The Methodist campground has been the site of the annual Bend event for 150 years. In 1858, Texas had been a state for only 13 years, having joined the Union in 1845.

The Comanche Indians, by order of Congress, were moved out of Texas and into Indian Territory in 1858. (The Comanches did not recognize that order and were not removed until many years later.)

That same year, Congress authorized the Butterfield Mail and Stage Coach Line. Also in 1858, the Methodist Camp Meeting was founded near its current-day location on Cherokee Creek near Chappel Community in San Saba County.

The camp meeting has been held every year without interruption since that time -- for 150 years of faith and stewardship.

The Civil War in the 1860s did not shut it down, nor have any of the wars since, nor the Great Depression.

"The Methodist campground has been witness, along with Texas and the rest of the world, to many historic national and world events," said a camp spokesman.

"We have seen great leaders like Sam Houston; great cowboys like Bill Pickett; storied cattlemen like Charlie Goodnight; inspiring military leaders like Audie Murphy and Dwight Eisenhower; historic events like the walk on the moon; and gifted men such as Dr. Michael DeBakey, who had great medical breakthroughs, just to name a few of the thousands.

"We have witnessed tragedy as well: killer hurricanes and floods, flu and polio epidemics, and shameful acts such as a presidential assassination," the spokesman con- tinued. "We have been witnesses to great movements and changes in America: Prohibition, the Women's Suffrage Movement and the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.

"All those things have come and gone, but the Camp Meeting is still going on."

Evangelist for this year's meeting is Dr. Stan Cosby, senior pastor of St. Stephen United Methodist Church in Amarillo.

Cosby has close ties to the revival, as he is married to the former Susan Carson, a descendant of the Tate family -- one of the founding families of the camp meeting.

Theme for this year's event is "Roll, You Mighty River, Roll!"

Special music will be by Johnny Ray Watson, who is in the Christian music ministry full time.

He has performed for Billy Graham Crusades, America for Jesus rallies, the Moody Bible Institute, Bill Glass Prison Ministries and numerous other churches and organizations.

Services will be Thursday through Aug. 17 at 8 p.m. each night. Sunday School will be held at 10 a.m., followed by worship service at 11 a.m.

A covered-dish luncheon will follow the service.

Members of Bend United Methodist Church invite everyone to attend. For information or directions, phone (325) 628-3599 or 628- 3280.