, 1863-08-25

First Days Exercises.
From Our Own Correspondent

DEsP1A1SEs, Aug- q, 1863.
Tie fourth annual camp meeting of the II,
E. Church Of Chicago, commenced its services
at 1h.s place to-day, md they will be continu
ed un:n Saturday night next. This cloalng
en- Saturday is an innovation upon the preyi-
ous years observance, they having heretofore
lasted from Monday to Monday. This limo.
wilton Is justified upon the plea Of certain
moral and religious necessity. Heretofore,
the railroads atIording ample facilities, large
numbers hare visited the camp on tho Sabbath
from Chicago and other points, without apy
interest to join In Its religious exercises, but
simply as amusement seekers, and the camp
thus made secular resort for secular
pleasures, and ofteutimes debanchezy By per-
Sons who have no sympathy with those 1ho
gather for religious obee;vapces. Under
these ecircumstanees,a and ndantfcipatipg no ab.to-
ment Of the evil this yeaz, II tho camp were
continued as heretofore, the author.
1s ,ties 5si5g, 1aEing tie th+ matter @ y charge
on Saturday night. OF course some who are
really anxious to join In these religious cxer-
cites, and find 1t difficult to escape from bpsi-
ness on secular days, wiu be disappointed;
but 70 doubt ali Will readily aeqniescc and
even justify the action of The committee under
the circumstances 1t mar be proper to add
that the railroad company offered to 1elin.
quish the running Of q Sunday train, but the
committee deemed It proper to adhere to
their arrangement for this year at least.
The camp camp ground Is tho same
III ie5 the R9st I edet 5euF yas
the Desplaines 1iVer, about half a mile, in q
northeastesly direction, from Desplaines Sta
tion. The ground to day is somewhat moist
and spopey, but day Of sunshine will place
1t In an excellent condition. This day, up to
twilight, has been exhausted In putting up
temporal necessities Of those who attend. The
public religious exercises were commenced at
TX o'clock.
Notwithstanding the insospitable character
Of the weather, the attendance today is quite
1arge-la1ger, it is said, than at any previous
promises to be one Of unusual interest to the
Christian community. Many Of the leading
minds In the church are expected to be pres.
ert and lend Interest TO the occasion. Rev.
Dr, IdanY, Rev. Dr.. Collier and other clergy
men Of prominence a1e here to-day, with
coats off and sleeves rolled up, lending Wig
oTous hand to these temporal preparations
The public religious e1erciees wero 11augu-
rated, this evening. with sermon by Rev. L.
Hawkins, Of the Chicago Desplaines Street
Church. His text w1s from Matthew. chap
Il, y, -" tf11L HeHL ye 0ut III LHc WuQerDes5
to eee?" If nun would succeed, he must
have definite object In view. The object we
have in view In coming out here is the saliva.
ton Of souls, and VIC must never lose sight
Of It, but always rursua 1t with all the ear
nes'ness and s1gor at our command;
The exercises for tomorrow {Taesday, the
25th) will be as follows: Sermons at 85S and
10x o'clock n. m, and 3 and ~ O'Clock p. IN !,
with Intervening prayer meetings and other
exercises.
The preachers for the day have not yet been
announced; but as there arc large number
ent, the sermons will no doubt be Of high |
order. Ho Hoo.