The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-09-29

Ohio: Rev. o. P. Krauth, PennsylVania
N. E. Chamberlain, Esq, Ohio.
secretaries-Rsv. WA. Davidson, Penn
sylvsnis; Rev. A. @. Osborn, Missouri;
Rsy. J. N. McGelton, D. D., Maryland.
The following Business Committee was
appointed:
Rev. DR.. Kirk, N. Y D. 8. Griffith, ESQ
Nd; Rev. W. c. Childs, Mass; L. L. Rice,
Esq Ohio; Robert Mcknight, ESQ, Pa;
N. Clds, Eaq., Ohio; Rev. 8. B.
Bsrnitz, West Va; Rev. j. n. Buckley,
Mich; J. W. Mcintyre, ESQ.,, Mo-; Rev.
Jno. White, Conn.
The following resolution was offered by ].
N. McGilton, D. D., and referred to the
Business Committee:
Resolped, That the Committee to prepare
business for the Convention, be requested 10
report upon the propriety of recognizing
the United States Christian Commission on
the basis of representetion-esch city and
county of the several States to be represent
ed in State Commission and each State
Commission TO be represented in the General
United States Commission.
The Business Committee reported in part
the following resolutions
ResoIved, That we gratefully recognize the
good providence of God that has brought Us
successfully through the war, and acknowl-
edge that We thereby are laid under renew
ed obligations TO devote ourselves to the re-
orRaniza zation of our restored country.
RESOLVED, That inssmuch es 8 large part
of our people, both in city and country, are
as yeB unreached by the Gospel, we are SOL
emnly bound to reinforce existing agencies
and devise new ones to meet present exi-
gencies.
Discussion sprung up on the Objec's
which the Convention proposes to itselt, ,and
eloquent and edifying remarks were made
on the practicability of forming an orgsni-
zAtion akin to the Christian Commission,
holding the same relation to the masses
of the people that that Commission held to
the army and the navy. All admitted
the necessity of organizing efforts for the
uplifting of the lower classes of our popu-
lation, 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 aghast.
As an example of the need of organized
evangelical efforts, it was stated that in
ct. Louis, where there is q population of
200, 900 souls, only about 1000 people at
tend worship in evangelical churches.
Catholics, Unitarians 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
gelicsl 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 agreed on the ne
cessity of organisation. some thought il
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.
By this time the day had waned, and the
Convention adjourned to meet at eight
O'Clock Thursday morning.
Meetings were held in the evening, in
the Stone Church and First Congregational
Church, which were addressed by Drs.
Kirk, Buddington and Clark, and Rev
Messrs. Parvin, Barnitz, Smith and Buck
ley. We have not room for our report of
their remarks.
SECOND DAY-FoRESooE.
The Convention met at eight O'Clock,
President Chase in the chair. An hour was
spent in devotional exercises, after which
the regular business of the Convention
came up.
Chief Justice Chase made an excellent
though brief address on the question of or
ganization, at the opening of the session.
I'VE regret to say that the report of his
remarks which was promised us, was not
forthcoming last night, and we cannot.
Ensr1rUrv, Iay II before our readers this
morningl
The Business Committee reported the
following resolutions:
ResolUed, That the best thank-offerinR we
can make, as American Christians, for 30
great National deliverance, and so well
come q peace, is in enlarged efforts to ex-
tend the Gospel of our Lord and Jesus
Christ throughout the land. Adopted.
ResolUed, That in the further discussions
of this Convention, no speaker occupy more
than ten minutes, nor speak more than
once on the same question. Adopted.
Resolved That this Convention appoint a
Commission consisting of fifty with power
to add to thir number, to he called "Ghe
American Evangelical Commission, which
shall be charged with the work of wakeu-
ing the attention of the Christian public
to the urgent need of retending the gos.
pei to the multitudes of this generation not
yet reached by direct Christian labor, using
for this purpose the press, public meetip rs,
local organizations and other suitable
means.
Resolued, That it shall be the duty of the
Commission TO collect and diffuse infOrma-
tiOn adapted to stir up the hearts of Chris
tians everywhere TO increased activity in
the relief, rescue and salvation of men; to
suggest methods which extended obserVa-
tion, comparison and experience have
proved best adapted to these various ends !;
as far as possible to call forth and increase
the voluntary, unpaid services of individ-
usls in the Masters vineyard to devise
plans for the training and employment of
woman's talent in the various spheres of
Christian labor; to be o medium between
Christian lsborers and those who desire
their services, whether churches, public
institutions, societies or individuals TO re-
inforce, in every appropriate way, all forms
of Christian effort and charitable work, and
extend the blessings of the gospel to all
men, even the most abandoned.
The name Of the proposed organization,
in the next to the last resolution, provoked
discussion which occupied all the fore
noon. The upshot of it all was, that the
name was changed the "American Chris
tisn Commission"
A motion came up to add the words d" for
the Masses" TO the amended title. This
was strenuously opposed. 1t was thought
that the word "masses" would be construed
by the enemies of the movement to mean
"plebeian," or. .''rabble," and that the Con-
vention was directing its attention to the
Ignorant and vulgar" that is, the poor
people. The motion to so amend was lost
Ayes 1O4, nays 11O.
It was then moved to add TO the title the
words "fOr the whole people," which was
also lost.
The Convention adjourned till two O'Clock
P. NJ.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Convention re-assemblsd at two
s'clock, when discussion of the resolution
before the body at the time of adjourn
ment, was resumed.
Vim. Reynolds, of Illinois, and C. N.