New-York daily tribune., 1865-09-30

heard upon the stairs Shortly after another, and
another. then another and last of all another until sI
made up the whole company We had good meeting.
The Lord pas citA W to bless U.s."
1t was decided 10 open mems prayer meeting at the
hour Of noon. The services sboud not exceed five min
ues each. No sectarian topic should be introduced
Much song should the meeting The service
should continue but one bour-should begin on the
striking of the hour Of lo and close at precisely
Much notice was given Of the intended service ana
card issued at the time. in graphic manner tes tnc
story: "Day PRAYER Meeting from l2 TO O'CLOCK
Stop FIVE ten or twenty minutes or the whole hour az
your time admits" The place appointed for the meet
| ing was in the small upper room used rs sunday
School room in the Consstoy building the rear OF the
Church.
THE NORTH CHURCH A FITTING PLACE
The proposed meeting was to be Of peculiar charac-
ter II was TO be devotional one, made up OF prayer
nrase and exhortation. 1t 10 be meeting oflay
| men TO be conducted chiefly by laymen, though the
cIcrgv were not 70 be excluded II TO he held at
the noon tide hour in the lu Of business for the benefit
Of business men. TIE exercises to be peculiar.
torse graphic, and deyont. l. 10 be union meet
ing blending oil denominations in the service Of song
and PRAYER 1t was place of devotion for all nations
who loved the Saviour. The Dutch Church was sound
and conservative. 1t Ind proved its berality from its
earliest existence 1t had INDUCED in no hurtul
troversy Content to attend to its matters it had
lived in peace with al the brotherhood Of churches. IL
had large and convenient rooms and accommodations
for such series of meetings proposed. 1t had
wealth aad disposition TO use it for this expert
ment. A daily meeting in New York, with men. books,
attendance. fuel and appliances. costs money. and no
IT. ~ 81 avo1
union evangelical effort, had the church accommoda
lions and the wealth carry out the plan. Its treat
ment of the first Rector of Trinity Church-he rescue
Of the Jesuit from the stake and the paido the
Indians for limits iberay TO the early Methodists-
were pledges of its catholic spirit, and proof that 1t
would be true to the great spirit of Christian union it
had avowed
The church in which the Meeting originated was
well located for the purpose II was far down town. IN
the business part OF the great metropolis Too far for
churchg goers but the exact site for MONDAY meeting
II was within a few minutes walk Of Broadway. the
City Hail. the Court, House. the Post Office the Custom
House. wals,., the Banks the Shipping, the Hotels.
and the places where merchants clerks, and aPpren
tices lunch. The merchant drayman. stage starters
and of toll could if they would. visit the MONDAY
house of prayer and join in FIVE ten or twenty minutes
serce and be back TO business before the hour of rest
had ended The old church was well known. 1t had
been British prison The pulpit had been carried of
to England Marks of British bayonets and pixies were
the sandstone column beside the elegant main
entrance Two cannons relics Of the old war guarded
the entrance and gave the house sacred and patriotic
character with the public. The meeting founded
by the Collegiate Church 1t has never been In other
hands. 1t originated within its bosom. The control oi
f.. ol,. "A
BY the Church daily attend TO that it is after
the pattern given. The expense Of the Meeting for the
eight years of its existence has been borne wholly ly
this Church II can close the doors when il WILL But
i, chose TO begin meeting Of peculiar character AL
who approve Of the rules" made welcome All
who do not have the liberty to remain away. Attempts
have been made 10 change the character of the meeting
10 introduce resolutions--to sell booksto run hob
bies--and grind aIes--but in vain As union dcvo-
tona meeting ii was started So il will continue 10 the
end.
THE FIRST MEETING.
At l2 o'clock on September %, 1851 the doors were
thrown open to all who ready to avail Themselves
Of the invitation to attend MONDAY prayer meeting in
the heart Of York in the busiest place and busiest
season Of the year. The Missionary TO conduct the
service The movement was a bold one. The ep.
pointed day came, the hour OF l2 struck on the
chime of Old Trinity the Missionary in the small
upper ROOM but audience At halfplst l2 Tie
step of a solitary one heard the stairs. One
was added then another till SIX persons made up the
company.
On the eth Of October bs meeting Increased that
the small upper was abandoned Tie large lee
ture room was opened and IN that the meetings
have daily been since held. The new room was orna'
mented with cards OF caution and instruction 10 the
attendants Of the meeting. Brethren are earnestl,
requested 10 adhere the five minute rule "Preyer
and c1hortatons to exceed five minutes in order 70
give all an opportunity" Not more than two consecu
tive PRAYERS or exhoraions;" "No controversial point
discussed are specimens If their character To tie
leader Of the meeting the rules were laid down; BE
prompt. Commencing precisely at u O'Clock" "The
leader not expected 10 exceed ten minutes in opening
tie meeting. l. Open the meeting by reading and
singing from three 10 five verses Of hymn. Prayer
g. Read r portion Of the Scriptures 4. Say the meet
ing l. now open for prayers and exhortatons observing
particularly the rules overhead inviting brethren from
abroad 70 take part in the services g. Read but
two requests at a ,ime-requirng prayer TO follow
such prayer 10 have special reference 10 the same
c. In Of any suggestion proposition by any per
son say this is simply Prayer Meeting and that they
are ont Of order and call On some brother 10 pray
T. Give out tie closing hymn FIVE minutes before
o'clock Request the Benediction from Clergyman II
one be present"
Tie success OF the meeting surprised nll who had
wotched its beginning and progress. That meeting
f,r PRAYER conld be interesting. was novelty For
more than fifty years NewYork prayer meeting was
a stereotyped ihng--long, duh and inanimatc. Tic
elders and deacons prayed. talked and sang. full
half hour was consumed in opening. Prayers for the
same purpose aud IN the same language Of the
,-,t ooa by ,le sa,oe pcrsons ,rerc reocoted voor