Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1907-01-24
THE OCEAN Shore
In WINTER Time
Editor American,

=
Editor American,
Sir-It may be of interest to your
many readers to receive a word from
this beautiful city by the sea. Owing
to the severity of the snow storm of
Thursday, the work in which 1 am en-
gagged, under the auspices of Simpson
Memorial NJ +. church, was more or
less hindered, aud this gave me both
time and opportunity to observe the
effect of a storm in the vicinity of the
sea shore. Although the wind was not
so high. nor so long continued as in
some cases, the storm was nevertheless
most interesting to one whose expert
ence with weather conditions are fur
ther removed from the sea coast.
When the storm was at its height
(although it was with difficulty that l
reached the beach) pushed my way
through the snow, as | desired to see
the effect of the north-eaSter on the
sea. The view out over the water was
cut off owing TO the severity of the
storm, but the blowing of the fog
horns on the vessels that were too far
out to be seen, were plainly heard, and
the sound of them was wierd i'll the
extreme-suggestin helplessness, as if
signaling to other vessels that were in
the same condition Along the shore
the scene was at once grand and sub
lime, the waves dashing up high
against the letters aud bulkheads that
are built for the purpose of preserving
the coast line Though cold and eX-
tremely uncomfortable for time, |
am glad that | had the pleasure of
looking on the sea i'll rough weather,
as l enjoyed it all-wind, SNOW, cold
and even the antics of the sea gulls, as
they were driven about by the wind
in their search for food.
From the time of my arrival in
Long Branch, the sea has had an especi
al charm for met always interest
me-and as l have never visited the
coast during the winter season, 1T was
with the greatest pleasure that | stroll
led along the splendid new board walk
(Which the city is rapidly pushing to
completion) to enjoy the sea air and
gaze upon the "Old Ocean -
What a wonderful sight it is! As
one stands and gazes far out over the
waters, and contemplates the vastness
of it all, the feeling of insignificance
is the chief thought for while, and
the mind aud heart turn instinctively
to God, the Creator and Preserver of
all things Power is written III every
wave, as it dashes over the sand. Com
merce is suggested by every sail that
dots the horizon. JOY and sorrow
travel together from port to port i'll
the passenger list on the great ocean
| liners, as they plow their way through
storm and calm with thousands of sorls
wish for land The products of the
different countries are suggested, as
we contemplate the remarkable growth
of nations and the merchandise pee
uliar to each, which are being carried
over the seas by our splendid merchant
vessels. Magnificent harb1rs in all of
our leading cities give rise to the feel
ing that our country is importing aud
exporting the best of the world 5 goods.
There is also the suggestion of rest
lessness ever present with the sea, as
it is always moving. Sometimes calm
and peaceful, and again rough and
tempestuous-so Ike many lives that
have no anchorage in the religion of
Christ
The captains of the vesse S tell us of
derelicts in the Atlantic-the water
soaked hulls of old. wrecked vessels.
They have no harbor, they are bound
for no port, they carry no signal lights,
they have no captain; no pilot; they
sail under no flag they bear no mess
age OF either JOY or sorrow; they an
swer no signals they have no cargo ::
they are simply drifting, and 1t is these
old derelicts that constitute a great
menace to commerce and traffic
1t is so with IA life into which comes
II great controlling purpose. 1t sooner
or later becomes derelict; only a
meuacing fiotsam on the great sea of
human endeavOr.
Since the racing and gambling in
terests have been closed up IN Long
Branch, the city has taken on a new
order of things, and everywhere i'm
provements are observed. The bust
ness of the city, the churches, school
and all other popular institutions -four
ish. Many new houses are being built,
and the coming season promises to be
busy one at this old-time, popular
resort. The people are conservative,
yet progressive. From present indica
tions, the city council will soon be in
position TO advertise the advantages
of the place in a special way, for their
plans contemplate some splendid new
enterprise which they will make
known to the world. The city is GER
tainly delightful for location, and with
the proper amount of advertising will
grow rapidly.
WILLIAM d. LAUMASTER.
Hunter Will he D asenf