New-York tribune., 1874-09-11
M1RTHA'S VITEYARD.

CLOSE OF THE CAMP NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF
THE NEIGHB0RING WATERING PLACES-oAK
BLUFFS KATAMA AND NONQUIT.
[FRoM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUSE.I
MARTHA's VINEYARD, Sept. 2.-Camp-meet-
ing has broken up and those who mDisered to It's In
uences valued its experiences who In the years
past sought here acompete isolation from the world
in simple tentfe beyond the limits OF the city, some
thing like that of the Israees OF od-to renew their
Christian fe have departed with final handshaktng
and god-speed. With them, tOo has gone that re-
srant that feeling which as in church keeps tongue
and hand quiet, which spread from the dig tent III
the center camp ground, even beyond the fence
which separates the gody from the proane and hushed
the and stopped the amusement for some distance
around This eBcroachment Of sghtseers and pleasure
seekers-not such as come and so away IN day, but
but such as really build themselves houses at the very
cate; who come for pleasure, and build seaslde
cottages or profit and open hotels and curiosity
shOps-has been topic OF much discussion among INC
spiritual leaders of the campmeeting for several years
past. 1t has been looked upon especially by some OF
the older persons, detractng very much from the
benefits TO be derived from the meeting, leading the
minds of the younger members from the one topic;
keeping them from services in short as an instance OF
the pertinaety evil works OF the arch-enemy 1t has
at all events whether good not rendered entirely
void the original object rather means to the object
that OF seclusion.
STRANGERS TO
OF late years-and this year the feeling is more
marked the leading have accepted virtue that
which has been forced upon Them Instead of culti-
waiting the odt almost seems selfish now-feellng OF
working for their own exclusive good, they have begun
TO understand this outdoor work as being bounded Dy
wider ne-the regeneration of their unbidden visitors
They say that among those who thus come to them are
many who would foot inside the church door
but who, attracted by the novelty and freshness Of
ata who
preachers inspired by the close contact of nature,
where they can listen to trembling grl, perhaps,
relate newborn experience, or TO the hardly audible
prayer OF some one unused such Efforts Then. too,
when at the intervals OF common worship the circle is
filed with the sound OF psam-singing from the sur
rounding church-tens mingled with lower though not
less earnest of prayer the effect is wondrous In
chasing away unruly feelings and softeDing the hearts
Of those who spectators only Many they claim
are brought through these influences into the fold who
could have been reached in other way 30 now they
welcome all OF any denomination or no denomination,
only asking that II they cannot join they at least will
not disturb the devoti0ns One thing is deplored that
is the dimnuon of the number OF churchtents, those
canvas houses where awhole ngregaon was gathered
year after year under roof joining together in
ship and where the continued living together during
the meeting encouraged all their professions. This
social clement which has been so powerful an agent
has been much destroyed by the scattering OF families
in cottages But 1t 10 regretted as necessary con-
sequence of the growth Of the meeting not Of the influx
Of outside people.
OAK BLUFFS AS A WATERING PLACE.
But now that csmp-meetiug has broken up and the
odor Of sancty drifted away the influence OF the
watering place which lives at its has gained the
asoendency. There is restriction now, except that
which comes from the stringent liquor law of Massa-
chusetts. and that Is not always observed Oak Bluffs
as the side watering place Is named. many capa
bilities for amusing those who make a'Sumner stay
here In the first place, there is watering place
which can boast of many cottages, Lliputan most
Of them in size. though some approach the cottages Of
Newport In elegance, but generally luxurianty fur
nished; some powered among trees remarkable more
for their number than hight and thus carrying out
resemblance to growing Lliput while others nearer
the bluff command a splendid view OF Vineyard Sound
and the dim shore OF Cape Cod with the nding
feet OF passing vessels 1t may be said that these
tages increase In size In accordance with the distance
from the camp ground fence About a dozen hotels Of
which the Sea View House stands out in bold relief
bey ond all the Others provide all needed
FOR transient visitors. and at no previous have
done as well during this Summer From the Sea
View House and surrounding 1t extends broad plank
promenade In each direction along the bluff which over
hangs the water This affords fund of pleasure for
here DOCK these dweers by the can watch
the incoming ana outgoing steamers. Further down
they gather noon and watch the bsthers always
more watchers an bathers being present though the
water Is always 1t is said and the Gulf Stream
IS dragged IN TO prove the assertion-and tho surf
always gentle Fishing good aud boats for that pur
pose and for pleasure sailing always at hand. 1t is
true that there is very little to show In the way OF
driving for cannot dig very deep the soil here
without reaching sand and the sand is always upper
most in the roads Music greets the arrival OF every
boat and concerts and balls given every even
ings at the Sea View The local and Boston and New
York papers are on hand every day. and more