Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-08-22

ment," &C. 1t is turning away from sweet,
ness TO bitterness, from light to darkness from
honor to dishonor, from God to satan. Sd,
life is so brief and uncertain, that we cannot
afford to turn away from God, and peril our
eternity for the trifles of an hour This very
interesting sermon was followed by an eXhor
tation by Rev. Isaac Dennison, and others.
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.
The attendance upon the meeting has great
ly increased to day. The number present is
fully up to those of other years, and has ex
ceeded the expectations of all in these days Of
civil disturbance and pecuniary embarrass-
ment. The class of people who have attend
ed these meetings thus far is worthy of special
notice But few of ''the rabble" have made
their appearance either in or around the
ground An appearance of responsibility and
intelligence is everywhere. exhibited and not
outstanding the vast crowd most excellent
order and quiet prevails. These things ind.
cate that camp meetings are rapidly winning
upon public favor, and are destined to be a per-
manent institution of the church. Up to this
date nearly one hundred ministers have been
present.
A powerful sermon was preached by Rev.
jefferson Hascall of Shrewsbury, late presid'
ing elder of the Worcester district. Text
Cor. 21-5. All great divine and saving
truths are old. Nothing which vitality con-
Germs human welfare has been left to be dis
covered. The text belongs to this class. OF
| 81. Paul the speaker said that CHS bodily
presence was weak and his speech contempt
| ible," and yet he was divinely selected to be
| the first to open the mission of the Gospel to
the Gentle world God designed his church
to rely on his power for the salvation OF men.
Firstly-TAe efficiency Of the Spirits denlonStrd-
tion in The Saiuation of men. LIST. The spirit
gives indubitable conviction of the guilt OF
| sin. Human rhetoric and logic, if ever so
faultless or powerful, cannot extort the excla-
| nation. "God be merciful to me sinner. -
| ID. 1t gives an indubltable conviction OF the
| pardon Of sin. The holy spirit is the only
agent that can convey this conviction 1t is
| Gods prerogative to forgive, and also to give
| knowledge of forgiveness. He will not en-
|
to his fellow man, nor will he leave it to I'M
| certain influence or conjecture. However cor
| rect mans creed may be, or however sedate,
| he is not christian without the spirits con-
viction of pardon. 8. 1t also affords an evil
| dence of heirship.
SecOndly-7he importance Of this doctrine l.
1t preserves genuine experience OF the high
est and most vital truths of religion. 2. 1t is
| necessary to the success of the church IN her
| efforts for the salvation of men. The church
must take hold of the great truth that God is
the only great power in the universe, and
never quail before the strength of inhdehty or
| any embarrassments that may arise. .. 1t is
inseparably connected with the proclamation
of all the truths of the gospel, and has its full
est manifestation in connection with preaching
of the eternal sanctions of Gods laws.
This discourse was so full OF great truths
and vigorous thoughts, that though happily
conceived and forcibly uttered by the speaker,
yet it is impossible to convey in this briet alb
stract just idea of its character and merits
For one hour and half the thousands OIL
hearers were held with undated interest
AT the close of the sermon Rev NJ M
Parkhurst, first lieutenant of Company X al
gave most pointed and rousing exhortation
to the impenitent to Immediately submit to the
authority of God.
The meeting thus far has been interesting
| and instructive to an unusual degree. Its
| spiritual pulsations seem to beat quicker and
stronger. The sermons already preached have
| produced an excellent effect. But one opin-
ion prevails among those who are the most
intimately acquainted with the spirit of the
meeting, and that is that sit has begun we'll"
So far as we have been able to learn, there is
good order in the neighborhood. This is ow-
ing 20 great extent to the good people of
Sterling, who have, with scarcely an excep.
ton, been fayorably disposed toward this en-.
terprise from the beginning, and have not har-
bored or countenanced immoralities or dis
turbances within their limits. This speaks
well for the character and intelligence of the
town.