The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-13
SEA CLIFF GROVE CAMP MEETING.
A Strange Mingling Of Business
with Religion.
The Grounds Used for Speculative Purposes
and a Steamboat Opposition.
LIFE IN THE CAMP.
Miserable Hotel Accommoda tions-H How
Services Are Conducted.

The Union Camp Meeting which has been open at
Sea Cliff Grove since the 9th Of the present month
will close tomorrow. The meeting has not been
by any means such success as 1t was expected
1t would be, although 1t has the advantages OF
a beautiful situation and q close proximity to
the city. The attendance has not been so large as
&c was last year, the zeal has not been so intense,
the converts not 80 numerOus-ln fact, the entire
proceedings have been characterized by a cold and
busness-ike aspect which Is not at all consistent
with the ideas one forms of Methodist camp meet
tngs
The camp meeting or the present day Is not at
all like what the same thing was twenty years
ago. In the last generation the Methodists seemed
to be inspired with more noisy zeal and exuberant
enthusiasm than their descendants now are. The
camp meeting was the great event OF the year.
Reckonings were made beforehand OF the number
of souls who would be plucked as brands from the
burning and experienced judges, from the size OF the
congregations, in the Vicinity Of the camp ground
could generally form pretty shrewd guess Of the
number who would return to their homes no bet
ter than when they had left In those days there
were
NO SPACIOUS AMPHTHEATRES
for worship, no cosey cottages or snug villas for
residences. no c0mmingling OF pleasure and busl-
ness with religion-all was seemingly pure and I'M
alleged. The services were held with no covering
but the blue vault OF heaven the temporary homes
OF the wOrshlppers were canvas tents; the air re-
sounded with the loud hallelujahs OF the saints
and the fervent amens of the blessed sinners
were converted whether they would or no private
speculation was unknown and II in the services
there was much that was grotesque and ludcrous
1t was far more preferable than the institution
that has succeeded 1t.
If Sea Cliff Grove be specimen of the camp
meeting Of the present day, it is said to be- the
spectacle 1t presents Is not at all ediiying to the
irreligious world Ostensibly started place for
Summer wOrshippers, where the advantages OF q
beautiful situation aud sea bathing could be COM
bined 1t has gradually departed from Its first prin
cples until It Is now run more for purposes OF bust
ness than religion. ''GOd is great, and MOhammed
is his prophet" 'Sea Cir Grove Is delightful lots
will be sold cheap, and God can be worshipped."
principle on which the grove Is worked, and 1t IS
not at all astonishing that the project is beginning
DO e o. to Tine ING
grounds Is beginning to debar all but those who
are wealthy from sojourn, and the probability is
ing place for the holy ana the lOwly will have be-
come fashionable watering place.
THE SITUATION OF THE GROVE
Is pre-eminently attractive. The view from the
Of the Sound are visible for mics, like sea Of
innumerabe craft OF all sizes. On the opposite
side New Rochelle, where Paine lies buried, meets
terror Of the grove itself is all that could be de-
sired. 1t is thckly wooded and abOunds in wind
ing walks and deep rayines, with an open space in
rooms have been erected. every prospect
pleases," and were 1t not that Specuatons un-
calmly form hast made itself so amentably con-
spcuOus 1t might easily become the fav0rite Sum-
mer retreat OF Methodists. 1t should not for mo-
ment be understood that the motives OF the pro.
jectors consist entirely of business; there Is much
good intended, and doubtless much good done, but
the trail OF the serpent in the shape OF improve
meut companies, steamboat companies and other
associations cannot possibly be overlooked.
Among the families resident upon the grounds
difficulty in procuring supplies. According to a
rule made by the Association company called the
Long Island Improvement Company, consisting
OF members who were projectors OF the Grove,
have the sole privilege OF keeping store upon the
lands. Taking advantage OF this privilege,
monopoly has been established, and eXorbitant
prices are charged for articles of food. Dealers
from Glen Cove who want to sell goods upon the
ground are compelled to pay large percentage
Tor the privilege OF doing so, and as consequence
OF this, several grocers, butchers ana bakers have
been arrested while endeavoring to run the block.
By what right these arrests are made it
Sya have sa ea ae atensn Of
appealing to law for the protection OF their rights
Some OF the people who have been here for several
evening that they considered the action OF the
Long Island Improvement Company altogether un.
@ aS sna o s em 1 tsg R%ea Se rs sn@ 10
buy their provisions wherever they could get them
cheapest ana best Scarcely day eapse ss without
several OF the latter being on the ground.
STEAMBOAT JOB.
When the camp meeting vas IN progress
grounds, the Seawanhaka and the Atr0wsmith
me trustees OF the grounds thought 10 would
n IN N Cit
In an hour and half without making any stop
pages I've owners OF the Seawanhaka leased the
on the express condition that she should not
touch at Glen Cove, or interfere with the business
OF the Seawanhaka The Arrowsmith was no
contract was broken. A fierce opposition was
organized, the price of fare on the Arrowsmith
was lowered, and she put into Glen Cove
the other boat did. As eA" conseque ss
OF this Fs, 9a confusion has been
between the two boats, and it will be fortunate If
an accident does not soon occur from this cause.
is at variance with the conduct OF processing
Christians in this state Of affairs. But 1t Is time
now that should speak about the services and
lie upon the grounds
IN THE CAMP.
On landing from the boat you can either take
road which leads direct 10 the tabernacle or ascend
flight of winding steps, as straight and almost as
steep as Jacobs ladder. When you get to the top
the blue smoke, which you perceive wreathing
encampInent. The tents are remarkably neat, and,
as general rule so are the people who inhabt
them. On the water front cottages are thickly
strewed, and you are soon aware that you have met
with something far different from mere camp
meeting ground; When you walk on little further
the tabernacle looms In view, looking like a huge
circus tent. ON the south side the hotel has been
erected. and thither bent my steps. 1t is called
the Sea Clifr Grove, and is a long, struggling,
brown building The odor OF sanctlty can
be discovered on coming near, and the
noseless and subdued steps of the attendants
the lack OF barroom and the total absence OF
noise and hustle OF any kind convince you that
you are at no ordinary inn. On entering rather
neat looking oflice meets you at one side, In the
centre OF which is desk. at which q man OF meek
and holy aspect sits writing. This is the clerk,
but he has little OF the typical clerk about him. He
Is very civil, very attentive, and treats all guests
as II they were part OF the same household OF fath
He told me that single rooms were seventy five
cents night, and double rooms, one dollar and
nifty cents, and that could get my meals on the
European plan. Having heard OF the privations
OF the single rooms, | determined to try one and
find whether the stories told me about them were
pima I