Smyrna times., 1892-09-21
MOUNT TABOR CAMP GROUND.

/ Mr.. EDITOR:
Str:-It was my purpose to have
written this letter several weeks 400
but have been prevented from various
causes. And while the subject NAV
seem little out of season, still know
ing as do that the people of our state
take lively interest in camp meet
ings, | think it quite probable that
some of the readers of the TIMES will
be interested in the outline of this
noted camp, known as Mount Tabor.
These beautiful grounds are located in
Morris county, the next county west of
this, this being Essex Immediately
on the line of the Morris and Essex
division of the Delaware, Lackawanna
Il Western r. R., % miles from New
ark, 35 miles from the great metrop.
oils and about 20 miles from this place
by wagon road. This camp ground is
owned by the Newark Conference. A
committee of the above conference, pro-
cured an act of Incorporation from the
Legislature twenty one years ago to
purchase and hold real estate and con-
ferred upon them all privileges. usual
in acts of this kind. They first pur-
chased % acres. After few wears
they saw the growing necessity of more
room, then the recent purchase was
made of hundred acres more. After
holding meetings for several wears
in the regular way, it was proposed bv
some who were so fascinated with this
lovely spot to erect some cottages and
make it their summer home.
1t has grown from this to be what
may be justly called a city in the
woods. There stands to-day nearly
three hundred cottages, running in
cost from three hundred up to FIVE
thousand dollars apiece. The part of
these grounds on which these cottages
are built is on cOnical shaped hill.
rising up out of a broad valley. The
valley is bounded on either side with
quite a high range of mountains.
These grounds are quite regularly
laid out with streets and avenues.
some of which are a little winding.
This has been done as a rule, to protect
the fine shade trees. Nearly all these
are very attractive in appear
ance. The architectural beauty COM
bined with the skill of the carpenter
and painter, has made many of them
even handsome.
On the extreme highest point of this
nil, there are two quite large reser.
volrs, substantially built. The water
Is supplied from never.failing springs,
pumped up by steam power. The sup
ply is said to be sufficient for the use
Of a city of 10000 inhabitants. and it is
claimed that no purer water is found
anywhere. The cottages are all well
supplied by system of pipes from
5heserese rvoirs to their highest stories.
This water plant was erected at a cost
1t twenty thousand dollars. Nature
has supplied the most perfect draining.
There is tabernacle in which there is
seating capacity for thousand peo.
Die, in which meetings are only held.
Even the weather will not admit Of
outdoor exercises; there is also a large 1
boarding house called the Arlington. I
hat accommodates hundred guests or |
more. The building and the manner i
n which it is kept would do credit to J
many of our large cities. There are s
'lso several other boarding houses, all '
# which are said to be we'll kept. t
there are two grocery stores, two \
butcher shops, one fancy store, several n
nilkmen and two bakeries. The farm 2
RS of the surrounding country supply S
resh vegetables. There is also a bar
er shop, drug store, telegraph and F
ost office. forgot to say that there a
ample means for battling the fire is
end.
In addition to the annual camp
leeting, which lasts ten days, there rg
preaching by able ministers every W
unday in the Tabernacle, and we'll ii
onducted Sunday and weekly W
rayer-meeting is sustained during the o
eason. There are about four acres set 10
part as a playground for children, b.
allied Recreation Park, divided into 81
aseball ground, tennis and a croquet it
.wn. While these grounds are under al
ne control of the Newark M. E. Con- W
'renee, still the occupants of these cs