Such days as this are to me like an oasis on the desert.  A respite from toil, & the noise of camp life, & then to hear a sermon from a man whose capacities are equal to the ocasion.  Although the speaker makes no claim to what the world calls greatness, yet his earnest & simple manner charmed me - & his thoughts as they clustered around the Cross were sublime.  At times during the quite lenghthy discourse I could not help acknowledge to myself that I feel a partiality for those of our own sect & beliefs - The tenets of the gospel as proclaimed by ministers of the Baptist church are so plain & simple, that I wonder at myself for not embracing them long ago.  But as the Old man venerable said to day after he took the stand & stood with fixed eyes on his congregation until all were as still as the grave - "The human - heart - naturally - how - wicked -"  How long I have carried this wicked & stubborn heart!  And yet even now how naturally rebellious, that I am led to exclaim "Oh wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death." - Were it not for the gracious promises all through the Scriptures - what would poor fallen man do;  But there is a fountain opened in the house of David for the cleansing of sin - Yes blessed be His Name the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.  And although clouds may obscure His face - & thorns & dangers - sorrow & pain may beset our pathway through this world of disappointments Let us look away beyond the present scenes to that mansion He is preparing for those who trust in Him.  Let us look up to Him as to a Father trusting our all to His care - for we doeth all things well - There is no condition so alarming as when we rely on our own strength - to apease the wrath of an ofended God.  O that we knew our duty & would perform it
