New-York tribune., 1919-12-14
SMALL group Of men had
gathered In a tent on a
lonely spot on the New
Jersev coast to hold q re-

llSlOuS ScIVlCc. Az WaS IIlkuI, duu
lighted candles stuck in wooden up
rights cast wavering shadows on the
ground. The surf breaking on the
beach and the wind throwing up
sand eddies among the dunes could
be heard family by the worshipers.
The service marked the begin
ming Of what many looked upon as
unique enterprise in religion, but
even its promoters failed to antici-
pate its success. Fired though they
were by holy ambition, they did not
guess that on that desolate spot,
almost next door to New York City,
would spring up community which,
in a few years, would command the
worlds attention. Even with the
eye of imagination they did not see
that at least six Presidents Of the
United States would honor it by 60
ing there to address vast audiences
and that noted preachers from all
lands would seek opportunities to
speak from it's pulpits.
But the thing they anticipated
least Of all was that through the
mere accident Of locality the colony
would become q veritable battle
ground Of the worldly" and the
"unworldly," where year after year
the opposing forces would lock
horns in apparently endless conflict.
Those who know the story of
Ocean Grove, next door neighbor to
Asbury Park, and Of the Camp
Meeting Association which domi-
mates it know the intense and ever
mounting irritation it has been to
the "materialists.
Situated on a coast which, in
summer at least, is thronged by
hundreds Of thousands Of pleasure
seekers, it has persisted in the ways
Of the holy. Beginning as an "obla-
ton on Christ's altar" it has held
to its original role despite the cries
of rage Of its critics. The winds Of
wrath caused by these opponents
rose, the rains of displeasure de-
scended and the thunders of denun-
citation reverberated through the
heavens, but, in the language of the
masses, "Ocean Grove stuck" DEFY
ing the elements of hostility to
shake it from it's firm foundations
But the Seventh Day
When the Sabbath Day, which
among business men at coast resorts
is regarded as the "biggest day of the
week." dawned, the colony calmly
closed the big gates at the entrance,
cars and automobiles stopped run
ming and commercial activities
ceased. Persons going about in the
community walked and no excep-
ton was made even when President
Grant accepted an invitation to
visit the place on Sunday.
Recently there were some who
thought that with the death-two
weeks ago-of the Rev. Aaron Ed
ward Ballard, long president of the
Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Asso-
citation, change might come in the
rules Of the colony, but, it would
seem, they are once more doomed
to disappointment. The minds and
hearts of the followers of that small
group of pioneers are as loyal at
ever to their early principles, and
they insist they will never recede
from their original position.
ocean Grove will remain what il
was," say these adherents Of estab-
lished laws. 1--WE stand now where
William Osborn stood when he found
ed the community"
Exactly what is meant by this will
appear from the story told by Morris
K. Daniels, one of the best known
members Of the association and the
historian Of its activities, as to the
manner in which Osborn decided to
establish the colony on its present
site.
Zone cold winters day in 1868
Osborn left his carriage on what was
then the main road passing Ocean
Grove and wended his way through
the brush to what is now Founder's