Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-08-30
Sterling Camn Meeting.

Sterling Camp Meeting.
Before the hour of public worship, on
| Thursday evening, it commenced raining and,
for most of the time, until eight o'clock, it
poured in torrents. Preaching at the stand
was, OF course, out of the question, but earn
est and ferved sermons were delivered in sew
eral of the larger tents, and numerous prayer
meetings held in the smaller ones The peo-
pie were generally we'll protected and COM
Portable. One earnest christian brother thank
| ed God for the rain, to clear the air, and to
keep the people in the tents, where they could
pray SO much better. The evening was hal
| lowed by unusual manifestations of the divine
presence. Rev. Mr. Thomas, of Charlton,
preached in the beautiful tent of the Laurel
| street society. His theme was suggested by
the words of Paul, in Cor, 5 IA :l5; E'For
the love of Christ constraineth u.s." &c. The
motives which inspired the zeal of the apostle
were first exhibited by the speaker. He view
ed the world as dead in sin, as Christ also re-
garded it. The universal atonement was next
considered. Many persons, and the apostle
among the rest, had, at that time, experienced
Its power The conclusion was earnestly set
forth, that all who live spiritually, should
henceforth live only unto God The effort
was cordially received by the hearers. So
great was the interest, at the various places
OF worship, that the ground was not still till
half an hour after the bell had rung for ST.
lence.
Friday morning dawned with a clear sky
and fine, bracing atmosphere. At eight
o'clock, the bell rang for the annual ''Love
Feast" An hour and half was filled with
brief but glowing confessions of faith and
variations of christian experience, interspers-
ed with sacred songs and heartfelt responses
Nearly tlco hundred persons spoke. A high
wind, which violently swept the overhangng
boughs, prevented general hearing, but did
not, otherwise, seriously interfere with the
meeting.
AT 10. Rev. G. t. Eastman. of Saugus,
preached the regular discourse for the morn.
ing, from the words already quoted as the
text of the previous evenings sermon "The
love of Christ constraineth us" From DIFF
terent stand point, however, was the lesson of
the text considered. The general i'll success
OF ordinary religious effort was attributed to
lack Of proper expectation Of good, on the
part Of the church; of well adapted means;
Of a systematic plan, and of requisite earn
estncss in the work. There was too much
ambition In huild M , eoo+ =, ,a;,, A..
tation Of revivalists and to have "a good
time" The constraining or compelling love
OF Christ operated in two ways; through the
christians love for sinners, and through his
love for Christ. If a sinner was too mean to
be lored, for his own sake, he should be
sared for Christ's sake; he should be rescued
from the very mouth of hell. The effect of
the sermon was seen in the tears of the audi
ence. Father Jennison and Brothers Abbott,
Gould and Parkhurst followed with appropri-
ate eXhortations.
At two P. NJ, a dense crowd, of several
thousand, assembled in front of the stand
nearly filling the area, within the circle of
tents. Rev. j. II. Twomby preached from
dallauons 6;1 Whatsoever man Soweth,"
&c. The leading proposition was, that human
actions produce often their kind; shown by
the analogy of every planted field, and by the
positive assertions of God to his people in
different ages; also exhibited in the history
OF nations, prominently in the Affections of
our own land. 1t is also recorded in the con-
seriousness OF every man. The general truth
being proved, its particular manifestations
were considered. Our daily conduct was an
intimate connection with, and effect upon our
present life; our physical development, our
moral characters, our regulations 1t al
so affects the divine manifestations towards
us, and will form the basis of our fu-
ture laws and characters Sundry obiec-
tons were then answered, and the salient
truth OF the discourse applied to the spiritual
interests of the people. Timely repentance
and godly life will bring forth the fruit of
present joy and eternal life. The whole SER
mon glowed with inspiring eloquence, and
held the vast audience to the last word Rev.
J. w. Dadmun exhorted with power and sum
moned the inquirers and the penitent to the
altar Some twenty-five or thirty came, and
then followed a protracted season of prayer,
singing, and confession of faith, whose effect,
it is believed, will not soon be forgotten.
| SOUTHBRIDGE-Mee have hoon LII