Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-08-18

r ne people nocked into the meeting by
5e thousands for a very popular divine was
o to preach at that hour. Soon the rough
e seats beneath the tall forest trees were
IS filled, then the aisles became crowded. and
q still there was not room for those who
If wished to hear the words of the eminent
n minister. The owners of the tenements
If looking into the space, In spirit of kind
e ness, threw them open, and they, too, were
l. well filled with eager listeners. The scene
d, presented within that Church of Trees, a
e natural Temple to the Living God, was
e striking and impressive. The vast area
l. overtopped with the spreading branches of
3 the modest beach and the bold leaves of
it the sterling oak, and boundaADSv dense
aoqge lo te fplain seer EYES all directed
) the pulpit.
II The eloquent minister, he who had
swayed thousands by the words of truth,
e who had caused the sinful to repent, and
the scoffer to cry out for mercy, arose. All
h was instantly hushed, and the stiffness Of
t midnight reigned in that vast assemblage.
He opened book and read therefrom,
softly, sweetly, musically, hymn, which
he requested the congregation to sing. 1t
was an old, familiar hymn, but the lan-
guage seemed to possess new beauties as it
fell from his lips.
The music of camp-nieeting Who
that has ever heard it, has not paused to
drink the rich melody into his soul 1t
comes with a grandeur, yet softness and
sweetness that can be heard no where else.
The measured strains of multitude of
4 Il i
d tunbrokrrr- -vvalIe, -esvell IN solemn gran
e. deur. and roll deliciously through the for
IN ests, awakening re-echoing cadences on
St every hand, and
p "Untwisting all the chains that tic
~ The hidden soul of harmony"
,st Such was the music produced when the
,Ie Ehylnn read by the minister was sung at this
re- Sabbath c6urp meeting service. Six thou
nd sand voices were blended in one grand
nts chorus of praise to the Creator.
nd After the hymn had been sung the min
M ister offered up a brief eloquent prayer,
&c land then resumed his seat. He had taken
th- the Bible on his knee and was searching
IS for his text when he and the whole con-
de gregation were startled by the appearance
are of the Maniac Smith.
eds The young lunatic, who was known to
re- nearly all present, ascended the pulpit with
in folded arms, bowed head and slow anc
,;+h steady pace. Facing the immense eeeeaee
oso,I ration, he gazcd carefully around, anr
a. amid breathless silence, spread forth hi
,rs hands, and in the most thrilling manne
ON said
,ab eYour music is the music of heaven
2 The pretty birds in Wonder tree-tops ar
tho bearing it with their songs to the lips {
= angels above, who will convey it as swet
,orv incense to the omnipotent throne Of Coz
~ Joy is thine, O Israel. You possess th
nds living soul, that rejoices in the light of re;
sab M son. that lave in the waters of the pure
as love, and reioices in the glory Of immo
at a tality. My soul IS dead A cherlshS
.Iino child of piety, l became recreant to Il
hose God who gave me being, and sold my lit
ance nv happiness, my Immortality, to Il
,o,od Prince of Darkness. Like the traveler-wl
7dn- has a well-trodden path before him, but
vbiIe attracted to dangerous places by the gau
rarv show of some poisonous flower, have wa
aJed dered to my death My feet were plac
Sons in the straight and narrow way, were ct
cnni- cred with the sandals of piety, and
~ T. Christian staff was placed in my hands, a
. eor vet, O, God wandered to my death. l
,1oo+ M gaudy baubles Of vice, the snowy, yet thol
flowers of wickedness drew me aside.
,vos left the smooth surface and assembled
,;od . mountains of trouble, and yet gained
~ ar of the object of my pursuit. On | dash
rbola = reckless and Indifferent to my fate !
,od;st Wicked One, who sought my destruct
e oone led me on; and /, cursed with remorse,
.on1o lowed knew was plunging into T
, ,,orY but with a soul already aecursed,
NV ora cared /? Voluntarily | had sought de
ber ) = If and it came. 1t was one night, and oil
! h;n, fearful night it was to me. Exhaus
: +ho doomed and accused, | was still clam
= 'A1 ;ne I'D the Mountain of Sin. | came
;,dron chasm deep and fearful. The hghtn
Vows of heaven flashed about me, and the Il
.w ~ m ders of Omnipotence pealed in my eal
h,rcbr felt myself moving towards that fe
~ was chasm! Death, eternal deatl, stared
, = oarIy in the face, and | screamed piteously
;oos of help. No one came to aid me. My
root;on panions in vice listened not to my
,oJ1 ,,darod and he to whom | had sold my soul
A. 10 ded me in mockery! was move
"a ond nearer and nearer to the precipice.
~ af the the ticallv | grasped each shrub and
IN mon prominence which laJ in my way, but
a 4 him crumbled in my hands. | reached
: : He edge Of the precipice. | glanced I'M
enor - deep abyss of death Oh terror, t
[ plead Heaven for mercy, but, great
it was too late!
ON Voc ANY sin-covered soul trernbled wit
: drrnE agony it suffered, and was piteons in
;;etin - u,' of peals. But the thunler told me
sons, sensual iate.' The lightning told me, Too
! ofI;fe and gracious Heaven, my own Gov
= foarfni :. l soul told me too atcr felt myse
,;s rela- ling oves the precipice. | clung wi
80 ,aan;- nacity to every thing within my reac
: ssoro ,o his nothing could save me. ! shrieke
:, confne on groaned Down operdition srertnsy
In, from, Here the maniac paused. His WV
.nd ntb traiture of hiseareer, had startled the
hin few congregation, some ofwlom shriked o
be he as he represented his soufs frightfl
trrnod 70 cent into perdition. He paused
:, Iii Ill lonlv. Then calm again, he softly
e s;eat St'i and - il am living without soul! Te
90 , +oLen @ iple of God, may sing yeur praises,
'as -. LaIsveet incense to your souls. But
eClhSSf eno Usnd hara no arain became ey