multitude on the shore joined their voices with those of the singers in the boats, pouring forth the old familiar strains of "Shall we Gather at the River," before we scattered in the starlight, going softly to our tents and cottages.

It all took little more than half an hour. But no other half-hour, perhaps, in the history of Wesley Lake has left so deep and indelible an impression on the hearts of so many persons as that in which we stood close together on the bank and listened to Professor Hardy, whom we could not see, singing "The Life Boat" in the hushed and starlit night.

A REMINISCENCE

Recently one of the Metropolitan papers announced the death of a famous violinist well-known to all music lovers of the last generation— Giuseppe Vitale—saying:

A noted violinist of a generation ago and a collector of Stradivarius violins, died on Sunday at his home in Brooklyn. Mr. Vitale was a pupil of Ole Bull, and in his time was acquainted with some of the world's famous men and musicians, including Sarasate and Wieniawski. He was also a friend of Longfellow and Beecher and had played for McKinley and Roosevelt. He owned the only two Stradivarius violins in Brooklyn, one of them having been handed down in the family for one hundred and fifty years and being valued at $12,000. He also owned two Amatis and some instruments manufactured by Vuillaume and Bodio.

The name of Giuseppe Vitale-even after the lapse of many years— recalled vividly an announcement made by Dr. Stokes from the pulpit of the old Auditorium. It was at the close of the services on a quiet July Sunday. Dr. Stokes said, in substance, that on a particular evening of the week following "a treat" would be given all those who came to the Auditorium. He said he would not tell what would be the nature of the "treat" but that everyone who failed to be there would miss something worth while. He further said that Ocean Grove was worthy the best of everything, and what he referred to was of the best.

Various conjectures were indulged in by those who heard the announcement. Some thought it would be a great preacher; others that the President of the United States was coming, or perhaps some famous group of singers, or a lecturer, while the boys and girls could only think of ice cream or something good to eat.

As the intervening days passed, the interest grew apace and much curiosity was aroused, but Dr. Stokes could not be induced to say what was in store for those who came to the Auditorium. All he would say was "you will be sorry afterward if you are not there."

It really seemed as though the appointed evening would never come, such as the intense interest created, but when it did, the Auditorium was

crowded to its capacity. At last, when the hour arrived which had been set in the announcement, Dr. Stokes came to the front of the platform and introduced Signor Vitale, saying that he had expressed a desire to play for an Ocean Grove audience.

Instantly there was silence, even the younger generation who had hoped for—if not really expected—the ice cream, wondered what the darkhaired foreign-looking gentleman would do. And then Signor Vitale slowly raised his violin, touched it with his bow and there came forth such sounds as had never been heard before in the old Auditorium.

Rising and falling

in sweet cadences, they floated out among the trees whose leafy branches swept the Auditorium roof, and up into space, seemingly as an incense bearing the prayers of those gathered within sound of the instrument.

Perhaps it was the famous old "Strad" he played that evening at Ocean Grove for the vibration of the strings can still be heard in the recesses of one's memory.

Memory cannot say. Probably he who writes
But it was "a treat" and it has lasted through

What did he play? did not know at the time. all the years. Dr. Stokes was right.

ORATORIOS AND CONCERTS

The success of the oratorio "Messiah" in 1895 led to a demand for great concerts, and three such were given in 1896-The Creation, August 12, the first children's chorus supported by the New York Symphony Orchestra, August 13, and the Messiah August 14-all under the auspices of the Summer School of Theology. The oratorios and Symphony concert were directed by Walter Damrosch, the leader of the Symphony Orchestra. The Children's Chorus was led by Tali Esen Morgan.

The following year there were two great music festivals, again under the auspices of the Summer School: "the first associated four hundred voices of children, trained to a surprising accuracy of time and tune under Prof. Tali Esen Morgan," and the other, the oratorio of "Elijah," conducted by Professor Damrosch.

In 1898 the increasing infirmities of Professor J. R. Sweney, who so long and ably had filled the position of musical director, made his continuance impossible, and Mr. Morgan was selected to fill his place.

It is said that "the choir was largely increased in numbers and equally so in efficiency," and that Professor Morgan "exacted the discipline of drill unsparingly and the improvement was marvelous." At the close of the season at a banquet tendered by the choir, "an elegant gold watch was presented to its leader."

With this start the great concerts and children's festivals at Ocean Grove were continued under Mr. Morgan's direction from year to year.

The "Messiah" has been the favorite oratorio, and the leading oratorio singers of the day have been heard. The children's festivals have crowded the Auditorium to its capacity on many occasions and have probably been the most popular of all the great concerts, though it is impossible to compare them with the great oratorios and the great concerts in which worldrenowned singers have been heard; among the latter should be mentioned:

Lillian Nordica, Schumann-Heink, Mme. Jomeli, Mme. DeVere, Louise Homer, Mme. Yaw, Shanna Cumming, David Bispham, Edward Johnson, Dan Beddoe, Henri Scott, Swilym Miles, Frederic Martin, Albert Spaulding, Edwin Lemare, Clarence Eddy, Mischa Elman, and scores of others.

An amusing story is told concerning the engagement of the first great artist for Ocean Grove. It was rumored that Professor Morgan had engaged a singer for the sum of $2,000. This rumor spread rapidly and created some comment, and, it is said, led some of the officers of the Association to interview Mr. Morgan on the subject; something like the following conversation is said to have occurred:

"We are surprised," said the spokesman, "to hear that you have engaged a singer for the Auditorium at a cost of $2,000." Mr. Morgan responded, "That is a mistake; the price agreed upon is $2,500." Then followed some discussion, Mr. Morgan showing his confidence in the engagement by offering to bear one half the loss if he might have half the gain. The Association officers finally decided to accept Mr. Morgan's judgment that the engagement would prove profitable, and it is said a net profit of about $3,000 resulted on the entertainment.

Mr. Morgan organized and directed for several years, an orchestra of sixty-five, generally conceded by musical critics to have been the best non-professional orchestra in the United States. He also wrote the "Storm" for the great organ, and with much care worked out the best combinations of stops to produce it with the fineness of interpretation that made it justly famous.

THE CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND FESTIVAL

A visitor at Ocean Grove, writing of the Fairyland Pageant, said:

We had heard of the Children's Fairyland Festival at Ocean Grove, of. Who has not? But it was only through seeing for ourselves this unique

course.

and beautiful pageant that we gained anything like a true conception of its real character and charm. There are some things for which no description quite prepares one, and this is one of them. Is there its like anywhere in the world? Several widely traveled acquaintances who were present on that Wednesday evening in August assure us there is not, and we easily believe them.

The evening was one of surprises. First came that at the beauty of the