New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-07-29
METHODIST UNITY.
FRArERNk1, GREETINGS ATT SEA CLIFF.

TIE RECEPTION TO REPRBsbNlhiiFho 'n i"H
SOUTHERN CHURcH-sERMoNs by THE REV. DR.
BorToME. BISHOP JONES, AND TIIE REV itIiOY
NJ. LEE.
[FRoM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRBUSE'l
SEA CLIFF, July 23.-The objects OF the
camp meeting which has been begun to-day at this
welknown place OF tent worship include one which "a
distinct those OF the previous religious encamp
ments which have been held here tits intended TO sup
pement aud extend the fraternal work OF the Round
Lake gathering by manfestng and giving new i'm
pulse to the spirit OF harmony which has sprung up
between tho Northern and Southern branches
OF the Methodist Episcopal Church. Prominent
representatives OF the Southern Church have
been especially invited to be present. and they
will take a leading part the work OF the
meeting. Bishop Kavanaugh of Kentucky Bishop Dog
gett of Richmond and the Rev. Drs Sargent, Lee and
Poisal, who conspicuous in labor and diligence al
Round Lake. aud who the leading members OF the
Southern Church present the honored guests OF the
Sea Cliff Association, aud will preach, exhort and pray
frequently in the meetings the next ten days There
will be here with them several OF the bishops and best
known cergymen OF the Northern branch OF the Metho
dist Episcopal Church Bishop James OF New-fork Is
now here, and other bishops will arrive soon.
The number OF lay wOrshipers at the opening Of the
meeting not very large but Is expected that 1t Will
DO sweled to thousands next week. Sea Cn has pecu
liar attractions for religious encampments Easily
Sound, it ors refreshing air inviting scenery, and
comforts and conveniences which many pretentious
side resorts do possess The salt breezes the water
views the bathing, boating, and fishing are excellent
enough 20 bring not few persons here who spend the
whole Summer either In pretty cottages or IN the fresh
and wekept hotel built by the Association. The Asso-
citation grounds about 90 and the purchases
OF its members extend outside OF the Association limits
almost 10 Glenwood The Association has managed its
with dead NJ
neary2OOO on Cliff since the start though the first
campmeetng held only two years ago. Tue TIber-
nacle where tho meetings are held ia an ambitious
wooden structure crowned by tall dome. and having
open sides Awnings extend from IT, and seats for 1000
persons sheltered b. the structure and Its attach
ments and all such discemforts as were felt during
The hoavy rains at Round Lake are made impossible
Upon the Tabernacle 3,OO0 spent besides out
lay OF $1,000 upon seats. The hotel cost $4,000 and
the grounds there about 70 private cottages beside
the numerous buildings belonging to the Association.
Several of pretty and few OF them are costly
L. H. Battersha Of New York has built one since last
year. which cost $4,000 very handsome one has been
put up by j. W. Howe Of NewYork and j. L. Lawrence
OF Brooklyn. James Hutchinson of Ncw-York Mr.. Hen
erickson of Roslyn and the Rev. j. s. 1nskp OF the
National Camp-meeting Association. are owners of new
and neat villas There very modest little
houses tho grounds, which did not cost moro than
5000 s7O0 The land kept in good order aud Is well
laid out There is scarcity Of shade upon the greater
part of It, and the thing lacking at Sea Cliff to make
IL the finest Of campmeetng resorts Is stately grove
of well grown trees. OF young trees there con.
siderable thckets, and ali through the grounds
there is promise of abundance of shade in the future
Tho Association has made many improvements since
last wear and has laid good deal OF money upon
new roads. In the FAN it IL intended to begin new
shore road TO make fine drive along the front OF the
grounds and to extend about four miles new railway
sationhouse at distance OF less than mile from the
encampment is to DO built the Association having Sc
cured the land and it is probable that by another season
a large and swift new steamer will be r"u between New
York and Sea Cliff by the Association. The boat which
now serves as the principal OF transit from New
York brought down good burden or passengers thls
morning who camp-meeting thoughts intent.
THE OPENING EXERCISES.
At the opening services. which held in the Taber
nacle at IL a. H., the Row. Dr. f. Boitome OF ScwYork
preached from nineteenth Of the hf:y-nnth
chapter of Isaiah: when tho shall come in like
a spirit eff the Lord shall lift up standard
against him." History no said, like the ocean, has It's
tidal Influences marked by action and reaction, and
success and defeat follow each other In the annals OF
the Church. The Prophet Isaiah suggests time when
the enemy shall come in like Hood and when truth
shall be besieged the right hand and the left
do not say that tle times IN which live worse
than the former times don't believe that the Church
is less powerful to-day than II has been Yet the times
are fearful Tho moral forces OF the world are met IN
conflict and the moral world Is full Of agitation The
foundations Of things sought to be laid bare unto
human gaze, and men not satisfied with the doc
trines of their fathers 1t is age OF freethinkng.
and while 1t is not a period OF bold nfdey OF abso-
Int irregon 1t Is a period religious sentmentality
more dangerous 10 truth than rregion itself refined
sentimental Chrstless system has invaded the pulpit
Hence places the culture OF aesthetics Is put be-
fore the culture Of the heart and magnificent churches
and FORMS and impressive rituals and other matters
which minister side OF life too much
considered. Truth loses Its hold the common
science Men longer respect the teachings OF religion
and the house OF God former times AS the fruit OF
all this there occur carnivas OF crime; legislators
are corrupted our Sabbaths Decorated while exrava-
gance aud worldness prevail, and in the midst OF all
stands a pOwerless pulpit among goddess and I'M
reached population Except for few who attract either
by sensaonasm the force OF true genius preachers
in general gain but q mere handful Of listeners TO the
Word Of God. The gravest and most nexpicable ques
tion Of the day In the Church OF Jesus Christ how
reach the unsayed masses the great centers OF pOpu
atiOn.
Our help is only in God Vain is the help OF man. Ed
ucation ana reform may do something, but they are
nearly poweress the face Of these great evils In
efforts 10 influence TO the truth In Christ Jesus We
have to cope with organized intelligence such as tho
world never saw before 1t is to look higher
means than the spread Of intelligence. the advance of
culture Here comes the promise OF the text, The
spirit of the Lord shall lift up standard" The Holy
Spirit "when the enemy comes in like hood,' some
times comes in the visitation OF strange provdences
which seem to unhinge all society. confoundng the
schemes Of men and putting them to naught God often
makes sin It's own punishment hurting 1t back on itself
The Spirit will also raise breakwater for the church
against food OF opposition by sustaining the au-
thoy OF the Word of God aud by giving new power to
Old methods for bringing to the saving kno Wedge
of the truth In these times understand Gods Word
better than before The Old Testament is clearer
thanks to the controversies excited by Coenso and Oar
win. SO by the prayer test" we know more OF the