The New York herald., 1874-08-16
Opening of the Annual Worship
at Ocean Grove.
HINCOTE AGUE
Religious Revival in an Island
Morally Benighted.
Methodist Episcopal Demonstra-
tious in Maine.
OCEAN GROVE.

OCEAN GROVE, August H. 1874.
The skies we're heavily overcast this morning,
. strong gale was blowing from the northeast wish
every indication that before might, q reg,a IT old
fashioned roaring n0r'easter OF two or three days
duration would set in, lining the seacoast with
wrecks, driving sojourners IN the country back to
their city homes by thousands ana carrying dis
may and encouragement even into the Methodist
camp meetings from Maine to Georgia Neverthe-
less, In coming down here from Long Branch, after
an early breakfast, we found the road, for the
whole distance OF seven miles from the railway
station, lined with stages and carriages bound for
or coming from Ocean Grove, and on reaching
these combined Methodist summer settlements Of
Ocean Grove and Asbury Park We were ushered
into scene of busy life and religious activity
which instantly dispened all thoughts OF the
weather.
We have heretofore described to the HERALD
readers how, almost as by the tabled power OF the
magician, these two pretty summer settlements
have sprung up among the sand hills, jungle,
swamps and agoons Of the Jersey seahoard; how
In these recently dismal thckets two hourshing
villages Of handsome cottages have arisen almost
as the growth OF q single night; how a dark and
forblddng lagoon has been transformed into
beautifui lake. covered with pleasure boats, ana
how, on every side, the hammer Of the builder Is
heard
From morn till noon from noon to dewy eve;
how, In short, the desert and the solitary place"
have here been made glad. and how that which
was wilderness now blossoms like the rose But
coming in by Wesley Lake this morning, notwith.
standing the high and chilly wind and the dark
and threatening skies, the scene was
markaby impressive. The lake was unusually gay
with pleasure boats, mostly occupied by young
GIRLS and on both shores Of the lake numerous
groups Of men, women and children filled up the
picture, while from the surrounding woods and
from different points came the sound OF the ham
mer the chorus Of some singing party, and from
beyond them all came the swelling roar OF the
mighty sea. Passing through the gate OF Ocean
Grove and reconnoirring the village We found it
q populous hive. Every cottage appeared to be
Hled, every tent was occupied with Ianiy, AMI
q numerous multitude OF visitors for the day were
prospecting the settlement.
In the great tent or tabernacle, provided for the
regular church services In lnclement weather, an
enthusiastic prayer meeting was drawing to
close, aud, with Its final 'amen !" the happy
brothers and sisters quietly dispersed to their cot
tages and tents and to their preparations for din
ner.
place at half past two p. NJ, IN the great tent,
wnen the audience assembled, inside and outside,
numbered at least 1900. The services were
Of Him who did salvation bring,
could forever think anu sing
An earnest prayer followed from one OF the min
listers on the stand for the Divine blessing upon
this camp meeting, Tor the reawakenlng to a more
active lie Of holiness OF every beleyer IN the Lord
Jesus Christ, and for the conviction and conver.
sion Of sinners. The congregation tnen sang the
ny mn which appears to be great iav0rite among
these Aethodists-
There is fountain filled with blood,
Drawn from EmmanuePs veins
And sinners, plunged beneath that iood
The Rev. e. Il. Stokes then addressed the large
and constantly enlarglng congregation on the
opening OF this camp meeting. He spoke OF the
extraordinary circumstances OF this vast assem-
blage and OF the wonderful growth OF this religious
community by the sea shore. 1t was only some
four years ago, he said, that little company Of
the brethren, hardly exceeding score in number,
fixed upon this summer camping ground of Ocean
Grove. From that little company OF pioneers,
look around and behold what, under the blessing
OF God, has been accomplished on these GROUNDS
devoted TO Ills service. From handful OF enter
prisng and faithful men we have increased within
IOur years to prosperous and populous little city,
ana We have the enjOyments here OF one Of the
OF our broad land. rhe minister then proceeded
to define the objects of this summer city by the
sea. one object was place tor summer relaxa-
we, OF the Methodst Church, and those
OIL all other churches and OF no church,
who might choose to abide with US, could come
ana share together the enI0yments OF bodily rest
and spiritual improvements. But the grand object
was permanent camp ground for an annual
camp NEE ting-that peculiar institution TO which
our Church owes so much OF It's prosperity In this
country. And the great purposes OF these
on Of ca noness sm11s Believers and the
conversion OF slnneTs. The great body oil the peo-
Pile solonrnlng and gathering here are our churca
promotion Of nOiness IN life and OF larger and
more jealous devotion to the cause OF Christ
Unity, harmony and active cooperation IN TINS
great cause are our first duties. There are
brethren and sisters here nom oil parts OF the
state and from various sect,ous Of the country |;
an thONph hut OF ministers
on this stand, there are seventy OF them at ocean
Grove at this hour-seventy ministers OF Christ
this camp meeting. They are among you In
the congregation they are IA the tents and
service and ministers and brethren and sisters,
we want all to be united in the bonds OF Christian
faith, love and duty W. IN ths o.. camp meeting. 1t
strong In the fail that the results Will be glorious
In gathering OF converts ~ well as the general ad-
vancement OF believers In holiness OF hie. The
enthusiastic preacher tnen went on to say that
We wanted mere no side issues, no technical points
OF CHRISTIAN doctrine no controversies cnpp,S, upon
and Him crgcihed-the saving blood Of Christ. and
sanctfcaiion, and regeneration and atonement
ministers mil s'" and follow up the sermons In active
and M Be-
pared for the altar work, to pray with the con-
vcted and to strengthen the converted
Of the day set apart lOr our regular religious SER
vices morning, afternoon and evening, we request
our brethren and sisters and visiting friends and
strangers, all OF whom we are glad TO welcome to
these grOunds-we would ask them during our
religious meetings not to stray on 10 the sea beach,
nor to wander ABOUT the grove nor to 20 pleasur-
/ ing upon the lake, but to meet with us, an
unite with us IN our rehTious devOtions.
preacher, opening this great camp meeting, con.
| tinned TO exhorJ his hearers to unity, harmony
| and re alOus activity in the promotion OF holiness
! and in the rescue OF sinners from the wrath to
| come. That the brethren were thoroughly warmed
! no by his earnest and stirring exhortation WAS
evident from their frequent responses in the
/ OF his remarks, OF "Amen,n Lord help MS, "
| ssCome down Just now,u '!Glory TO God,n and
| similar excamauons OF iaith an devotion.
Next the hymn was sung by the congregation,
| which begins with the verse
o the blood, the precious blood
OF Jesus shed for
Upon the cross crimson hood,
Just now, by faith, see.
| With o prayer, and the asking OF the divine
blessing upon the meeting, the congregation was
| dismissed. On leaving the encampmen, your cor
respondent met hundreds Of people coming In, anc