The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-08-10

OSJSSeS OA ohSASho AlSIOi1 olO tSTH lubeI-
estlng to sojourner among these people
and places, but slightly so to one not on
the spot, SO pass over many fascinating
points and places to period in the i'm
mediate present.
AS intimated, in the earliest days of
discovery, Marthas Vineyard has been
notable, in long intervals, as the theatre
of some wonderful religious develop
ments. Here, under the boasted light of
nature, Indian paganism had developed
into wild, wierd, strange worship; and
RENTED to us of the present, legends and
stories as strange as startling. Every
where are to be found the footprints OF
these strange legends and worships in the
names which yet mark sGrange places,
such as must be visited to be appreciated,
viz, the Devils Den" etc. It was here
that Christianity fought some of its most
brilliant battles with this Paganism and
won. Later, here Puritans. and Quakers,
and Roger Williams, fought and won the
great fight for civil and religious liberty
=" freedom to worship God" And it
was on this island-though last, not least
less than forty years ago, were insti-
tuted and inaugurated, under the lead
and direction of the Methodist and Bap-
tist churches. those world-renowned,
largest, and most remarkable Christian
camp-meetings the world ever saw.
quote: Christian camp-meetings are an
American product. They originated in
Kentucky in 1870, under the revival la
bors of two brothers, McGee, one a Pres
6yterian,. the other Methodist. From
the happy results, the idea of open-air
meetings soon spread abroad. God s
great unveiled temple enjoyed new
honor"
Marthas Vineyard, rather Cottage
City" with its 1,500 cottages Literally
no two exactly alike, architecturally-
varying in cost from 800 to $4,000, is
the outgrowth of Methodist camp-meet-
ing, a little camp of nine tents, held in
August, 1885. August has been the con-
secrated month ever since. The spot
where was held this first camp-meeting
is beautiful for situation, and the 10y Of
the whole earth. at has no equal for
calmness and salubrity Its temperature
compared with that of the mainland, is
several degrees cooler in the summer,
and warmer in the winter, by reason of
It's proximity to the gulf stream / learn
from the permanent residents that deep
SHOWS are very rare and vesy transient.
The truth of this 1 see verified every
morning by the thickness, rather the
thanneSS, of the ice delivered at my cot
tage by the ice wagons-not more than
five or six inches thick, though the last
was an exceptionally cold winter.
| said the first camp-meeting of nine
tents was held in August, 1885. In 1880
there are 800 cottogeslI The number
present in 1885 was about l 900, in 1880,
about 4o,000ll In 1865 few persons
came to spend the whole summer. In
1869 this had become genuine water
ing place. Besides the strong religious
element pervading every thing and every
body the intellectual and aesthetic is not
ignored. Every day lectures on various
topics, and readings from celebrated au-
thors, from distinguished professors, are
delivered in the Summer Institute, and
many students wait on these courses.
Thus with the religious flow of soul is
mingled the feast of reason, and time
needs not hang listlessly on the invalid s
hands. There are five churches and tab
ernacles. The Iron Tabernacle seats
comfortably 1000 persons; and such
singing OH Thomas Hughes, author of
"Tom Brown at Rugby" was once here,
and said that it "was worth voyage
across the Atlantic to hear such singing
and look in the face of such an Assembly !"
1t is said that during the season 10000
persons visit the island.
Besides the Wesleyan Grove" a dis
tinctly Methodist encampment, the Bap-
tist have, since 1870, regularly incor-
porated association, denominated the
Baptist Vineyard Association" mod
eled on the pattern and conducted after
the modes of the Methodists. They have
their annual camp-meeting, usually pre-
ceeding the Methodists' meeting by a
week or SO. While there are two dis
tinctly denominational divisions of Cot
tage City, there is religious accommoda-
tions for all. Besides the two, each Bap-
tist and Methodist churches, there is one
called the I" Union Chapel" sustained
and attended by all denominations. "Be-
hold how pleasant it is to see brethren
dwell together in unity" is happily and
lovingly illustrated here. So far a holv
emulation, as to which can do the most
good, characterises all denominations
So mote it be-ever. have more to tell
you lin the sweet by and by"