The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-07
RELIGION AND SURF BATHING.
Praying end Fishing-A Camp Meeting by the
ssa-Psalm Singing and Boating.

OCEAN GROVE CAMP MEETING, August s, 1870.
During the past week the Inhabitants OF Ocean
township and adjoining towns, In Monmouth coun-
~, have been unduly excited by the presence of a
camp meeting on the beach. The excitement has
been largely shared In by the frequenters OF Long
Branch, which IL only six miles distant They find
1t pleasant contrast to the driving music dan.
cling and dressing routine Of the avorlte watering
place.
Here. under tho open heavens ana close by the
roaring SURF are daily gathered thousands of devo-
tees or vlsit0rs oil botn sexes and all ages. The
MUSIC OF THE VOICES
In the camp is answered by the music orthe sea- and
the deep applications OF the earnest prayer leaders
are echoed by the sighing OF the wind through the
pines.
The Ocean Grove camp meeting Is not mere tenn +.
porary affair. Some 200 acres OF land along the
beach and extending back several hundred yards
are owned by the Camp Meeting Association, which
Is incorporated and embraces OF the best names
In tho Methodist Episcopal Church In New York and
many otner OF large Eastern cities. The Prest.
dent OF the association is tSs Rev. E. H. Stokes of
Red Bank, N. ]. The other officers are Rev. X. v.
Lawrence, Vice President, Trenton. N. j.; d. H.
Brown, Treasurer Brooklyn, N. y; Rev. G. Hughes,
Secretary, CamdeR N. j., and Rev. w. b. Osborn.
Shark River, NJ.
THE OBJECTS OF THE ASSOCIATION
are TO hold camp meetings. OF an elevated character
and to furnish to Christian families seaside resort
free from the deeterious influences OF fashionable
watering places.
The grounds arc accessible by two trains daily
from both New York ana Philadelphia. They are
laid out with TASTE with broad avenues and most OF
the Intervening space is covered with dense growth
OF oak and pine.
The encampment is located 500 yards from the sea-
In shady grove. The grounds have the sea on the
east Fletcher Lake Oh the south, Wesley Lake on
the north and the Long Branch turnpike on the
west and are elegantly laid out In lots thirty BY sixty
feet with sufficient space reserved Cor two or three
parks The avenues run both parallel and at right
angles with the beach. They are lined with tents
and cottages, now numbering about 800. The pulpit
an ornamental and tasteful piece OF woodwork ia
located In the centre OF an open square. which is sur
rounded by tents. In all there are 1872 lots in the
tract, about 300 Of which have been taken up. No
person Is allowed TO purchase more than two lots
THE PRESENT ANNUAL MEETING
Is expected to close on Friday, 9th lns but large
number OF the families who have located here viii
not leave until september or OCTOBER.
The most stringent rules are in force in the en-.
campment Wilhin the high picket fence which en-.
During public worship al within the enclosure Of
tents must be seated and walking or taking
standing on the seats or tobacco smoking permitted.
Bathlng anu boating are not allowed during the
time OF public worship. At ten p NJ. all persons
not having accommodations on the ground must
I'VE A. NJ. ON Sunday the gates are not opened ut
ALL several large boarding tents provided with
dinner, seventy-lve cents or 81 rs per day Tor two
Gays or upwards There Is store. q post Office and
book s store branch o. the Philadelphia Metho.
Dust Book Roons-lor the accommodation OF
or the company, ali OF which are frequently visited
not only by purchasers and letter writers OF readers
but by the g0sslpers, who come to hear the
LATEST NEWS FROM CAMP
and out OF It, DIVINE services are held at the stand
aud napast seven praVer pass TWO
tho altar before the stand follow the regular
lion Ii Tree TO Indulge IN promenading and social
converse, within or without their tents fishing or
boating on the lakes; 0r, best or ALL bathing III the
surf. At the evening service the encampment pre-.
sents brilliant appearance The large platform be-
or more, Is studded With lights a With priiiiant
redectors and IN the circle the tents each
shed bright rays from hundreds OF lamps
inc intervening seats are well filled with q
dense mass OF humanity apparently moved with only
one leeng or impulse ~, indicated By their prayer
l, attitudes theT singn. ana their rising In con-
During the week already consumed the following
gentlemen have taken part in
CONDUCTING TIE MEETINGS.
Rev. Or. McDonald late of Boston; Rev. NJ Adams.
DR.. Kynett, OF Philadelphia; Rev. Or. Hanon, of
bennington Seminary, \. j.. Rev. M. Harranlt, OF
New Brunswick, N. D.; Rev. DR.. Pearne, OF Trenton,
N. j.; Rev. MIR. Browning, Of the New York Confer
ence; Rev. Mr.. Goodman, OF Wilmington, DEL; Rev.
j.; lansing Taylor, OF Brooklyn; Rev. VIM. H. Brle,
OF New YORK; Rev. George Ii. Hughes, OF Camden,
N j.; Revs. John and William Stockton, of the New
Jersey Conferences hey. Mr.. Lewis OF Charleston. s.
c.. Rev. DR.. MLtlack, OF New Orleans, and others.
There have been also present large representa-
ton OF distinguished laymen from all parts OF the
country Two Oh the most Interesting meetings held
took place just before shutdown right upon the beach,
within few feet OF the surf. The sea was quiet
there were no breakers only long, silent roll the
waves. The setting sun rom the back OF the camp
cast his slanling rays far the to the horizon
VIII CHI every moment became narrower. These meet
1ngs were Iuliy attended, and were marked with q
deep rehgiOus feeling by all who participated. The
speakers addressed their auditors from under tenn
porary bower OF pine branches.
The visitors do not interfere with the
CONVENIENCE OR COMFORT OF TIE COMPANY,
although there has been large attendance
averaging a thousand a day Perhaps this is partly
owing to The presence OF an ample police force
Is always on duty and more watchful Of the persons
and pr0pe ty OF The campers out Ihan our blue coated
guards In New York. An old law OF the State pro-
vldes that 1t s!al not be lawful for any person to
sell, dispose or give away any spirituous or fer
mened liquors within three miles OF place OF
lgiOus worship in this state during the time Of hold
ing any religious worship at such place.
This is quoted and pr ted among
THE RULES THE COMPANY:
out 1t Is notorious that within mile two OF this
encampment liquor ~ SOLD not given away IN sew
eral'"milis' established for that purpose. 1t has
been suspected That some of the transient dodgers
have brought liquors with them; but thus far none
have been detected In tie act OF dsposing OF any,
either by gilt sale.
- Among the persons who have located here are
Chauncey sha1er CT New York; Mr.. LozIer, a Iner-
chant OF New York; Governor Riddle, OF Delaware,
ana an. Mr. Price, OF philadelphia. Some OF the
.,Branchers' told your correspondent to-day that
they would like To come down here
IN PREFERENCE TO THE BRANCH,
pmt tat they thought the almost too strict
the bathing was as good II not better but deemed
the compensating dis advantages too serious to
The camp meeting folks all labor under tho same
nailucinatlon or GIT OF prophecy which every land.
holder n tho state Of New Jersey Is possessed
land next year. II the Long Branch road should he
extended To Ocean Grove, camp meeting stock or
isad viii go up.