Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-12-13

ahCe being remarkably large. The exercises
orened by singing, followed by an impressive
PRAYER by Rev. DR.. Spring, Of New York. A
portion Of Scripture was then read, and DR..
Spring proceeded to offer a few interesting re-
upon the duty mankind to look to God for aid and
countenance In all emergencies. In these perilous
times our only hope was in the Supreme Being.
:" From North and South, from East and West,
Around the Cross we stand"
comp sed for the convention, was sung by the
Rev. Byron Surderland then delivered an ad-
dress OF welcome In behalf Of the churches Of
Washington. He touched upon the perilous con-
dition Of the times, and said we could not tell
whether our political Union was to survive the
present tempest, but that whatever else might
founder, the christians faith in our Saviour would
majesty, and by the word Of his power save the
ark Of his covenant and the people Of his care.
At the conclusion Of the address, which was
listened to with profound attention, the congrega-
mon sung a hymn.
Rev. Mr. Owen. Of Baltimore, said that the peo-
pie Of that city had spent the day in prayer for
our country, and desired that the Senators and
Representatives in Congress light know that we
should continue earnest prayer to Almighty Sod
that our country may be restored to peace and
union.
Rev Mr.. Moores of Boston, expressed an en-
couraging hope for the continued prosperity of
our Union from signs he had lately seen and
heard The Bible gave accounts Of great ma
tional disasters on account Of designing politi-
cians-the cases Of Ahasuerus and Of Daniel and
the threatened destruction of Nineveh-the re-
Pentance Of the people and the Interpolation Of
Rev. Mr.. Moore, Of Richmond, spoke Of the
time that had been when prayer was not heard.
Had not Christ died for mankind prayer would
have been unknown. The daily PRAYER meeting
is realization Of daily sacrifices.
Rev. Mr.. Blair, Of New York. expressed his
gratitude for the kind welcome he had received
in " ashingtoR. A closing hymn was then sung,
ard the first session dismissed with bene-
dietson by DR.. Spring.
Yesterday the Convention reassembled and was
permanently organized by electing the following
President-w. H. Fowle, Alexandria
Vice PresidentS-Rev. DR.. Spring, New York;
Mr. Hsmiin, Boston; Dr. AImitage Baltimore;
Mir James Gordon, Richmond; Rev DIR. Samson,
Washington.
Sccreiaries-Rev NJ. Morrison, N. York; Rev.
J g. Butler, Washington.
On motion, a committee was appointed to pre-
pare business.
The committee, after retiring for consultation,
reported the following schedule:
Morning prayer meeting in Wesley Chapel,
from * to o. O'Clock Morning session of the
Convention in Trinity Church, from 10 to 1
O'Clock. Afternoon prayer meeting in Trinity
Church, from 4 to o'clock and evening session
The report was adopted, after which the Con-
vention resolved itself into devotional meeting
and Rev: T. Goodrich Smith and Rev. j. c.
Smith delivered addresses.
The following resolution was offered by Rev
Mr.. Hagan, OF y. Y:
hESOtrsd. mat a commune OF tQree De ID
pointed to prepare, in behalf Of the National Con
vention, an appeal, to be signed by the officers o
the Convention, 20 christians Of all denomina
tons, to engage in daily and united prayer IN
behalf Of our nation in its present temporal and
spiritual distress; that God would pardon ou
sins. and unite us altogether in Christ Jesus ou
Lord through the power Of His Holy Spirit
number Of reverend gentlemen spoke on tn,
resolution, which was finally adopted unani
mOusly.
Is 49, II anea mt
motion was made for a committee to wait Of
tie Speaker of the House Of Representatives Il
request the use Of the hall for the Union Praye
Meeting on Thursday night.
The resolution, after discussion, was adopted
and a Committee was appointed.
ErsHrHy Session -fhe special order Of thi
session was the receiving Of reports from the de-
egaies from the various Union Prayer Meetin
Associations throug bout the country The report
generally were encouraging and indicative {
progress and success on the part Of those Assoc
atiOIs.
To-DAY;s SESSION.
The Convention met, and the exercises wer
opened by singing, followed by prayer from Re-
Reports were receiyedlfrom Rev Mesrs Cave
Homer, and Cross, Of Baltimore, showing Il
progress and interest Of the various Union Pray,
Meetings of Baltimore during the past year.
An Interesting report was received from Il
Site Of Delaware, showing that while the UniS
PRAYER Meetings had been generally successI
there, they had been characterized by too sect
rian spirit 10 attain The fulness Of success to
desired.
Remarks were made by the Chair and by Re
Dr. Smith in relation 70 sectarian influences, al
DIR. Smith spoke at some length upon the ind
ence Of unanfmity Of thought and action in chr
tian associations.
ON motion by Rev Mr. Butler the Conventi
devoted the next half hour to devotional service
An impressive petition TO the Divine Power W
addressed BY Rev. Dr. Schenck Of Baltimore, wi
prayed that God would pour out his Spirit up
the churches Of the land and upon this Cow.
ton. He thanked the Heavenly Father for Z
goOdly assemblege present, and for the christi
spirit which actuated the members Of the Conve
tion in their labors for the advancement Of t
church Of Christ ON earth. He besough t that
present might be Influenced to unite in efforts Il
the now jarring elements Of disanion might
STAYED, and that peace and brotherly love mig
abound throughout our hitherto happy land
The Convention then united In singing
All hail the power Of Jesus name,
Let angels PROSTATE fall -
Rev Mr.. Cooper, Of Baltimore, followed
earnest prayer that the Influence Of the Holy sPi
might descend upon all present; that peace mig
be upon them, and that blessings might abou
among them while here; that when they shou
return 70 their homes they mig feel strengt then
and encouraged in the service Of their oaviO
He prayed for the Congress Of the United Stat
that their labors might be conservative and p
ductve Of peace and concord throughout
country.
The hymn
: JOyfully, jOyfully onward mOve''-
A eIsrgyman from Baltimore delivered br
exbortation upon the necessity Of looking to CHI
ss the great end Of christianity. Why shou
fall out by the way with those who In mil
things differed with him when we all had I
| God one faith, one hope, one salvation. .
| PRAYER succeeded, the supplicast earnestly
| treating that the Convention might not sepai
without the special benediction Of Divine Pro
II dsnce: that God would help all present TO
for our country; that all hearts might be pene
ted with love and devotion, and thai no b
| might venture TO assail our present peace mat
canse Of All the present troubles mig ht be
~ moved and that His kingdom might come
( Ms will De done in the hearts Of our whole nat
At the close Of the devotional exercises, h
Or Finckel presented a resolution, Iecomme
ing that a letter be addressed TO the Prssden
the United states, suggesting that In view OF
i n.tional troubles he appoint the I'D Of febru
next as sday Of fasting and prayer throughout
II land. ,,,. :
draw the pcelosed letter, as % might prove
Il barrassing 70 the President In view OF the excl
jealousy Between the several states. IL was
4 Vested that unless II should be nrst sscefta
| fnat thu proposition should meet with the az
NUxTnN .