American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-01-15
Reported for the American Republican,
FIRST ANNUAL MEETING OF

IfE BAbIlMORE SABBATH ASSOCIATION.
In pursuance of notice published in the city
papers, the members of the Baltimore Sabbath
Association, with a large number of the friends
of the cause, among whom, as of course, were
noticed many of the fair and benevolent ladies
Of our city, met OH Monday evening last, at the
Rev. MIR. Hammers Church.
At o'clock, Rev. DR., kurtz, President of
the Association, took the chair, and after an
impressive and appropriate Address to the
Throne of the Heavenly Grace, by the Rev.
MIR. Hammer, proceeded to read the Report of
the Executive Committee for the past year.
From the following summary of portion of
the document, it will be found that the com
mittee have not been idle:
In presenting their first annual Report, the
Executive committee. as is usual on similar &C.
casions, find much cause for humiliation and
regret, and some ground on which they think
the society may be congratulated. They re-
greet that they have not been more faithful and
successful, and especially that they have not
been able to secure the services ola much larger
number of Christians in active corporation for
the promotion of the observance of the Chris
tan Sabbath. But they rejoice that it has
pleased Cod in his great mercy, to indicate
his sanction Of our poor efforts and to render
our feeble fundamentally somewhat effective
in the accomplishment of the very desirable
object aimed at by the society.
Unusual attention has been awakened in the
public mind, to the important interests of the
Christian Sabbath; the efficient efforts of the
pulpit have been more frequently directed to
this subject. The Executive committee have
secured the delivery of number of sermons
and lectures in vindicaton ofthe claims of the
Lords day. Ship owners and merchants en-
gagged in sailing vessels, have been solicited to
cooperate with US, by desisting from weighing
anchor on the Sabbath The proprietors of
soda-fountains and confectionery shops have
been urged to close their establishments on the
Lords day; the cooperation of our late excel
lent Mayor was sought and cheerfully render
ed in the way of sapction and persuasive effort
vast number Of facts relative to the desecra-
ton of the Lords day have been collected,
whereby your. committee have been the better
enabled to regulate their movements for the
furtherance of the cause contemplated. Excr-
tons have been employed to induce market peo-
pie to discontinue the running Of their vehicles
on Sunday afternoon, for the conveyance of
marketing. The association Of ministers for
''street preaching" kindly consented to aid the
cause, by making it special point in their
labors of love, to urge upon their audiences
strict observance of the day in question. A
considerable number of tracts appertaining to
the subject, have been circulated, The presi-
dent and directors of the Baltimore and Ohio,
and also of the Baltimore and Philada, and of
other Rail Road Companies, and in like man
ner of Canals, have been petitioncd by memo
rials numerously and respectfully subscribed to
discontinue the running of their cars and canal
boats on the day of the Lord A monthly con-
cert ofprayer, for the promotion, of the halow-
ing of the day, has been instituted, and thus
far encouragingly attended. Efforts have been
made to get up a series of meetings every 9TH
er week, to be addressed by our worthy minis
tiers or others, with special reference to the
objectn view, and to organize sub-societies.-
This project has indeed not yet fully succeeded,
but when accomplished, the most favorable re-
suits may be anticipated Circulars of varied
tenor have on different occasions been sent
forth, both in the city and abroad, all contem-
plating the promotion of the sanctication Of
the Lords day. Above all, a "Natonal Con-
vention," as is known to you all, was recently
held in our city, attended by an unusually large
and respectable number of Delegates, appoint
ed by almost every orthodox church, and from
all sections of our land; men eminent for piety,
distinguished for learning, enjoying in a high
degree the confidence of the public, and Justly
welding vast influence over society From
this Convention we look for results which will
extend to the ends Of the land, and tell with
energetic and salutary effec. upon the character
OF The people and the destiny of our country.
And last, though not least, we have a tract, at
present in process of publication, specially pre-
pared tor us by that distinguished jurist and
Judge Hall, of Wilmington, Del
aware, addressed to the illegal profession in the
United States" in regard to the claims of the
Sabbath, from which we anticipate highly
favorable influence.
Rev. Mr.. Hammer moved that certain modis|
tlcatlons of the Constitution proposed in the
Report be adopted. These amendments were
intended, LIST, to abbreviate the name of the
Society to "The Baltimore Sabbath Associa-
tom" I'd, to engraft clause by which indivi-
duals, on the payment of IS, should be made
llte-members; and Sd, to enlarge the Executive
committee from Ia to 80, exclusive of the Off
GERS, The motion being seconded, the ques-
ton was put and the amendments severally
adopted
On motion of c. w. Ridgely, committee
was appointed by the Chair to nominate the
officers and committee for the ensuing year.
Mr. Fielder Israel submitted his Report as
Treasurer, setting forth the reception into the
Treasury within the year 1914, of ssO.75, ex-
oenditures amounting to $3.50, and balance
On hand of S44.96.
These preliminary matters having been dis
posed of, the Rev. J. II. Merrill, formerly of
but now, we learn, connected
with the Rev. Mr. Hammers church, arose and
the audience on the GENERAL snb;ect
If the Sabbath. His remarks were exceeding
y pertinent and forcible, and made happy
upon his hearers. We doubt not
hat all who heard him, as we did, for the first
inc, will be glad to enjoy another opportunity
o receive instruction from his lips.
At the close of his remarks, the committee
o whom was confided that duty, made the fol-
owing nominations:
President-Rev B. Kurtz, d. ID.
Vice Presidents-Bishop Waugh, Capt VIM,
KuIo