Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-08-23
$500, which was partially insuredjn the Old
Worcester Mu nal.
sterling Camp Meeting.


WEDNESDAY EVENING.
Al seven O'Clock the audience were address
sed by Rev. j. W. Coolidge of oakdale, from
Hosea 4 Z" Ephraim is joined TO his idolS'
let him alone" The Bible is Il sure guide IN
every age; for God changes not, ana HIS
truth must ever be essentially the same
Hence the applicability OF the text TO our
times The speaker called the attention OF
the audience
Firstiy-Io the class Of persons aRuaea 10 I"
the tert. They were idoaters. ldolatry Is not
confined TO ancient times or to pagan nations
Peculiar forms OF idoatry universally prevail
The persons referred to were those Tor whose
reform great efforts had been made.
Secondy-The results implied IN beng lei alone'
1t points to the world of retrbutlon, ana ln'
wolves all the woes of final ruin. The speaker
presented his subject with his characteristic
faithfulness, and closely held the attention oil
the congregation.
AT nearly every public exercise the condl-
ton of our country has been SUBJECT oil spe-
cial prayer and remark. Prayers that the III
sttution of slavery may, during this war, De
seriously crippled or overIhrown, have called
forth ardent responses. Our highest civil ana
military officers have also been particularly
remembered at the Throne of Grace, and the
peculiar thrills of interest, pervading the au'
dience at such times, show that the patriotic
pulsations of the popular heart, under the ele-
inf pf
and strengthened.
THURSDAY MORNING.
The weather, which had been very excel
lent, was this morning somewhat unavoraole'
Clouds, heavy mists, and slight showers for
while, held many in suspense; but large au-
dence at last assembled, with eager interest
to catch the utterances of heavenly truth from
the servant of God. Rev. DIR. Kirk preached
from Luke, 18th chapter-he parable Of the
prodigaL son, After few very interesting III
troductory remarks upon the two beautiful
simiitudes of Christ's benevoence, at the
commencement of the chapter, he remarked
that this parable is a mirror, divinely given to
reflect the image of every man through the
variety of moral changes which he expert
ences, present and future. 1t exhibits three
phases the first all have passed through, the
second many have experienced, and the third
is yet future. This discourse was intensely
interesting, Astounding in the most purely
evangelical sentiments, for which his preach
ing has for many years been pre.eminently
distinguished. The sermon was followed by
remarks by Rev. Mr.. Sandford, of the Five
Points Mission, New York, who related touch
ing incidents connected with that mission.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON.
Rev. L. r. Thayer of Lowell, preached from
Rev. 8 +: Is 81 counsel thee to buy of me
gold tried in the fire, &c." The counsellor
here referred to is the Lord Jesus Christ
Topic-Ihe import Of this adUice LIST, Spiritual
blessings are compared to gold, in respect to
their value. True piety, like gold, will endure
trials. ID, White raiment illustrates the
beauty and purity of religion. Sd, The il
Illuminating influence of religion is taught by
the text. The speaker spoke with his usual
clearness and power, Notwithstanding the
thar -+asv. unfavnrani.=, una rtrr "ue'i-
ence were disturbed by occasional showers.
No case of sickness has, so far as we have
been able to learn, yet occurred on tine ground.
The sanitary condition of the encampment is
good 1t is finely situated on high and soping
ground, favored with fresh breezes and pure
water. A week spent under such favorable
circumstances is usually found to be promotive
of health, and hence these meetings in the
grove have become the favorite resort of many
of all denominations. With the Methodists,
they are regarded as their popular watering
places" at which they not only recruit their
physical health, but also drink from the
fountain Of living waters" and renew their
spiritual life. In some localities there may
be tendency to lose sight Of the spiritual OBJ
Jects OF these meetings. But whatever evils
may have sprung up elsewhere, the worship.
pers at Sterling appear to adhere to the origi-
nal object of this Neutrality-suspicious. inter-
ests being evidently paramount.
For several years this meeting has been
steadily growing in its proportions, as well as
in character and influence. For many of their
permanent fixtures and improvements, how
ever, the friends of the enterprise are indebted
to the Worcester and Nashua Railroad Com
pany, which has afforded material assistance.
Mr.. Bentley, its efficient superintendent, has
manifested a commendable spirit of liberality
and accommodations and several important
works have been undertaken, either wholly or
in part, by this company The Fitchburg and
Worcester Railroad Company has also con-
tributed in similar manner to further this
laudable object.
The officers of this meeting have been as
sste'! by genllemanIy and effective police, al
though they have had but little occasion TO ex-
ercise their peculiar prerogatives.
WORCESTER BAPTIST AssoCIATloN.-Th
forty second anniversary of the Worcester
Baptist Association, was held with the Baptist
Church in North Uxbridge, commencing at
ten o'clock A. NJ. Wednesday ,EAug. 81. AZ
ter devotional exercises conducted by Rev.
Messrs. Converse and Tucker, the annual ser.
mon was preached by Rev. j. M. Chick of
Grafton, from Acts S:35; "He preached unto
him Jesus" Subject-every christian a
preacher, and every sermorJesus. 1t was an
effective discourse, and listened to with quiet
interest and attention. The annual collection
for widows and orphans of deceased Baptist
min tore