The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-09-28
AFTERNOON sEssIoN.

The Convention met pursuant to adjourn
ment. h
Discussion sprung up on the objects
which the Convention proposes to itselt, ,snd
eloquent and edifying remarks were made
on the practicability Of forming an Organi-
zation akin to the christian Commission,
holding the same relation to the masses
of the people that that Commission held to
the army and contrsbands. All admitted
the necessity Of organising efforts for the
uplifting of the lower classes OF our pOpu-
Iation, and revelations were made of the
condition, more particularly of females, in
our large cities, which were frightful and
well calculated to make thinking men and
women stand sghast. 81
As an example of the need Of organized
evangelical efforts, it was stated that in
St. Louis, where there is population of
200. 900 souls, only about 1000 people at
tend worship in evangelical churches.
Catholics, Unitarisns and Universalists are
not included in the statement. Only one
fortieth of the population of that city are
brought under the influence of the evan
gelical ministry.
Among those who spoke on the subject
were Drs. Kirk, of Boston, BuddingtOn, of
Brooklyn, N. Y, and Clark, of Albany.
While these gentlemen sgreed on the ne
cessity of organisation. some thought it
enough to quicken the agencies now exist
ing, such as the local churches, Bible and
Tract Societies, &C., without bringing into
use any new machinery. The subject was
freely talked over, and as result Com
mittee on Business, consisting of ten mem
bers, DR.. Kirk, of Boston, Chairman, was
appointed, to whom are to be referred plans
of organization, which they will consider.
and report to the convention. We under
stand that two distinctp plans were submit
ted to them late yesterday afternoon, which
they held under advisement last evening.
These will be offered to the Convention
this morning, and the proceedings of the
day bid fair to be of rare interest. 2
It was announced, just previous to the
adjournment of the Convention, that there
would be meeting in the Stone Church in
the evening, which would be addressed by
several prominent gentlemen, and also a
meeting in the First Congregational Church
on the West Side. The Convention then
adjourned to meet at eight o'clock this
morning. An hour will be spent in devo-
tional exercises, after which the regular
business will go forwsrd.
EVENING MEETINGS.
By half-past seven o'clock last evening
the Stone Church had become crowded.
The exercises were prefaced by the render
ing of several very choice pieces Of music
by Mr. Phillip Phillips, the well-knOwn
singer and publisher of Sunday School
music, of Cincinnati. His performances
were excellent and highly appreciated. 2
Rev. DR.. Corey, of Utica, was called 10
the Chair. After an opening prayer, Rev.
DR.. BuddingtOn, of Brooklyn, was intro
duced: % y
REMARKS OF DR. sUDDIEeToE.
He congratulated his fellow countrymen
on the dawn Of one Of the gFandest eras in
history. A great war has been followed by
. great peace, and the problem now is;
Has the Church of Christ new and great
work 20 perform ARE we now buppIleQ
with all the agencies God requires TO do the.
work God assigns to us in this land f5HfssEe
the demorslizing effect of war, the Church
rises by an impulse of zeal and faith and
presses forward 10 the work of moral recon
struction. The power of the Redeemer's
salvation comes close upon the heels of the
war, that this land may become the land Of
Christ.
He proceeded to state with emphasis, ,thst
the Convention meets here without any po-
litical aim or end, or seetarisn purpose and
bias. Is would not lay q straw in the way
of any denomination. We give the Roman
all the freedom we ask for ourselves, and
claim from him equal privilege. ~
The question arises: What do We pro-
Pose TO DO? Is the church Of Christ now
working to evangelize the masses with such
thorouehnes as will warrant US in praying
and hoping that in our geRe-atiOn they
shall all hear of the redemption of Chris
His understanding was EOs vet convinced
that so large proportion os. the people, as
al been represented, were not reached by
tie gospel. Nor have the Efforts Of The
CHURCH hsen 8 fsilure. On the other Land