Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-04-11

BUSINESS MEMS PRAYER-MEETING AT SMITH
& NlxoN's HAII.-The meeting yesterday
morning was opened with prayer by the
leader, in which he referred to the intelli-
gence of the day, indicating the immediate
beginning of civil war. The people of the
United States were sinners. They had wan
dered from the fold of Christ had built their
property upon the psrishable things of earth,
and God was now breaking their Govern
ment to pieces like a potter's vessel. he
prayed that we might have the hearing ear
and the understanding heart, and turn unto
our God, who would abundantly pardon;
that the dark cloud might yet break away,
revealing the pillar of fire which should be
our guide to national purity and power.
The twenty-thiId chapter of Ezekiel was
then read. ...... ..--... .. .-..
The case of young man who had become
so absorbed in worldly business that he was
in danger of backslidiDg in the Christian
course, was presented, and he, with all of
the same class, was made'the subject of many
earnest prayers. In reference to this sub
ject-the connection of worldly affairs with
! Christisnity-one remarked that we had yet
| much to learn. The churches had incor-
rectly taught the peoples They had divorced
labor and religion. Thereligion of that man
who did not carry it with him into, all his
business avocations, must decline. He who
sells goods on Pearl street may be engaged
in as legitimate branch of Christian duty
as he who attends andrtakes part in these
meetings. He earnestly exhorted all to
carry the Christian spirit with them wher-
ever they went; to let 1t .underlie all their
business transactions, so that if they were
in the house of prayer, or behind the counter,
their religious zeal would be just as high
and just as ardent in the one case as in the
other. -' a'.
Another speaker referred to the midnight
prayer-meetings Of London, Dublin, Edin.
burg, and numerous other places in the
British Isles. They were held for the de-
graded of those cities. Large numbers
attended and 500 wanderers had been re-
claimed. a.a ".
A young man followed by requesting that
the prayers of the meeting be offered for the
President of the United States and for those
in authority. Notwithstanding they were
directly commanded in the Scriptures to Dc
SO, he had heard no one pray for our rulers
The whole Christian world had been thrilled
with 10y at the announcement, and tha
Abraham Lincoln, wheniin February last h'
started on bis journey to the Capital, had
invoked the prayers of the people OF God
Let us respond to that request.
What followed indicated the readiness
with which men OF different political viewI
unite to accomplish the same religious object
The variety of modes in which the emo
should be obtained was, however, somewha
peculiar. One prayed that the Almighty
would turn and overthrow this nation till He
whose right it was, should reign. Anothel
invoked the aid of Him who was heralded a
his birth with "Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace, and good will to man,
to forbid that we should cut each others
throats. A third prayed "Let not wicked
men successfully resist the Government"
In conclusion, the hymn was sung:
From every stormy wind that blows,
From every swelling tide of woes, ID.
There Is q calm, q sure retreat;
'Tis found before the mercy seat