Sweney which "was like the waves of melody filling the air with delicious sounds."

THE NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Again, in 1882, the National Educational Assembly met. This assembly was organized by the Rev. Dr. Hartzell, who later became a bishop of Africa.

There were a host of prominent speakers, among whom were bishops of our own and other denominations, statesmen prominent in national and state affairs; leading editors, clergymen, educators and laymen, forming what might be called a "galaxy of orators." The assembly was so successful that an invitation was extended to meet again at Ocean Grove the following year.

THE EPWORTH LEAGUE INSTITUTE AND THE "GET-TOGETHER
CONFERENCE"

The recent presence of two organizations—the Epworth League Institute of the Second General Conference District of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the "Get-Together Conference" of the Executive officers of the Young Men's Christian Associations of New Jersey-at Ocean Grove, presumably after careful consideration of the advantages offered by this place in comparison with many others which might have been chosen

or under whatever guiding motive-emphasizes a fact which we have long held as a firm conviction, namely, that Ocean Grove presents most attractive features for such gatherings and is in many respects better adapted to their purposes than any other resort.

The beauty and quiet of the place, with its natural attractions of ocean, board walk, boating and fishing, combined with the excellent roads in all directions for driving or automobiling to the numerous nearby points of local or historic interest, render it notable for its suitableness. Its close proximity, also, to both New York and Philadelphia-the two greatest American cities of the East-indicates its convenience of location.

There are many organizations of more than local scope and character, which, if Ocean Grove were called to their attention, would, we believe, gladly avail themselves of such opportunities as are afforded by meeting here. Some such, like the two just mentioned and the State Federation of Women's Clubs, have already done so. Others are coming, including the National Educational Association, which it is expected will hold its sessions in the Auditorium, as it did some of those of 1905. It is rumored that some thirty thousand persons are likely to attend this Convention, which could not be held here except for the cooperation of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association in granting the use of the Auditorium,

It is surely evident that a little combination of effort, directing attention to Ocean Grove and its natural and geographical advantages, must result in many other organizations, whose purposes and objects are in harmony with our fundamental principles, seeking to make this the center of their conventions and assemblies.

TEMPERANCE

Ocean Grove has devoted much time to the cause of temperance and prohibition. In 1875, on August II and 12, there was held a two-days' temperance meeting, the influence of which it was thought "must be felt for long ages to come."

Miss Frances E. Willard, prominent in the Women's National Christian Temperance Union, attended the conventions of that Society for many years in Ocean Grove. It is said that her closing address in 1881 "thrilled many thousands of hearts."

In 1882 when Iowa voted with a thirty thousand majority for prohibition, a jubilee meeting was held.

In 1883 the National Temperance Society held a convention, when at one of the meetings George W. Bain, known as "the silver-tongued orator of Kentucky," swayed an audience of six thousand.

In passing it may be noted that in 1900 the National Temperance and Publication Society held its twenty-fifth annual gathering at Ocean Grove.

Since then practically all the National and State temperance organizations have held conventions or meetings at Ocean Grove, when men and women of

THE SECOND GENERAL CONFERENCE DISTRICT EPWORTH LEAGUE INSTITUTE AT OCEAN GROVE, N. J.

national prominence have been present either as presiding officers or as speakers.

The sentiment of Ocean Grove on the temperance question was well expressed by Dr. Stokes who said, "Let every man's eye be like the eagle's to detect, and every man's face as flint, and every man's voice terrible thunder against this foe which leads to ruin here and eternal hell hereafter."

SUMMER SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

This was inaugurated in Ocean Grove in 1895 under the presidency of Dr. Stokes, with J. E. Price, D.D., as dean. The advisory council con

sisted of such prominent ecclesiastics as Bishops Hurst, Warren, Andrews, Foss, Dr. Neely (later bishop), and Dr. George K. Morris.

The first oratorio ever given at Ocean Grove-"Messiah"-was "the brilliant crowning" of the summer program of the School of Theology in 1895. Ten thousand people were present in the Auditorium which caused Dr. Walter Damrosch, who was present with his orchestra and who conducted the presentation, to say that "it was the largest number" before whom he had ever directed it. The chorus for this occasion was drilled by Professor Tali Esen Morgan, who had but recently become the musical director of Ocean Grove.

!

The object of the Summer School of Theology was "to promote higher ministerial efficiency and to afford to those whose time is largely absorbed by the demands of a busy pastorate, facilities for some study in the advanced thought of the times, upon various phases of doctrine and of ministerial life and work."

The Summer School of Theology was continued for six years under the deanship of Dr. Price, who in 1900 found it necessary to resign because of the press of his pastoral duties. The school was continued for a number of years but was discontinued with the season of 1905.

STATE FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S CLUBS

The Convention of the New Jersey State Federation of Women's Clubs, held during the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth of this May, 1916,

at the North End Hotel and adjoining Pavilion, is justly to be regarded as the most important early-season event in the history of Ocean Grove.

This body, which was organized in 1894 and the same year joined the General Federation of Women's Clubs in the United States, represents one hundred and eighty-seven clubs, located in a large number of cities and towns, with an aggregate membership of more than seventeen thousand women, drawn from among the most able and influential of our commonwealth. Its activities and interests cover a wide range and are divided, for efficiency's sake, into a number of special departments, including those

of Education, Legislation, Home Economics, Civics and Public Health, Conservation, Industrial and Social Conditions, Art, Literature and Libraries, Music and Sociology, with subdepartments or committees devoted to Drama, Pageantry, safe and sane expressions of patriotism, and other subjects.

The reports and conferences upon these and allied subjects were full of interest, as were all the general sessions of the Convention. The latter were very largely attended and were addressed by special and very able speakers, including Mrs. C. W. Stockton, the capable and gracious president of the body, who spoke impressively on "Responsibility"; Mrs. Percy V. Pennypacker, president of the National Federation now in session in New York, whose words on "The Spirit of Federation" will long be remembered for their fine eloquence and practical helpfulness; Miss Pauline Scarborough, who set forth in a most delightful lecture-recital "The Relation of Music to Life," illustrating her points by selections from Chopin; Mrs. Beatrice Forbes Robertson Hale, who kept her large audience at a high pitch of fascinated interest as she enthusiastically discussed and illustrated the subject of "Dress Reform"; and Mr. John Barrett, directorgeneral of the Pan-American Union, who spoke at length and illuminatingly on the responsibility of the United States toward the people of the LatinAmerican countries and urged a congress of the women of North and South America in 1920. Dr. E. Stagg-Whitin, of Columbia University and the National Committee on Prisons, gave much interesting and valuable information on the problems and need of prison reform. Other fine speakers. were Mrs. Belmont Tiffany, one of the vice-chairmen of the Red Cross Society, and Mr. Gordon Berry, field secretary of the National Committee for the Prevention of Blindness, both of whom dealt forcefully with their special topics. Several distinguished guests, including a number of pastpresidents of the Federation, were present from time to time and were introduced to the Convention.

On the whole, this gathering was declared by common consent to be the best ever held by the Federation, as the place of meeting also was pronounced ideal for the purpose. All general sessions and some of the conferences were held in the western end of the upper Pavilion, which had been admirably enclosed, steam-heated, and tastefully decorated. The North End Hotel itself, large as it is, proved insufficient to accommodate all the four hundred or more attendants upon the Convention; but such additional entertainment as was required was provided by the Majestic, the Queen, and other neighboring hostelries.

To any community the presence for three days of this progressive and influential body is of signal importance, not only as a stimulant to wider culture, but because of the kindling among its citizens of a livelier, more