New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-13
SACRED IND SECULAR.

We suppose that there can be no marin III
wondering what the great and good Mr.. John
Wesley, could he have seen it with prophetic
eyes, would have thought of the Martha's Vlne-
yard (Mass) Campaigning. 1t must be ad-
mitted that the Methodists first discovered the
charming Oak Bluffs, and first took possession
of this cool place for their fervent exercises
but the frisky world has followed fast upon
their sedater heels, and has refused 10 aiiow
them any monopoly of the shore scenery ana
the invigoratng ocean gales. When, thlry
Years ago, the good people held their first heid
meeting at the Vineyard, one tent under
one tree accommodated the pious and the
still unregenerate Around were the naked
meadows Drowned by the sun and the
solt sea breezes. above was the Heaven
which in their own way those gathered TO-
gether were seeking, while before them was
a suggestion at least of the great ocean
which symbols eternity. Naturally this
fine locality. became popular with the New
England Methodists and those OF them VINO
could afford 1t, and who did not relish the
tabernacular style of accommodation, began
to build cottages for Summer residences.
Then the yachtmen and the piscatory enthusi-
asts became acquainted with the cOnveniences
of the Vineyard. The throng of pleasure seek
ers steadily set in that direction and Saratoga,
with salt water instead of fresh, suddenly
elbowed the seclusiOn of the faithful. They
held their ground nobly. They sold lots at
good prices to the sinners, but they kept
sacred center for themselves. The worlds
people might dance and sing, play billiards
and race horses, and in all other doubtful
ways refresh themselves; but if they wanted
religion they knew where to come for it. If
they became weary of their thin social frivol
ties. there were substantial and eternal cOnsO-
latons at hand. 1t was but step from the
gilded saloons of the wicked TO the
tents of the righteous. Those who were
sick of italian melodies might listen to the
sweet voices of the sisters chanting so! that
"will be joyful ~ while those who were rem
dered desperate by losing their money on
horse-races could, at moments notice. be
taught that the race is not to the swift nor
the battle to the strong. Those whose hearts
were torn by the anguish of unrequlted
affection had an opportunity of learning of
better love, eternal and passing comprehen-
sion. And must we speak of other adj
vantages? Is it necessary to say that even
within the sacred precincts there might, now
and then, be suspicion of an unmistakable
Irritation Even regenerate hearts, two of
them, may beat as one. From the earliest
camp-meetings, in the sternest days of
primitive Methodism, there is reason to
believe that Cupid was not always
banished. Even the annual Newport gath
ering of the people called Quakers,"
it is well known to the society, has had a
wel-marked hymeneal tendency-and why not,
if the popular belief in the celestial origin OF
matches be true2 The camp-meeting affords
an undeniable and excellent opportunity for
the study of female character; and if John
Wesley, good man, had found his Mrs. Wes-
ley in such congregation, who knows but
she might have proved to him blessing in
stead of a calamityP
As one reads of the brave dOings aud the
religious festivities of the Vineyard, it is not
strange that the mind should wander back to
those early days of English Methodism, when
sweet Charles Wesley rode with his saddle
bags over the highways and through the by
ways of England, composing and chanting to
cheer his travel immortal hymns which ere
now sung by every Protestant congregation,
and which literary criticism has acknowledged
to be-next to those of Watts-the finest relig-
ious lyrics in the English language. One thinks
too of the greater brother, John, preaching, at
the risk sometimes of his life. to drunken
GOLFERS and to ignorant peasants, melted TO
disturb and possibly to assault him, by the
misunderstanding curate of the parish. One
thinks of that little forlorn hope, the two de-
voted men sent by Wesley to America; of
the infant church in our own John-st.; of the
first rare conversions, and Of the great things
which have come of such small beginnings.
Methodism, like Puritanism and Quakerism,
was poor, and 1t has become rich; was weak,
and it has become strong; was but handful,
and it now covers q continent. 1t has had
the usual fortune of prosperous religious
bodies. 1t has floated somewhat away from
the hard ascetcism of its original, and ceased
to produce martyrs-partly, perhaps, because
martyrdom is no longer necessary. But
Methodism is still great religious power, if
only by reason of its fascinating traditions,
its methods congenial to the popular taste,
and its thorough church discipline, the master
work of its great founder. In its appeals to
the rude, the poor, the iliterate, the cultivated,
rich and somewhat scholarly it has be-
come, it il still an enormous force, potent for
good continually, though it may be only par
TALLY true to its lofty professions. .