Smyrna times., 1879-08-06

Wallace of the Ocean Grove Record wrote,
"Come to Ocean Grove: it will do you
good soul and body" Whatever may have
been the need of the former it was the
latter we were then particularly concerned |
about, and a week ago found us a pilgrim |
to this Mecca of summer resorts for a |
certain class of people in search of relaxa- |
ton, rest, and recuperation for impaired |
health. 1t is indeed a health invigorating |
place, having all the others claim in this |
respect and surprising them in other |
aspects. In fact it is incompatible because
there is no other place governed on the |
same principles. Rehoboth tried it and
| signally failed, but they have no fear of the
result here. The corporation consisting of
| twelve clergymen and twelve laymen are
| all united in one purpose, and the moral
| force at their back in both Church and
| State is immense.
On Thursday the 10th anniversary was
celebrated with much interest and en-
thusiasm. 1t is simply wonderful what has
been accomplished in that time. A wild,
| desolate waste of sand hills and stunted
| trees have been transformed into q popular
city "by the sea" with finely graded streets,
beautiful houses and cottages, public and
private parks, handsomely ornamented
with flower gardens, vases, &c. The grove
now contains $50 cottages and some twenty
hotels,-half of these buildings having
been erected during the past three years.
These cottages, both private and for the
reception of transient boarders, are of
various designs of architecture mostly at
tractive in appearance, and costing from
81, ,O00to$6, 900 or$8, 900. The chiefcharacter.
istics are projecting gables, and verandas.
The campmeeting grounds stand about the
centre in nicely shaded grove of small
trees; the canvass tents of the primitive
days to the number of several hundred
still holding the original ground. In the
centre of the encampment stands the Au-
ditorium, an immense solid roof supported
by firm pillars capable of seating beneath
; it some four or five thousand people. On
last Sunday evening when Mrs. Lathrop
, preached there was under and around it a
congregation estimated at 1000, and on
Thursday to hear Bishop Simpsons ami
} versary sermon every available place was
, taken. They are always protected from
rain by this and Memorial Tabernacle and
the Young Peoples Temple, enclosed build
ings standing at the edge of the encamp-
ment.
Fl The campmeeting proper does not COM
mence until the 18th of August, but from
the 1st of June until the end of August
or perhaps September there is scarcely a
e week or a day but what the visitor will
0 find something to interest him. The Presi.
dent, DR.. Stokes, is always on the alert and
holds everything that transpires with a
\ firm hand.
l. The simple tent life has not been, nor is
t likely to be supplanted entirely by the
! more substantial houses. In the groves in
different parts of the grounds may be seen
dozens of tents with the people living in
!, the most easy and homelike way. Tents
o can be hired for from two to four dollar!
Il per week, and by providing their own
table supplies, persons can live on halfwha
it will cost to GO to boarding house. Elk
q cellentpure and cool water is supplied from
e, public or private pumps which are to b.
It found in any part of the ground. The!
are of iron, driven down, sometimes to
Z distance of twenty-five feet, and no CAM
sr ground furnishes better water nor will
N half the convenience.
8. The Association grounds lie betweeI
two fresh water lakes three quarters of
70 mile apart called wesley" and FLETCHER
CT These lakes are each about 300 feet wild
se and run from the beach directly back
Of distance of half a mile to the railroad
! The grounds cover a tract of ground G
" over 400 acres. 1t is laid off in wild
Ve avenues and streets bearing such names a
Id Pilgrims Pathway, Pisgah Way, Taboi
n. Hermon, DC. The grounds are lighte
with gas. The officers of the Associatio
~ show wonderful executive powers. The
IL are bound by their constitution to expen
or all the profits of the property in improv'
ot ments, and have already. devoted abou
$500, 900 for such purposes. The improv
100 ments at Ocean Grove are now worth vi
re ward of three quarters of million. III
material progress of the place, great as
"a. has been, has not given the place as muc
character as its government. Fashion hi
not, nor is it likely to get, a controlling il
ul' fluence. The ladies are neatly but plain
10 dressed, silks are the exception and dant
ma parties are not once thought of. Not on
-, are spirituous and malt liquors prohibite
~ but tobacco and cigars are not sold on Il
lat ground. The latter can, however,
mt brought on and used as private proper
as, except in the vicinity of the meeting
~ The gates are closed at IL on Saturdi
" night and no vehicle of any kind is allow'
m to enter until o'clock Monday mornin
DIR. There are all through the summer dev
,er. tional meetings twice a day, but Il
90 number attending is not one tenth of tho
-, who resort to the beach.
TN In addition to the pavilions the beach
of lined through the day, especially of
asst evening the whole three quarter mile fro
lad OF the GroVe as well as good part oil /
a. front of Asbury Park, with groups of perso
'ne sitting, reclining or lying on the san
nee During the moonlight evening of the pi
the week they could be counted by the one
mn. two thousand.
The easy freedom and comminging
!, the people is striking feature. No VI
aer' is seen, no offensive word is heard, q
red, there is such a sense of security that af
,p.n day or two one hardly thinks of turni
,.o. the lock on his room door. Chancel
POn Runyon the other day at the Anniyerst
asd- celebration, in celebrating an idea
,per vanced by Bishop Simpson in tho morni
rad on the rapid development making
christian morals, expressed the opin
ossi- that the child was now living who wol
ger, see throughout the length and breadth
wds the land state of society similar to h
,et a now existing here.
.ho AsBURY PARK.
lane Wesley Lake is the dividing limo betw'
80 Ocean Grove and similar thrifty en-
'om prise called Asbury Park. Mr.. Brady,
sary President, is also Methodist and mos
Al the streets are named after promin