The ushers maintain an organization of their own and have funds in their treasury which from time to time they dispense for such purposes as they find desirable.

Thornley Chapel

knowledged the services of the ushers by tendering a banquet to them and their wives at a convenient time during the season, and has likewise provided them with tickets of admission to the various entertainments.

THE TABERNACLE

The original Tabernacle was a large tent erected on Ocean Pathway just outside of Sea Drift Heights. It was purchased second hand for $450. In course of time it became leaky. It was resized and a lining added. Seats of homemade construction were used. It is said that when placed upon a better foundation these seats gave "great satisfaction." A permanent stand was erected in the Tabernacle, and every other seat had a reversible back for the accommodation of the Sunday school.

In addition to the large Tabernacle tent another, known as "Dr. Ward's tent," was used for religious purposes, Dr. Ward presented his tent, which cost $165, to the Association "to be held exclusively for religious purposes." Dr. Ward's tent was located to the north of the Auditorium.

In 1875 Dr. Stokes recommended the construction of a frame building, or partially frame, which would afford protection in time of storm and permit additional meetings to be held. The use of canvas curtains was suggested for the sides as being cheaper and better adapted to the needs.

A GROUP OF WELL-KNOWN LANDMARKS

Although the chief interest of Ocean Grove naturally centers in the Auditorium, whose evolution from a little cluster of bare pine seats in the open air to the vast proportions of the present edifice was nothing less than phenomenal in its rapidity, yet by no means all the fragrant traditions and significant associations of the place cling to that imposing structure. In the accompanying illustration are to be seen several familiar landmarks, without which Ocean Grove would hardly be Ocean Grove.

First in point of age among the buildings erected for religious uses which are now in actual existence here is the Janes Memorial Tabernacle. Only a few readers, it may be, can remember the time when this site was occupied by a big canvas tent, in which all large meetings except those at the "Preachers' Stand" were held. For it was in 1877 that the tent was pronounced no longer adequate, and in the early spring of that year the erection of the Tabernacle was begun.

The original plan was simply to erect a frame supporting a permanent roof, using curtains around the sides for protection against sun, rain, and wind. Only after the work was under way was the decision reached to make a complete and permanent inclosure, "as being the best and cheapest in the end."

This building was completed in the comparatively early summer and on the evening of Saturday, July 14, was formally opened and dedicated

to the worship of God and the memory of Bishop Edmund S. Janes, who was recently deceased, and who may almost be said to have finished his life work at Ocean Grove. For the last of the many hundreds of churches which this eminent bishop had dedicated was that of Saint Paul's, in this place, between which official act and his death he spoke but twice in public.

The dedicatory service at the Tabernacle was performed by President Elwood H. Stokes, addresses being delivered by the Rev. Thomas O'Hanlon, the Rev. Joseph Knowles, and Hon. Hiram Price, of Iowa. One of the most notable events of this occasion was thus described by President Stokes in his next annual report:

"At the close of the exercises, which were of a very delightful character, a basket collection was taken, to aid in our expenses-the first one ever asked on these grounds for this purpose-amounting to $52. These collections were continued on the Sabbath throughout the season, and once a day through the Camp Meeting, with the heartiest approval of the people, who have our thanks for their generous aid in this direction."

What a precedent was then established!

Much of the religious history of Ocean Grove has been made in the Janes Memorial Tabernacle. For years it was the meeting place of the always famous Bible Class. In later times the primary department of the summer Sunday school has been held in it. From the very beginning it has been associated with the morning Bible reading and holiness meetings throughout the season, as well as with the popular twilight services, to which could be added innumerable gatherings for different purposes and often of great importance.

Thornley Chapel, though the smallest of public buildings in Ocean Grove, is one with peculiarly pleasant associations. These associations are preserved here too as in no other on the grounds. For while the larger structures are almost invariably spoken of by their general names-Auditorium, Tabernacle, Temple-this is always named as Thornley Chapel. In it also is framed the portrait of the man whom it memorializes.

The number of those to whom either name or face has a definite and personal meaning is growing smaller every year. Yet there are many still, in Ocean Grove and otherwhere, who cannot hear the one or see the other without a vivid and delightful remembrance of one of the bestknown and best-loved men in this place during the first twenty years of its history.

Joseph H. Thornley was a charter member of the Ocean Grove Association. Not only this, but it was in his tent, at the suggestion of his wife, that the first religious meeting was held on these grounds, on the evening of July 31, 1869. He was a man of the highest integrity and at the same

time of the most genial and joyous temperament. From the beginning of the organization until the end of his life he held the office of superintendent of the summer Sunday school, and not a child was there in all the place who did not adore this man, who was never too busy or too absorbed in greate matters-if there are any-to give a smile and a merry word or a bit of kindly help to the least of the little folk.

