The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-24

Hesat Religious Demonstration-The Cottages
and Tents-0vsr Ten thousand Persons
Encampsd for the Coming Week
Extensive Preparations
NAsrurs VINEYARD. August %, 1870.

MATTHIAS VINEYARD, August o. 1870
Tne Rreat annual camp meeting so well known
throughout the New England States In connection
vvfrn Msrths's Vineyard, will commence this even.
Ing. From all appearances It will be the largest
ever held on the ground. At the present writing
khere b not vacant cottage within the ground,
ne tents are being erected in all directions in the
grove. Some represent churches in various districts
but the majority OF the cOttagers own their own
eesidences and como here to spend the summer
months There Is wooden boundary or partition
surrounding the camp ground and all within the pale
ere supposed to come more especially for the reii-
Rious services to be held curing the week. Beyond
ehe line OF demarcatop which separates religion
from so-called profanity constructed some de.
uigntful Villas, which form quite handsome summer
retreats In fact, Martha's Vineyard 3 fast turning
into good watering place, and there Is no reason
why 1t should not The camp meeting generally
winds up the season, and in day the dwellings are
4enantless. Owing to the numbers which attended
last year and the large patronage bestowed upon
the place, 1t has undergone considerable improve.
ment Over dfty new cottages have been built on
the camp meeting ground and near the blufYs, both
being distinct properties, belonging to different COR
porations. The price OF cottages ranges from Q few
hundred dollars up to three thousand and upward,
while the renting OF one Tor the season costs
about three hundred dollars Most of them are luxu
rously furnished and give evidences of great taste,
comfort and elegance.
Fifty carpenters were employed during the whole
winter making alterations and improvements, and.
in addition to the facilities introduced, the
government has established a post ONCE on
the ground The land has undoubtedly increased
in value; several new hotels have been built,
while a good, substantial wharf has been erected
about three-quarters OF mile from the one at Oak
Bluts. The leading men, under whose auspices the
camp meeting Is annually held have put wharf at
Holmes Hole harbor, and have extended 1t so that
che Portland and New York steamboats, could land
cheir passengers going and coming. 1t is said that
the association VIII extend the base OF their religious
operations as far as Holmes Hole. There is much
opposition between the Oak Bluffs Company and the
camp meeting association. The former are making
strenuous efforts to pOpuarize the locality but are
nevertheless, running up prices while the associa-
ton are anxious that summer residents should out
number the people within the pale OF their jurisdc-
LION IN any event, the place has made consider
AS already mentioned the camp ground is
thr0nged TO excess. During the entire Of yesterday
prayer meetings were held the Rev. DR.. Brown, the
president preaching the inauguration sermon.
immense congregation Is being worked up to that
state Of religious enthusiasm which generally marks
euch constructions. There now begin to appear
That characteristic long look and solemn aspect,
tnat quletness and meeKly bearing which ever dis
u heard. Laughter would be profanity. A
regular routine is gone through, day after day,
NutidttOu, duu Tie SrlCteSt rules III regard
TO temperance are rlgidly enforced Indeed, one
might De inclined to question the stubborn and un.
nncning manner In which some singular regula-
tlOns are carried out. There Is quite large number
pr co0red people IN the camp who also participate
IN the services. Some OF them perform domestic
labor for theiI white brethren, but the majority OF
them are on their religious dignity and have not by
any means small opinion OF themselves. Irreligious
people have IL that the whole camp meeting is got
ten up for speculative purposes, that not few
.aux on the strength OF the pous display. But
tnere are always persons ready to circulate such
rumors, regardless OF their foundation HOwbeit the
camp meeting Ct Marthas Vineyard Will this year
De the largest held Tor many years Ice cream Will
posted that vehicles containing pleasure parties win
bot be allowed on the grounds
The order or services will be the same every day
during the week. commencing each morning at eight
pollock witt prayer meeting Al noon there will
be another prayer meeting and sermon. one at four
and the last for the day at seven O'Clock. large
tent has been erected III the centre or the grounds
Tor the religious services, and is capable or accom-
modating 5000 persons. The first regular
meeting will be held this afternoon