy-set preacher stayed in there too. He was sent to the camp by Hephzibah Children’s Home to solicit funds for the home. This man could almost rattle the walls with his snoring. It was like an old porch swing with squeaky chains. Needless to say, the other campers had problems sleeping. I was glad he was there only a few days.

I have very vivid memories of all the men leaning on the fence in the lane. These were men who enjoyed socializing more than they liked going under the tabernacle. When the offering was received, the ushers politely passed the plate down the fence so they could at least donate something to the offering. These men heard a lot of good preaching as well. The fence was taken down later on.

I’m sure you have noticed how much it rains during camp meeting. At times it is still hard to hear the preacher if it is raining too hard. I believe the wooden shingle roof was quieter than the tin roof we have now. I have heard the story told about this little boy’s school teacher asking the class, “What causes it to rain?” The little boy’s quick reply was “Camp meeting”.

It seems so many have had bad experiences with the “chamber pots”. My most memorable time with this was seeing this dear lady who camped in the workers’ cottage. Every morning after everyone had gathered under the tabernacle for the morning service, she would go across the grounds carrying her chamber to the old bathhouse over in the corner to empty it. She thought no one would notice when their attention should have been directed to the service and not her. Of course my mischievous mind and eye was watching her instead. With every step she would swing her chamber, and you could see it. This went on until finally we got more restrooms closer to the workers’ building.

I recall a Rev. Ward who came as an evangelist in 1956-1957. I remember all those train stories he used to make his sermons more interesting. Maybe his tactic was to instill a fear into us. Maybe he used them to relate better to sinners and get them to thinking about more serious things. I still think about this every year when those trains come by during the night services.

I always think of the kitchen, and I remember helping Iris Smith and Lillie in the old dining hall. I just peeled potatoes, washed dishes, and other odd jobs. I was not a very good cook back then. Why cook when they did such a super job?

After I had my two little starved boys (Kevin and Joe), I was in the new kitchen eating dinner with them. Iris and Lillie were the cooks again. Lillie had cooked fried chicken. Much to my embarrassment, I discovered my boys had a plate piled high with chicken bones. To punish them I made them use some of their allowance money to pay for their greed and bad manners. I believe they loved fried chicken better than most preachers. They still say that Lillie could cook the best chicken they have ever eaten.

Before my girls (Karis and Linda) were old enough to camp, they would stay with Ladd (Aunt Addie Lewis) in her cabin. Since they were Paul’s “Little Girls” everything was okay that they did. They talk about how some man came and brought a huge block of ice for their ice box. It was so big they carried it with big ice tongs. I’m sure they enjoyed all those snacks they ate from the ice box as well.

Then, when Karis and Linda got older, they got to stay in the boarding house. The most prized room was at the top of the stairs. One year they went early and fixed us their room and evidently someone else wanted it too. When they went back to camp someone had moved them out and gave them another room. As I said, it was the room everyone wanted for some reason. I don’t think they will ever forget about being pushed out. Kids do all kinds of things. (Mine included.)

One time Karis and Jan Mobley had a room upstairs and Linda and Rena Beard had one. Anyway- late one night the clock radio alarm went off so loud. Sheldon came across the grounds to get it stopped. He finally got Karis and Jan awake, thinking it was in their room, but it was in Linda and Rena’s room. They never woke up so Karis had to break in their room. They had the door closed with a string wrapped around a nail. They finally got it stopped. I did not find out about this disturbance until this week. Linda told me what they did.

Through the years, so many people have helped to keep the camp going. Some with hard work, and others by donating produce, desserts, or whatever they had to share with the kitchen. Where else could you go to spend 10 days for $55.00? That’s only $5.50 a day for three meals, a room, and insurance. No where except Hortense Camp. Inflation has not hit there. If people did not help with donations for food, they could not do it. God has truly blessed the campers by keeping the price down so more can camp and enjoy the camp.

I have not done as much as some or as much as I should, but I have tried to do my part. I was camp secretary for 15 years, but the time came that I had to let someone younger step in. I don’t think some people realize all that the secretary and treasurer have to do. They have to attend meetings, contact workers, send out camp flyers, rent the rooms, keep up with the rent money and insurance on campers, see that the workers rooms are cleaned and ready, and a lot more. Now do you see why you need a young, energetic secretary? The camp president also has a lot of work to do.

I was just reminded about how at the close of camp one year everyone had left on Monday morning except Mrs. Addie Lewis and Mrs. Pearl Lewis. They were waiting for Talmadge Scott to come back for them after taking a load back to Browntown. All of a sudden a big rattlesnake came from the bushes and was crawling away. I know God must have kept him hid until all the campers were gone. When things quieted down, he was trying to escape. Would you believe those two feeble old ladies killed him with a hoe? When Talmadge got back they were as cool as they could be. It was just a dead snake. No big deal!

As I reflect on camp meeting days I can see in my “mind’s eye” so many saints sitting in their chosen spots. It seems I remember the ones on the left side being the Harrells, Lewis’, Robersons, Rowells, Spauldings, and many more. On the right side I remember the Days, Poppells, and others. In the center two sections I remember the Smiths, Lillie, the Jacobs, and the Sapps. No matter where we sat, we heard some wonderful, Spirit-filled messages. If anyone went away without their cups filled and running over, it was his/her own fault. God met with us there.

As we celebrate this 100th year, let us keep working until He comes to take the believers and saved ones home to spend eternity with Him and our loved ones.

Remember to work and give of yourself and your finances so that the camp will continue to grow and that many will come to know Him.

My Granddad, Joseph G. Lewis was a charter member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Hortense, and he gave the lumber to build the Tabernacle at the Hortense Camp Ground. Several other families donated their labor until the building was completed, first the Tabernacle and then the cottages. Having cottages to stay in was much better than sleeping on the ground around a huge log fire for the entire period of the meeting. Sleeping on the ground may have caused some to “catch their death of cold”.

As a boy I can remember when mules and wagons were the only transportation to and from camp meeting. The mules were fed and watered at the horse barn, located about fifty feet back of the present Dining Hall. I remember what it was like to ride in the mule-drawn wagon to camp meeting when the August rains had filled the creeks with water. Sundays at camp meeting meant lots of wagons loaded with food for the family for the day. Fried chicken was a favorite, especially the drumsticks.

My Uncle Arnton and Aunt Addie Lewis could always be found up front and to the left of the dais. Uncle Arnton was associated with the camp all his life, and Aunt Addie was associated with the Dining Room, first in the two-story Red Hotel and later in the cement block building. The present Lewis and Harrell Dining Hall honors their memory.

My brother Garland and I enjoyed attending camp meeting as boys. It was an annual event, and it drew people from near and far.