Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-08-28

Sterling Camp Meeting.
Wednesday evening the sermon was preach
ed by Rev. j. NJ. Bailey of Leominster, from
Matt. 4 II :-"Repent for the kingdom of
heaven is at hand" The nature OF repent
ance was clearly set forth, and the duty was
very appropriately enforced. The sermon
was well delivered, and produced good i'm
preston. 1t was followed by exhortations by
Rev. c. Noble and Rev. b. w. Gorham of
Binghampton, New York.
Thursday morning was deliciously cool
The smiling heavens gave encouraging prom
Use that the excessive drenching of the previ-
GUS day was not likely to be repeated. The
encampment had become sufficiently dry for
comfort, the tent companies had suffered COM.
paratively little during the rain, and at an ear
ly hour multitudeS throughout the neighbour
ing towns prepared to accept the invitation
so kindly extendedby the favoring elements.
Long trains of well-laden vehicles were soon
converging towards the ground from all direc-
tons, and the railroad trains poured out in
surging masses their animated burdens. AT
ten O'Clock, when the signal for public wor-
ship at the stand had been given, an immense
crowd Of listeners assembled, completely fill
ing the seats, the intermediate passages, and
the surrounding space, nearly as far back as
the tents. 1t is probably no exaggeration to
say that six thousand souls were numbered
in that densely crowded multitude.
The services were opened with the custom
airy devotonS, and continued by Rev. Mr..
Bridge of Provincetown in a sermon from the
familiar text "And they all with one consent
began to make excuse" &c. With appropri-
ate observations upon the self-inposed moral
degradation of man, the provision of divine
mercy, and its rejection by the sinner,
the speaker humorously reviewed the
excuses detailed in the text. He show
ed the absured folly of the hidden
but recreant guest IN staying away from
the feast for any reason so triiing and pro-
ceeded to discuss the pretexts so commonly
urged by modern sinners to justify their ne
glect Of duty. They allege that they have no
time to be christians; that they do not under
stand religion, and therefore cannot seek it;
that it is not convenient; that many lose
piety; that christians are all hypocrites, with
other very trivial and familiar excuses. These
were handled in familiar and pungent STYLE
by the speaker, and their falsity and folly
shown by variety OF argument and illustra-
ton. The meeting closed with devotional
avoro;sos of NJ oh
In the afternoon the assembly was largely in
increased from even the immense gatheringof
the morning. A collection to defray expenses
was announced by Rev. d. E. Chaplin Of
Worcester, who playfully explained its object
and put the people into good humor. After
the chats were passed." short season of
prayer of thanksgiving for the success of our
national arms in the late engagements. a
few impressive moments of silent devotion
were succeeded by audible prayers from sew
eral clergymen. The regular discourse of the
occasion was then preached by Rev. B. w.
Gorham, from Prov. Is: 15,-'The way of
the transgressor is hard" A very lucid expo
sition of the text was given in few words, on
the various points VI interest ueVclOpeu, as
suggested by it.
l. The way of the sinner is hard, because
it leads him directly contrary to his own rea-
son and judgement. He knows he is on the
wrong road, yet stubbornly continues to pur-
sue il.
.. Its hard, because of the inevitable war
fare that RACES in the heart of the transgres-
sor. No sinner is at peace. The evil forces
within him fill him with torment
3. 1t is hard, because there's no agreement
between the forces Of sin. Evil inclinations
are all the while pulling in opposite directions
like ''a host of blood hounds, within him.
tearing out his vitals."
4. 1t is hard, because the sinner is a
slave. He has a calling yoke upon his neck
5. 1t is hard, because the sinner is fighting
against God. The end must be hopeless de.
feat and drath. The utter helplessness and
everlasting ruin involved in the death of the
transgressor was set forth at considerable
length, and with singular impressiveness and
power.
A PATENT has been awarded to Dwight Rus
sell, NJ, D., of Milford for Improvement in
powder injectors.