It was in February of 1889 that Mr. Thornley was called home. Only a little while before his death he had talked earnestly of what was already known to his friends as one of the dearest wishes of his heart-a smaller building in Ocean Grove for the holding of the many meetings which did not require the space of the Auditorium, Tabernacle, or Temple. Shortly after he had passed away the idea of a Thornley Memorial Chapel, which would realize this desire, took a strong hold of some of his friends. A committee was formed, sufficient money was raised entirely independently of the Association, the work was quickly done, and on Sunday, June 30, of the same year, Thornley Chapel, free of debt and equipped with organ and suitable furnishings, was opened for use.

Since that time many important meetings have been held in the pretty little building. It has been used continuously for the Helping Hand and Mothers' Meetings of successive Camp Meetings, and has long been the gathering place of the children for their special services. On every Sunday afternoon from the close of each summer season until the opening of its successor a meeting is held as a connecting link between the nine o'clock Tabernacle meetings of successive years.

By no means unworthy of notice also among these treasured landmarks is the quaint little pavilion known as far back as memory can reach in Ocean Grove as Beersheba. This, as the time-honored inscription in the pavilion informs us, was the first well bored in the Ocean Grove grounds, having been driven in June, 1870. At first it was merely a common pump, with a tin cup attached to a chain. In 1883 a "new and improved pump and other fixtures, by which four or five persons could drink at the same time," were added "at a cost of $21.30." Still later running water was brought here, so that one's thirst could be slaked without the effort of pumping.

The situation of Beersheba was always the most convenient possible for a public drinking-fountain, and its waters were exceedingly popular. They have been declared, indeed, by many of the unnumbered thousands who have quaffed them in years gone by to be the best in all Ocean Grove. This belief may have been largely a matter of sentiment. Among the eight hundred wells which preceded the great Artesian plant it is probable that there were many as pure and cool as this. Nevertheless, Beersheba has always been a blessing and is lovingly remembered as one of the "institutions" of Ocean Grove.

THE HOLINESS MEETING

"One of the most delightful things connected with Ocean Grove," wrote some one in the earliest days of Ocean Grove, whose name is not recorded, "was Dr. Ward's meeting for the promotion of holiness, carried on from day to day in this large tent. To see that dear Presbyterian elder surrounded by such crowds of Christians of all denominations, not only his own, but Baptists, Episcopalians, Dutch Reformed, and others, as well as Methodists, and all in loving harmony, was a heavenly sight. They had varied views on minor points of theology, no doubt, but there was no clashing on the duty and privilege of loving God, with all the heart, and together they strove to get near to Jesus."

These meetings were held in Dr. Ward's tent located just south of Ocean Pathway and east of the sand bank known as Sea Drift Heights.

With the erection of the Tabernacle, it became the home of the Holiness Meeting, of which Dr. and Mrs. W. C. Palmer took charge in 1878.

For some time during Dr. Palmer's illness, resulting in his death in 1883, Mr. Thornley had charge of the Holiness Meeting, assisted by H. Dixon, of Canada. Mrs. Palmer returned to the meeting late in the season and was assisted by Mrs. Mary D. James.

The meetings continued from year to year after the death of Dr. Palmer, in charge of his widow, Sarah Langford Palmer, and Joseph H. Thornley-one of the lay members of the Association. At the opening meeting in 1889, Mrs. Palmer was given charge, though Mr. Thornley had passed to his reward. She continued in charge until, through physical disability, she relinquished her leadership with the season of 1892. Then the Rev. George Hughes, a member of the Association, became the leader in 1893 and continued during 1894.

In 1895 the Rev. J. Reeves Daniels, of the Newark Conference, also a member of the Association, became the leader. In 1897 it appears that "the attendance has been so large that in most of the days of the camp the Tabernacle was unable to hold the throng who pressed for entrance."

Then for a period beginning with 1898, the meeting was in charge of the devotional Committee, consisting of Bishop FitzGerald, the president of the Association; Dr. Ballard, the vice president, and Dr. J. H. Alday. But the attendance declined, and in 1900 the hour of meeting was changed from nine o'clock in the morning to three thirty in the afternoon.

A return to the morning hour was made in 1902, with the president of the Association, Bishop FitzGerald, usually in charge, with Dr. Alday and the vice president. The next year a change in the character of the service was made, and it became necessary to suppress certain enthusiasts who went beyond the limits of orthodoxy.