The Newtown bee., 1896-08-28
Ocean Grove.
1 WRITTEN FOR THE BEE. 1

plA6~pdiICh EOd>b OL N1W jersey Was thought to be 8 waste of Nature. It was ut length observed that the steady swell of the ocean adorned the shore with rare beauty, and during the most oppressive heat, beside the beach was always q ] bracing, cooling, healthful breeze. So 1 the coast of New Jersey blOssomed into continuous aummer resort, character ized b7 bathing piers and "board walks It ia believed that there are compar ativcly few miles between the Atlantic Highlands and Cape May where this pleasant walk is not to be found. The resorts vary in character, In some wealth and fashion rule. Others are simple and home-likc, but in all the nothing to.do character was pervasive. Over century go the plan was deviscd of establishing an eminent and perma- ucpr camp meeting at Ocean Grove. Dr| Stokes WAS selected aa general au~ }eriHtendcnt. Under the leadership of this modern Jo hua the enterprise has grown until no resort on the coast com- pares with this for popularity.
 One block from the ocean there is an unmenae auditorium that eoa.s I2,O0OI people. A large pipe organ, a piano, c3ruet and & chorus choir, lead the sing ing. A prominent musical composer isl in charge, and SD conducts the rendering that the melody is interpreted to the audience as it sang itself into his soul when he received the inspiration. Many of the composers of fayoritc hymns are also present. There is a Young Peoples Temple, seating 2,000, a Tabernacle about half as large, and the Fernley Chapel, erected by a young man from Canada, for the love he bore to the place. About 200 tents are erected on side avenues. These have 8 two-8tory cottage back and canvas front. They are hand somely decorated and furnished. of private cottages there are Iegions. ThereI arc about 2UO welI-managed boarding houses accommodating from 50 to l50I guests, Also there are several large hrst-class hotels, The bathing advan- tages are unexcelIed. There are long piers at the northern and southern end of the town. A bathing master is always in attendance with his boat to avert any mishap. Ample arrangements are made for hot ocean baths which are not only luxury, but very helpful for rheum- atic troubles.
 The program of exercises begins in June and culuinaces in the camp meeting ending about the first of September.
 Interesting conventions, representing every department Of Christian work are held. The summer school of Theology is gaining in popularity among ministers of all denominations. It terminated last year with the greatest musical concert ever given in this section, The Messiah was rendered by 400 trained voices, con- ducted by Damrosch and accompanied by his orchestra.
 The people seem perfectly happy. Socially, the life is charming. People become acquainted as if by magic. The most perfect freedom prevails. One may keep up an endless change of costume and wear twenty hats a day, but the great majority wear neither hat nor gloves, and dress exactly as they please. It is paradise for elderly people who want to go to thoroughly respectable place for the summer. That one is there is guarantee for his good taate,and social position. Thousands of ministers of all denominations visit here. There is an Elein provided where, flor a nominal sum, minister and his wife may be enter tained for two weeks during some part of the season. Thousands of picturesque young people and children enliven the promenades and beach. The Sabbath is ideal. The gates are closed on Saturday night, and no vehicle, not even a bicycle, is allowed on the streets until Monday morning. That these and other restric. tions are appreciated is evinced by the steady increase of visitors. Long Branch 1 and Elberon are waning in popularity. Grants cottage and the pretty home where Garfield died, are owned by priv vate parties who take no pains to pre-. serve them historically. Although beau tiful, these places are monotonous beside Ocean Grove.
 Care Is taken that the speakers, Iectur- CTS and singers shall be the best and most distinguished in their line. The camp meeting is opened by morning and afternoon prayer service. In the evening the communion is administered. Slowly the bishop and several hundred ministers pass down from the platform to the altar and participate together in