The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-25


Its Extent and the Extent Of the Grounds
Beauty i'm Nature and Beauty In Art.
WESLEYAN GROVE, MATTHIAS VINEYARD
August "a, 1865. !
Methodism In New York has its annual religious
outdoor reunions in Northport, Long Island and at
Sing Sing. The surroundings are full OF the beauty
of nature, and the golden rays Of summer gladden.
thousands who assemble to enjoy the shade ana
quiet those charming retreats while they hold CON-
munion With Him who is invisible. But In New Eng
land where the sea ashes the side of Martha's Vine
yard-an island picturesquey situated-the Metho-
dsts hold their religious conferences and their camp
meetings. 1t is indeed eafy temple-grand, charm
ing, wonderful.
Wesleyan Grove is situated seven miles from
Edgartown, at the northeastern extremity Of Mar
tha's Vineyard. 1t could not be more Economically
placed, as the ground is hallowed by all that ia grand
In nature. On either side are the waters OF Long
Island Sound and of the broad Atlantic LAYING its
| fine beach. while the dark emerald of the wooded
oak bluffs that rise sentinel like from acres of beau
teous lawns renders the whole aspect impressive and
inviting. Sitting upon any of the many headlands
at the close Of August day. while the sky
Is yet throbbing with the last pulses OF sunset light
and watching the moon climbing up out OF the
| ern sea, when the wing of the evening breeze
grows faint, and the waves fail in gentle MUIR
murs the Shore opens the vision To
scenes OF pensve beauty and tender grace which no
| canvas can reproduce, and fills the heart with emo
| tons which no language can interpret.
The grove is easily reached, and the sail from New
Bedford IN the STEAMBOATS, that depart TWO or three
| times a day can hardly be surpassed. You are
| glided by the pretty island Naushon, owned by Mr.
John NJ. Forbes, Of Boston, and upon which Is his
superb summer residence while the other islands OF
| the Elizabeth grOup-Pasque PennaqIse, Nashuaina
| and Cuttyhunck-with their bold bluns, pretty cot
| ta9es and handsome villas together with the quiet
appearance Of the town OF Falmouth In The distance
| and the villages along shore to the landing at Oak
Bnls, but eighty rods distant from the camp
braces twenty-three acres, the visitor stands
almost dumb with astonishment. TO one
| who has never seen but the rude tents that
ordinarily shelter religious campagners. liable in
| many instances to fall before stif breeze leak
like the land OF fairies The true the beautiful and
| the good in nature, art and grace are eXquisely
and perfectly blended. Upon every hand, between the
| tall oaks, so thickly studded are they that their
, branches intertwIne, making natural canopy in
many places, there are wooden cottages, one and
two stories in height, as large summer cottages
generally. There entire avenues of them built
In many different forms yet generally with the ltal-
ian roof, balconies, long and narrow windows.
These are exquisely ana tastefully painted in many
colors, and mat too. with view OF variety, so
Around and in front of these cottages wide
the streets, there are gardens, rich In exotic
plants and rare and snowy flowers, which convey u
strange feeling to the observer. The trunks and
nmbs of the trees along the avenues are tastefully
decorated with hanging baskets of moss and low
ers, while at their base are Oentimes arranged in
graceful figures the handsome shelis and stones
which found along the beach. These cottages
4oonps ,os @ ,,tt w'uG sot u r
parlors are spacious and decorated with taste and
beauty Articles of geItu rare cllres rare booHs
while pianos and organs note the musical tendency
o, may; vi thess co.,ages tnarG afs az PpI1en,
.ho W. ~ n1I c ,,1r J,t o,. NOR.
son and his necessary furniture, TO the grand en-
closure with its many divisions able to hold and
hoard from sjxt, TO scVeny-ye Resides these there
are houses of exquisite models erected with an eye
| to tner adaptalny as lodging places while others
arr Io1pi houses combined.
There is system and convenience everywhere.
Grocery stores. dry goods stores bake houses, post
| once all under the regulations OF the ground, are
TO be found sanitary rules, rules for the use and
care OF lanterns, FOR the transportation Of passen-
| gers. freight ana baggage not less imperative
than the conditions for granting leases Of lots which
are quite cNacting.
To NV C an idea OF the discipline that must he OBJ
served the ground the following special notice Is
| Appended
| yfsry,rp CAMP GpouSp August H. ls6s
The attention of occupants OF cottages tents IL called
10 the following important rules, which form part of th'
conditions 81 me Lease and which WI be strictly eniorcsd
onJ,s w LII a. ~. III az Nv, Wv, at No.
of the Methodist Fplscops Church II IL hereby te
cared that family cottages and tents Incidental
thereto dancing card playing other
duct unbecnng te place or s association WIZ be- Above
or az any ne ~ ss 91ss OF ,e. o upon -, ~
! %s s.'" "s''''''''" ir'''eS "u'''s "'' ' "
light in lantern must he kept burning within the ten
and within outside the cottage during each and
night OF the meeting
H. t ~ t ,, w." ,, e W ma ~" , g
purpose will be used within the said cottage or tent
than that furnished by the association.
"i''i nNP' =" '"'''ri''N.
place outside Of The coag. or tent by me owner OF
me, , W sre ,e ,p. e"ca o"m.p, " ~ s' " ~ "
No cottage or tent snail he LEI To- any person for occupancy
unless person shall bring
mendaon signed by three official members OF the Methodist
episcopal church nearest The place where he resides or r-
nsn 10 W. r'n ne, m ~ :" nu re- sa ~,
| SANE ~ ~ " " " ' " '' Wv
No occupant OF n cottage or tent shal keep upon the
premises the association any dog during the contn
uance of the lease
This grove Is not new 10 these great gatherings al
religions people and the seekers after healthful AMI
harmless recreation, on the 2Ith day oi August,
1885, there was u camp meeting here and similar
| unions have been held every wear since eXcepting
lsl5 when 10 held at WestpOrt, nine miles from
New Bedford. The first circle comprised only nine
| the district Rev. Thompson &. Pcarcc took charge
! and conducted the first public exercise. In 1888
| the meeting for the first time held over the
sabbath. In 1879 the number Of tents increased to
l Jle NJ nrp her. i'm pcs