Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-02-18
AnnusI Meetings ana Anniversaries
Of the U. 8. Christian Commission.
PHnApEIPH1A, Feb. ., lse5.

Commission during the past year. AT the |
late annual meeting Of the Commission in
Washington, at which over one hundred |
members were present, these facts were |
presented with peculiar power and earn
estness, in various wsys, by delegates rep |
resenting the home and field work of the |
Commission, in all its phases. The third |
Annual Report of the Commission wss |
formally adopted, and the financial exhib-
its, showing the work for the past year,
were presented, and received the most un-
qualified admiration Of all who examined
them.
The Report shows that the commission
has received in 1864 contributions TO the
value of 81, ,852 ,347.s6; in 1868, $9l6, 537.
s.; in 1862 1921, ,44l 30, making a total
Of s., o30, AL 3O-sll of which has been
most economically expended for those for
whom it was designed, except q little one
Eve thousand dollars remaining on the lst
of January in the hands of the Treasurer.
The Commission on an sversge have en-
ployed during the year 207 delegates, and
at present have 276 in the field.
It would require too much space to de-
scribe the proceedings of the convention In
detail. So much was said and done, with
stich entire harmony Of opinion ard pur-
pose, that the great labor of this year among
the noble soldiers of our army and navy
in binding up the wounds, in preaching the
Gospel of Christ 10 elevating in every way
the men who are fighting our bsttles-can
not but feel in every part the renewed in
huence which must go forth from such
gathering and for such q cause. ..-z-
A fitting conclusion to the visit of the
Commission to Washington was furnished
by the public anniversary which was held
lin the Hall of the House of Representa-
tives on Sabbath evening, the 29th of JAN
nary. Such meeting was probably sell
dom, if ever, convened on this continent,
Long before the hour for opening had ar
rived, every available spot of room was oc-
cupied, and thousands vainly stroVe for
admission. f.
The Hon. VIM. 81. Seward, Secretary
of State, presided. President Lincoln an1
wife, with almost the entire Cabinet, Chief
Justice Chase, Admiral F2rragut, Msjor-
General Hancock, and many members Of
the House and Senate, were present, MT.
Stewards opening remarks were followed
by short financial ststement-embodying
the items already given-made by Geo. ID.
Stuart, of Philadelphis, the Chairman of
the Commission, who had presided over the
deliberations Of the Convention during its
sessions.
After an address by Mr.. Chamberlain,
merchant of Cincinnati, the audience
was addressed by Rev j. Wheaton Smith,
| D. D., Of Philadelphia, in q recital of his
own experience as Christian Commission
delegate, which told with great power.
/ DR.. Butler, of Philadelphia, then followed.
When the war broke out he had been q
/ pastor in Washington, but on account OF
his loyalty had been compelled to leave
euen the capital of the country. His re-
marks, in consequence, had an added In
terest and were received with decided to-
kens of the change which hsd come over
the views and feelings of the people hehad
formerly ministerei among. Perhaps the
gem Of the evening was the address Of the
Provost Marshal Of the army of the Potc-
mac, General Patrick. His testi-
mony TO the work of the Com
mission was decided and unhesitating
Ia its appreciation. Coming from such
q s7urce it possesses 8 value which cannot
be over-es!im 4ted. His peroralon-in al
lusion to the Hall in which the meeting
wss being held, and in connection with
l
| the audience through. His quotation Of
the words of the l22d Psalm, in direct ap-
plication to the return of the represents
tives of the seeded States to their seats in
the councils of the nation-ori as the
words ran, 'to the House of the Lord,
"wilhin thy gates, o Jerusalem" met with
an outburst Of passionate enthusiasm sell
dom equslled. .a
Libby Prison furnished the next speaker,
Chaplain McCabe of Illinois. A whirl-
wind seemed to be passing over the audi.
ence as he spoke and at the close Of his
remarks even the President rose reYently
to his feet, as the grand voice of the
speaker lifted the listening throng into the
intensest emotion while he sang Mrs.
Howe's magnificent lyrie:-
'ne eyes have seen the coming Of the glory Of the
Lord" a
tc the melody of the "John Brown" song.
Gen. Fisk Of Missouri one of the origi-
nal twelve members of the Commission fol-
lowed, in an address Of very great power
giving an excellent tribute to tho Com
missions work. A simple and sorrow-
ful recital of the woes of the rebel prison
at Salisbury, n. G., which powerfully af
fected the hearers, was then made by Mr..
W. D. Richardson, correspondent of the
New York Tribune who, six weeks before,
had succeeded in escaping after captiv-
ity Of twenty months. Senator Foster, Of
Connecticut was the last speaker.
The meeting, which continued until lnears
ly midnight, was in every respect sn entire
success, and cannot fail Of exciting great
national interest in the Commissions
work. ~
A second anniversary was held on Tues
day evening, Jan. 81, in Philadelphia, the
head quarters of the Commission. The
Academy of Music, one Of the largest halls
in the country, was densely thronged, and
the meeting was presided over by the chair
man of the Commission, Mr.. George Il.
Stuart.
Addresses we're delivered by Rev. Alex
Ander Reed, of Philadelphia, Rev. B W.
Chidiaw, of Cincinnati, Gen Fisk, Rev. Dr..
Newton, Of Philadelphia, Joseph Story of
BoSton, Rev Edward Hawes, of Philadel-
phiA, Ohsplain McOsbe and Gen. Gregory.
This meeting was of equal interest with the
Que IN Washington, very large number
of delegates returning from the Washing
ton Convention being present.
Let US pray that Gods favor may rich
ly descend upon the Commission, IS after
these great gatherings it commences sgain
its faithful service in so many ways Its
third year gone its noble record and ac-
count rendered, with an empty treasury
and such work in prospect as is beyond
comparison in vastness and importance,
who shall say that Gods blessing will not
continue to rest on itss 10 the past, and yet
more sbundsntly 2-CorTePondnes Nei0
York Evangelist. a