The New York herald., 1870-08-30
MARTHAS VINEYARD CAMP MEETING.
Description Of q City by tho ses-The Favorite
Religious Summer Resort Of tho Yankees
Courting on tho 'Highlands'-A Great
Religious Festival-The Vineyard
to be Redeemed from Fashion and
the Devil by Methodist Work
ers-A Boston Merchant
Accidentally Poisoned.


as win be from facts about to be stated, hun
dreds OF the citizens OF Boston and New Bedford
have determined to make the vineyard" the habi-
tation OF their families during the summer months
where they hope TO have the benefit OF salt water
bathing, innocent amusement and refined social In
tercourse, free from the dlssipating and contami-
mating influences prevalent at the fashionable
watering places. Martha's Vineyard was dscov-
cred we are told by Gosnod in 1902 eighteen years
before the landing OF the Pilgrims. Its ma
tive inhabitants have almost entirely disappeared,
indian on the island, which is about twenty
miles long, with an average width OF nve miles, It
ts located the southern coast OF Massachusetts,,
and is lndented by bays and harbors, the two most
important OF which are Holiness Hole and Edgar
town. portion OF the island was purchased thirty
five years ago by the Methodsts for the purpose OF
holding camp meeting under the auspices OF the
New England Conferences, and for many years
week was spent In religious exercises, the attend
ants lodging in tents and contenting themselves
with the rude accommodations OF camp life The
place became gradually metamorphosed, 80 that the
unpretentious canvass huts were displaced by ele-
giant cottages OF various styles Of architecture, and
the ground has been laid out into streets and ave-
nues. During the last few years number Of wealthy
residents OF New York, Brooklyn and Boston have
modern improvements. Many of them are frescoed,
adorned with choice works of art and fitted up
with luxurious furniture and musical instruments OF
all kinds. Senator Spragues mansion" In the woods
cost several Thousand dollars. and there are others
equally expensive. There not less than eight or
nine hundred OF these summer houses the island,
costing from 5000 to $4,000, including all erected
within the grounds Of the Association, the "E1gh-
lands" and the "Blurs." year ago beautiful
grove, consisting OF seventy acres, known as the
"Highands," I" was purchased by the Vineyard Grove
Association, body OF men who are In sympathy
with the Camp Meeting Association This Is con.
nected with wesleyan Grove--the original camp
ground-bya spacious boarded promenade along
side Of Lake Anthony, at the extreme end OF which
is o new hotel and line wharf, where number OF
steamboats, and other craft arrive several times
daily from New Bedford and adjacent places, bring
ing thousands to the island. The "promenaden Is a
favorlte rendezvous OF the sons and daughters of
fashion, who congregate there in the evening" and
where The game Of ''buHing" their term for ilirt-
ing) is carried extensively. Another hotel
has been recently put up at soak Bluffs"
piece OF property purchased by an independent
association. At no remote period this land could
have been purchased for o mere song by the Camp
Meeting Association, who now their mistake and
apprehensive that that part Of the island Will be
given up to fashion ana the devil Indeed, the car
dina idea in the minds Of the conductors of the re
gious festival now In progress is for the Mehodsts
to put on the whole armor ana fight the devil on his
own ground, and they expect complete victory.
For weeks before the commencement Of the camp
meeting hundreds Of the owners of these enchanting
rural palaces come hither and spend the summer
months in fishing, sailing and the practice of inno-
cent outdoor amusements. Morning and evening
ay,toc fno
preaching Ia listened to the Sabbath an invita-
ton being extended to any orthodox cler-
gyman who may happen to be there.
Speaking OF amusemens reminds one OF
OF the crOquetsts on Monday by the officers OF the
association, who informed the young ladies and
some Of the professional gentlemen with white era
vats that the game must be stopped Much indigr
nation manifested at this peremptOry order, bat
the officers were inexorable, and the game was
summary stopped. Among the other rules govern
ing the ground Is that each owner of Il cottage Is
required to suspend lamp over the door at night
and to place bucket OF water near by. These lamps
together with the larger ones that are placed at con-
yenient distances IN the streets and avenues bril-
llantly illuminate the grove The other evening one
of the squares lit up with Chinese lanterns, which
produced picturesque effect. There are q number
OF stores and post office on the ground; and, in
short 1t may with truth be said OF this city by the
sea- '.Beautifu. for situation. the Joy Of the whole
earth is Mount Zion whittier the people Of God come
up for recreatlon refined social intercourse and re
gious worship. Anumber OF distinguished Methodist
dIvincs are spending their vacation; here among
them Rev. Drs. Payne, Tiffany, Lindsay, Whedon
and others. The Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting
Association is composed OF the pastor in charge or
each Methodist Episcopal society represented, the
presiding elders OF the districts and lay member
from each Of the societies within those bounds.
The financial report of the association shows the
receipts Of the year to have been $500 &c. received
$6,s27 As. The presiding Oflicer OF the meeting is
the Rev. DR.. 3. q. Brown who appears to be an ln-
tegent and Courteous gentleman. mar, 10 Ine PARK IN IN
abundantly shaded by trees and also by an immense
canvass canopy, which protects the audience
from ,he sun and rain. The Tabernacle" as IL is
called is furnished with comfortable seats, and is
capable OF accommodating ten thousand people.
The '.socety tentsn surround it, and when there is
hold social religious meetings under the leadership
OF the pastor Of the church with which they are
connected. This is distinguishing feature OF the
New England camp meetings, and enables each
particular church to concentrate their Efforts IN
promoting their religious growth. Meetings spe-
cialy designed Tor Ministers for mothers for cfl-
dren and Tor seamen are held at intervals; and the
leaders OF Israels hosts as mas been heretofore OBJ
served, pushing the battle TO the gales OF the
enemy. Thus far the meetings have been charac-
terzed by unusual fervor Tor this proverbiay frlgo
region, and number nave prolessed conversion.
Ihe religious festival was opened on Monday
night In the Tabernacle and after Introductory re-
lgious services, brief and appropriate addresses
were delivered by Drs Brown, Upham, Whedon,
Bates and others, all OF whom dwelt upon the i'm
portance OF putting forth strenuous efforts to re-
deem the vineyard from fashion and the power OF
the devil.
The first sermon was delivered on Tuesday morn
ing by Rev. q. Fl. Titus He selected Tor his theme
the touching OF the hem or the Savf0ur'S garment
by the afflicted woman, which he treated IN an IN
teresting and instructive manner. The Rev. Mr..
Sheffield preached In the afternoon upon "the full
ness OF GOd" and the evening discourse by the Rev.
j. W. Willett was about God tearing the wicked to
pieces He spoke in no honied terms about lcen-
tiOusness, lotteries, profanity, organized stealing,
ana whole catalogue Of sins which he laid at The
| door Of the people Ut large.
morning. discourse by the Rev. Frederick Up
| ham, OF Fair Haven, who, at the request
! of number Of ministers, repeated his semi.
| centennial sermon delivered before the Confer
| ence, of which he Is member. The venerable gen.
tleman, although over seventy years Old exhibited
no indications either IN appearance or voice OF fail
ing strength, and bids fair to outlve the eccentric
Dr. Peter Cartwright. The latter Is properly consld-
cred the oldest and most effective apostle OF Metho-
dism in the West while DR.. Upham susains the same
| relation TO that denomination IN the New England
States The discourse was written, and replete