Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-08-10
LIFE ON THE JERSEY COAST.
THE EVOLUTION OF OCEAN GROyE-ITs ATTRAC-
TIONs AND NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. IN
THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE EVOLUTION OF OCEAN GnovE-TTs ATTRAc-
TIONS AND OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES IN
THE NEIGHBORHOoD.
Special Correspondence Of THE EVENING STAR.
OCEAN GROVE. n. j., Aug. s. 1881.
This place. which now contains summer pop
ulation OF about 2o000 was twelve years ago.
barren sand beach. 1t was originally chosen for
Methodist camp ground, and the camp meet
ing idea lsstiil retained although more and more
the locality has gradually assumed the aspect
OF popular watering place. The grounds were
laid out and divided into small lots of 3Ox6O feet
with the expectation that the lots would be oc-
cupied Dy tents or small cheap cottages. suita-
BILE for family use during the meetings. and per-
maps Ior season before and after. But it is to be
feared that the growth has been away from the
meetings rather thantOward them Great crowds
come here to be famed by the cool breath of the
ocean, and to feel the invigorating touch of its
splendid surf.
But the religious aspect of the place still gives
II peculiar character, which enters largely into
its marvellous success: There is a continnons
meeting 1or ten days in August. called camp
meeting, ana at other times there are conyen-
!Ions. anniversary seasons, and special gather
iiiSs Oh one klnd or other. so that every day has
It's religious or intellectual attractions while on
Sunday the gate are closed: there is no horse or
carriage TO De seen ON the streets. No milk is
sofa, no newspapers are circulated, no oar is
seen on Its lakes and no bathing permitted in
Its waters. Hence the only resource for the
SaDDath IS the series of religious meetings at the
camp ground. These are always of rare interest
ana the congregations embrace six or eight
thousand persons
Yesterday DR.. Buckley. the editor of the New
YORK Christian 4dcocdte. preached to such an
aud,ence as very few people have ever seen to-
getnef, and held them spell-bOund to the close
IN the evening. when the grounds. the ocean
front and the two lakes are lighted with ten
thousand lamps. the scene is more like fairy land
than any thing else
On Saturdayimmense trains come in from New
York and Philadelphia. and on Monday morning
they go out laden with those who must return to
their business. We are also often visited by large
picnic parties, and pavilion has been built es-
peclally Tor the accommodation of those who
UflnS lunches on such occasions. Among the
recreatlons are surf-bathing rowing. sailing
grabbing, yachting on the ocean. and riding to
Long Branch. Ocean Beach, and other places
within easy distance
This portion of the Jersey coast has undergone
marvellous change in the last decade, and
promises to be wholly occupied at no distant
day by summer residents of the adjacent cities.
Long Branch, Deal Beach. Asbury Park, Ocean
Grove, Ocean Beach, Spring Lake. and
Sea-glrt are all summer towns swarming with
life and almost within speaking distance of each
other. Great hotels and beautiful cottages are
the chief features of the whole coast, and there
seems to be no end to the capital and enterprise
which go into these latter day improvements.
8 G.