New-York tribune., 1870-08-04
CAMP-MEETINGS.
OCEAN GROVE.
A NEW SEASIDE RESORT FOR MErHODIsTs-MA-
TERIAL ASPECTs-REIIGIOUs SERVICES, ETC.

TERIAL AsPECTs-REIIGI0Us SERVICES, ETC.
Instead of declining in interest and power
with advancing culture of the church the Mehodst
camp-meetng has, during few years past, taken
somewhat modified FORM and obtained new impetus III
its life and vgor. The idea Of physical ana SOCIAL I'M
provement has been added to the former exclusively
spiritual design and thus while the intensity of single
idea has perhaps been somewhat abaed, broader ana
more complete one has been realized. This more com
pex character OF the modern camp meeting brings with
IL requirements. The location OF the meetings must
present facilities for physical religion speak the
relaxation and recuperaon Of the body and with this OF
the mind Then the longer residence desired for such
objects makes permanent and better protect
ing dwelling than the tent necessary namely, the cot
tage But this In turn demands land tenure and hence
the modern camp-meetng village, by hillside lake
side 0 seaside, has sprung up.
The MethOdsts OF New-England have long enjoyed
their famous and fascinating Martha's Vineyard" and
their NewYork contemporaries have been behind them in
this respect The famous Sing Sing meeting lacks both
the and the attractions for such for which In
fact it properly designed, and no other camp
meeting the metropolis Is better of in this respect
Yet the need of such ground Marthas Vineyard has
long expressed and various efforts have been made
one; ALL however, without success until this
year. About year ago an enterprsing New'Jersey
and others considering the great adyan
bathing enjoyed at Long Branch behougbt
them OF the desirabeness OF similar resort on far
cheaper SCALE and under wholesome moral regulations,
as campmeetng and seaside resort for the Methodiss
Of New York Philadelphia and the Middle states region
generally Here 40 miles of coast, from Sandy Hook
to Barnegat Bay, all fine nearly that OF Long
Branch. The coast was explored the spot was hxed
upon and the enterprise commenced a grand scale.
The result is this skeleton fast taking form and fulness
a. physical and spiritual verify.
The location is certainly of manifold advantages.
Geographically, the plot Is situated in Ocean Township,
Monmouth County, " J six miles south Of Long Branch,
on shore The nearest railroad depot az pres
lines and by for Philadelphia and the South The
favOrite line from New-York il by steamer to Sandy
Hook and thence to Long Branch by railroad whichex-
tends directly along the Deacl, most OF the way
on the narrow strip OF sand between shrewsbury
River and the Ocea No more delightful bit OF san OF
rail found in the country At Long Branch com
Portable carriages convey passengers directly a3ng the
and cottages, that OF President Grant included;
through its whole length, and thence onward
and growing forest which leads TO the village OF shark
River The and- of the Ocean Grove Camp-lneetng As
socation extend from tins road 20 the ocean IRON te
broad gates the road their " Main Avenue" nan
mile long, directly To the SURF through the center9I
long their domain is bounded on the north and south
by two freshwater ponds or akes eAtehdng iro tne
turnpike to the beach The grounds are thns iheosSs ISL
BILE, except from the west, which Is guarded by high
rounding country is unsettled ana covered Dy growing
forest Of the character that within the lnclo5e
IT consists OF mixture OF yeow pine r anu rD ,j oH,
with some hickory ana othr species. ipe Plot Sotlh
acres than half OF 1t grove the rest the broad
and the true strand, the whole nearly regular Slope
the road to the water. The whole area Is aid out
by avenues and streets The parallel to the
shore mostly named for States, from noble
10 little Delaware. The streets perpendicular 70 tne
shore are named for the mountains mentioned In the
Bible, and for eminent names ON the dead roll OF Ae
can MethOdsm. The most charming spot on the ground
l. devoted To Thomson Park and the inclosng lakes shut
the whole with the names OF wesley ON the NORTH anu
is felicous Everything is scale Of ample breadth
especially the public grounds ana specs Inc % iGe r
The streets ard avenues will soon be graded and gray
eled already in operation some fine cottages
built, and others are under contract and nothing
seems to have been omitted in the line OF public i'm,
provement which time has permitted The arteSian
wells with good pumps scattered over the gT9uhas are
young now and not long ago jungle, is thrifty, well
trimmed, and promising. The arrangements for re-
gious services are excellent and the seats
date several thousands The preaching stand, rregu
lar hexagon. beautifully painted and surmounted by
ornament TO the grounds The boarding tents well
conducted and patronized, and the terms moder.
cents per night to those without tents. The
fresh bathing for those who prefer it, The lots
SOxIOO IT, sold lease for 20 years, subject to
wholesome rules, and tax OF seven per cent per annum
the purchase price for public improvements No one
person can hold more than two lots several hundred
creasing The accessibility and local advantages of such
resort, coupled with its social and religious aspects,
will make IL welcome refuge from the heats and cares
OF the great cities each side OF IT, Next year 1t Is
pected that tho Shore Line Railroad will pass the gates
Of the ground.
The religious services OF this meeting are under the d
ton Of the Rev F. III. stokes. Presiding Elder OF New
Brunswick District New Jersey Conference. The preach
ing commenced in advance of the camp meeting with
sermon sunday the 2lst by the Rev. T.Ward Lewis,
A. NJ, OF Charleston s. C. The meeting proper opened
on the evening OF Tuesday 26th The preaching dur
ing the week was Wednesday by the Rev. Messrs. L.
C. Matack OF New-Orleans, - Fitch OF Troy Confer
ence, and = Thomas of the same on Thursday, b NJ.
Adams of Williamsburgh, = Mcbride OF Newark and
Mcdonald Of Brooklyn. r. v Lawrence OF Trenton and
VIM. Stockton Of New'Jersey Conference satur-
Seminary, n. j.; c. X. Hartraufft, New-Brunswck
and John Pegg jr, of Meriden, Conn. The sunday
mons by the Rev. Messrs. ID. W. Barne d. d., OF
Jersey City, in the morning VIM II. Pearne OF Trenton
a O'Clock and the Rev. Geo. Lansing Taylor OF
Wiliamsburgh in the evening After the evening sermon
from 10. O'Clock, what the people call genuine old
fashioned campmeeting prayer meeting went forward
with much noise and confusion, but apparently good
suits Three distinct groups were conducting as many
meetings at the but the brethren
ported several conversions and sanctihatons" Of be-
ieyers, and finally the meeting adjourned TO the
tents.