The Hillsborough recorder., 1858-11-17


became at last moral stain upon society, a
shame to those who loved him, and the
"black sheep" Of the family. lie blossoned
into manhood blasphemer. rake and a
drunkard.
A year or two before the camp meeting
above alluded to, this young man was brought
home one evening insensibly drunk. The
next morning found him the victim OF a ter
rble fever, brought on by his sensual in
dulgences and extravagant course OF lie.
OF that fever he was after many fearful days,
and much tender care by his relatives. cured,
but it left him raving maniac, frightful
lunatic. So fearful were his mad efforts, it
became necessary to confne him in Luna
tic Asylum, to keep him from perpetrating
mischief on himself and others. He remain
ed there until within a few weeks of the
camp meeting, when he became sufficiently
restored to be returned to the custody Of his
family. He was still insane, but he was
mild and obedient, and under those circum.
stances he was taken with the family to the
camp meeting, the utmost vigilance being
exercised over him.
It was ii o'clock on the Sabbath above al
luded to- Two sermons had been preached
during the forenoon, and the "horn" had
been blown announcing the third. The
people flocked into the meeting by thousands,
for very popular divine was 10 preach at
that hour. Soon the rough seats beneath the
tall forest trees were filled, then the asles
became crowded, and still there was not
room for those who wished to hear the words
of the eminent minister. The owners of the
tenements looking into the space. in spirit
Of kindness, threw them open, aud they, too,
were filled with eager listeners. The scene
presented within that Church Of trees, a
natural Temple to the Living God, was strik-
ing and impressive. The vast area over
topped with the spreading branches Of the
modest beach and the bold leaves Of the ster-
ling oak, and bounded BY plain, rough tene-
ments, was crowded by dense mass Of peo-
pie with their eyes all directed 10 the plan
scailolding in front, known as the pulpit.
The eloquent minister, he who had sway
ed thousands by the words of truth, who
had caused the sinful to repent, and the
scofier to cry out for mercy, arose. All was
instantly hushed, and the stiffness of mid
night reigned IN that vast assemblage. He
opened book and read thereform. sweetly,
musically, a hymn, which he requested the
congregation to slug. II was an old, fami-
liar hymn, but the language seemed to pos
sess new beauties as it fell from his lips.
The music Of mpmeeting Who that
has ever heard il. has not paused to drink
the melody into his soul II comes with a
grandeur, yet soltness and sweetness that
can he heard no where else. The measured
strains of multitude of voices, united in
charming melody, and unbroken by walls,
swells in solemn grandeur, and roll delici-
ously through the forests, awakening reeeho-
ing cadence on every hand, and
Uniwis,ng all tie chains that tic
The hidden soul Of harmony
Such was the music produced when the
hymn read by the minister WIS sung 1T the
Sabbath camp meeting service. six thou.
sand voices were blended in one grand
chorus Of praise TO the Creator.
! After the hymn had been sung, the minis.
ter offered upa brief. eloquent prayer, and
then resumed his seat. lie had taken the
\ Bible on his knee and was searching for his
text, when he and the whole congregation
we're startled by the appearance Of the
Maniac Smith.
/ The Young lunatic. who was known 10
nearly all present. ascended the pulpit with
folded arms, bowed head and slow and steady
pace. Facing the immense congregation,
he gazed carefully around. and amid breath
less silence, spread forth his hands, and IN
the most thrilling manner said:
"YOur music is the music ofheayen. The
pretty birds in yonder tree tops are bearing
Il with their songs to the lips Of angels above,
I who will convey il as sweet incense 70 the
omniputent throne Of God. Joy is thine, q
Israel You possess the living soul. that re.
ioices in the light Of reason. that lave in the
waters Of the purest love. and rciOices IN the
glory Of immortality. lny soul Is dead! A
cherished child Of piets, becsme recreani
to the God who gave me being, and sold my
\ life, nv happiness, nv immortality. TO the
Prince OF Darkness. Like the traveller whu
has well troddcn path before him, but is
attracted to dangerous places by the gaudy
show Of some poisonous flower, have wan.
dered to nv death! Nv feet were placed
in the straight aud narrow way, were cover
ed with the sandals Of piety. aud the Chris
tian staff was placed IN nv hands, aud yet,
O, God! | wandered to NV death. The
gaudy baubes OF vice, the sho@y. yet thorny
flowers Of wickedness drew me aside. ] left
l the smooth surface and asCcnded e. the
mountains Of trouble, and vet ! gained not
the object 81 nv pursuit. On ! dashed.
reckless and Indifferent to nv fate. The
Wicked One. who sought nv destruction.
led me on, and I. cursed with remorse, col.
lowed. knew | was plunging into ruin,
but with soul already accused. what cared
~ Voluntarily had sought death. and i
eane. II was one night, aud oh fearful
night il was to me. Exhausted. doomed and
accused, was still clambering up the Noun.
tain Of Sin. came to chasnl, deep and
fearful. The lightnings Of heaven flashed
about me, aud the thunders Of 0mnipotence
pealed in my ears fell myself moving to.
wards that fearful chasin Death, eternal
death, stared me in the face, and screamed
\ piteously for help. No onr came 70 aid me.
Nv companions IN vice listened not to my