The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-05-12
ANNIVERSARY WEEK.
II o u II Il III ID A Y.
Proceedings Of the American Tract Society,
American Anttslavcry Society, Church
AntiSlavery Society, Consolidated
Convention Of Baptist Societies,
No., &C., 10.
THE AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY.

THE SLAVERY QUESTION AGAIN-ExCITING pRBArr
The thirty fourth annual meeting Of the American Tract
Society held yesterday at the Academy Of Music and
as usual their proceedings enlvened by the intro
duction and discussion Of the nterminabe topic OF ss.
very Piccoiomip herself drew together fuller
house, nor afforded her auditors entertainment.
The business meeting announced to be held nine
O'CLOCK IN tho forenoon and at that hour the meeting
called to order by the President Chief Justice Wams,
OF Connecticut, who called upon the Rev. Gardner Spring.
d. D., TO address the throne Of grace
After the prayer, Rev. Dr. DE wIrr, chairman or tho
Executive Committee, submitted q brief statenent an
follows
Before the society engages In its business desire in
the name OF the Executive Committee to offer some re.
marks which will occupy but few moments The recur-
renee of another anniversary furnishing the details Of the
operations Of the society during the past year. is we'll
fitted to inspire gratitude 10 the head OF the church. and
should draw our hearts IN common bonds of faith and
owe TO Him and each other. The position in which the
ocety is placed in the onward growth and Of
Us bepefceDt influence leads minds TO revert TO the
period OF its formation ihriyfour years SINCE to
acknowledge the divine favor which has attended il.
There not many surviving of those who were active
the councils and which led the organza
ton and establishment of this society. Three of the
Executive Committee the Treasurer, the Chairman Of
tbe Finance Committee, the senior Secretary and
also the Recording Secretary were prominent in
these counsels and measures, and the three former
were appointed to the offices they sustain at its hrst
organization Most Of those WHO associated with
them at that time have ceased from their abors and
tered into their rest.
may here be allowed personal Renaissance was
hen residing In retired country CHARGE and was Invited
TO visit New York and take part in the public at
inc formation OF the American Tract Society. the deep
impression which pervaded that marked,
and all appeared TO feel that they sttng heav-
emily plscos and that the dew Of heaven rested upon
them was kindly invited by the Rev Dr. Minor whose
precious memory remains fresh and fragrant in the whole
Christian community 70 dine with him. The engrossinp
topic among the small number OF Christian friends OF df
Christian denominations then assembled, at his
house was the character and prospects Of the Society
foT 1harx 1r
words, but the sentiments uttered by DR.. Minor are
distinctly lodged in my mind He said that he viewed
the formation OF the society as most important
terestng event. 1t would solve the problem whether
Christians in different divisions of the church remaining
faithful TO their UNCONVENTIONAL views interests could
unite on basis Of evangelical truth all and so
labor together for ts diffusion and its saving influence
The society being national institution, 1t would enlist
Christians not only OF different denominations, but of
every section Of land and prove bond of union The
hope also expressed that in its successful operations
its influence might in time pervade the world The vision
and hope then entertained by Dr. Minor was permit
ted TO realize during his efficient and faithful labors az
Chairman Of the Publishing aud Executive Com.
mit,ees for twenty yeaIs, and doubtless the full
flmeDt Of them cheered his last moments. These
principles, entertained by the founders of this nsu-
ton, have guided the Executive Committee The problem
is solved ard Christians meet and unite here the COM
ground of evangelical truth We point 10 the great
the truth as it Jesus, and record the fact that
during thirty four years dscordant feeling has ever
entered into the deliberations and Intercourse Of the
mee Let the history OF the operations OF the society bo
carefully studied and there will be found therein the best
and satisfying testimony to the range aud ciency
Of its peneceDt influence al home, and spreading
out the world The system OF Copor,age WATCH has been
for humber of years employed becomes aud more
commended by the fruits 4 produces. II explores the
wants ana waste places o. our extended country, and
brings the truths of the gospel in direct contact
and sympathy with the minds aud hearts of men.
The committee feel the great responsibility, we'll as
high privilege Of being entrusted with experimenting the
interests Of mis- institution Conscious of their liability
they feel their need OF divine wisdom and aid They
grateful the head of church for ais favor and
blessing and 10 the Christian community for their
hhued contributions and cooperation during the year past.
We gladly meet the members OF the society in the calm
ana peaceful consciousness Of having Sought faithfully
discharge our trust and fulfil duty May the same
blessed influence which united and oemented all hearts in
love Christ and his at the formation the
cety and which continued through succeeding annver-
carries rest upon this meeting Tnus while the Holy Spirit
visiting the churches and the world remarkable
opening 10 Christian effort, may the society be
enabled to increase and enlarge its operations.
The PRESIDENT announced that the next business was
the election of officers exclusive OF the Executive Com
mitee), by vote of the members and directors
Inc Rev. Or. MCGEE offered the following resolution
Resolved That the of the society for the ensu
ing BIZ the same those OF last year. except that the
Hon William O. Alexander, OF New jersey be presi-
dent, and the Rev. Christopher b. Gadsden Of Chares-
,on south Carolina be director IN place Of L. F. Bangs,
Esq and Rev. DR.. Johns, deceased.
Mr. X D. BENEDICT sad be desired 10 offer a resolution,
and have put before the resolution offered by Dr. McGee
which had moi been seconded. (Appause.)
Rev Mr. LEWIS, of Sullivan county, called Mr. Benedics
be received except by way of amendment. (Cheers.)
Mr. BENEDICT insisted that his resolution should be first
put and that DR. Mcees motion having second
ed before he (BenedicD addressed the Char, not
before the Convention.
The PRESIDENT could say that DR. McGe.s resolution
was seconoed before Mr. Benedict rose not the latter
gentleman III order.
Rev. Or MURRAY, sitting the platform, stated that,
inmedatey upon the reading Of Dr. McGees resolution,
be seconded IT,
Tire PRESIDENT 20 Mr. Benedic,)-rhen you are out
(Applauge,
Rev. Dr. PATTEN moved that DR. Notices resolution be
postponed until he could have opportunity TO read
another resolution. (Hi5ses and CRIES Of "0fderr1
DR.. pArrEs-oh go on, gentlemen, you wont disturb me
in Inc least (Cbees and hsses) Ny father vas one Of
taose that went through the Revolutionary war; and
not to be frightened of.
GENTLEMAN in the parquette called Dr. Pat.en to
order, because the question postpooemen,, which
said was not debatable, had not been put
Dr. PArrrY insisted that he bad right to speak to hs
motion TO postpone, and read his resolution .
part Of his speech. He then proceeded 10 read,
stentorisn tone rising above the OF hsses the
preamble 20 his resolution as foiloHs:--
Whereas, The African slave trade is contrary to the
first principles of the Gospel and Of humany hsses)-
evangelical CHRISTIANS
Here the of mingled applause hases drowned
Or Patterns voice. the President said something which
could not be heard by the reporters Dr. Patten re-
pled-"PeIhaps the President will understand better
when ne hears the resolution" Again essayed TO pro-
ceed with the resolution but ouly the words and wheras
were anooe when DIE voice was again over shelmed BY
the uproar.
Rev Dr. SPRING then took the platform, and with great
difficulty obtained hearing. He understood TO say
that though he should probably against the reso
lion Of L Paiten was perfectly plain that that gentle
Ought TO be- heard and had just good right to
bis resolution Dr. NcGee had. "Probably shall
vote decidedly against that resolution but cir give every
man his rights, and you win hnd him acting with the
Ciey for tie promotion Of its great objects"
Dr. PATES then proceeded 10 read his resolution fol-
love-
Whereas the African slave trade s contrary 10 the first
principles OF the Gospel and Of humanity is condemned
by all evangelical Christians. and is repudated by all
Christians and civilized nations; aud whereas, there are
tpnta all o
rors, eaoy is, is about be- reopened by adveu.
tuTers Of his country and whereas the only effecual
barrier to bs trade il the moral sense Of the community
enlightened by the truths disseminated by the Gospel
therefore,
Resolved That the Publishing Committee be directed TO
issue during the present year. tract tracts calculated
ard concentrate the religions sentiment Of all
evangelical Christians against the slave trade and 10 act
forth lis wickedpess before The nation.
This, "a pr. Patton, is the resolution which would
propose tbs proper resolution be adopted By this
society and caouot FOR one momen. feel that there can
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