New-York daily tribune., 1865-09-30
mission for the Lower Part Of the City
oRIcIN OF THE DAILY PRAYER MEETING.
IT'S CHARACTER END POWER.

,reterding roon plainly furnished and until 1857 had
rolng about il to attract notice. Now 1t Is the os
potahis thing in NewYork To ii more eyes are t'eu
and more prayers madeat its name more Ne"''' V'''
With eniS ION than any other room IN tne cay. l" "
originated tho world renowned Daily U2ion Iia!eT
Meeting which for eight years has been wonoer anu
,joy to thousands in all parts the world
STEPS THAT LED TO lis ESTABLISHMENT.
The Collegiate Church had three houses e. worship
!, the lower rart Of New.York. The South Church IN
Gsrden.st. the Middle Church in Nassau-st, and the
North Church. In 1885 fire consumed the South Church
In 1874 the Middle Dutch Church was abandoned 10
ue Government for POst0fice and the North Church
slne remained The population around the church
v.,e Of a class who do not frequent public worship
The Dutch families had nearly all removed TO the upper
mart Of the city. Emigration stored the dwellings with
,foreign clement, and multitude who had their own
IDEAS Of the Sabbath, and they were not Dutch. At
.np,s were made TO fll the old North Church. Pla
cards were hung upon the gates inviting all to enter,
nall the seats were free But few accepted the nyi.
,.,On and the preacher discoursed TO empty pews.
YR. LANPHIER, THE ORIGINATOR.
The attention of the Consistory was formally called
this state Of things in May, 1851 and measures taken
ueet the growing destituton of the lower part OF he
,., consequent the removal Of so many down town
ssurches \ Mi, sionary was selected who began his
kbors among the neglected ones in the waste portions
s,As city. 1t was a movement free from sectafian
vevl He divided the lower part of the city into dis
vcs But when any were found who belonged 10 a
ehurh they were encouraged 10 attend them. All 9TH
ssrere invited to the Old North Church. Hotels and
harding houses we're visited and pew put at the dis
psal Of its guests. Placards were hung in the halls
s,d public rooms stating that pew reserved for
he guests OF the house A change at took place.
Tbe church filed M. It's prayer and social meetings
we're well attended. The Sabbath School increased.
nd most encouraging state Of things appeared. Il
part Of the original movement TO establish the
Daily Prayer Meeting. II grew out of the arrange
neD though it was no part of the original plan Yet
sthe Missionary whom il the good fortune of the
Surch TO select the famed meeting owes its origin
The name Of Jeremiah Calvin Lanpher will always be
Rentifed with this movement. To him the origin and
rculiar character OF the meeting will belong. His age
snot far from fifty years. He is tall with pleas ant
kce, an afectionate manner. an indomt lble energy
Nd perseverance. good singer gifted in prayer and
uhortation. welcome guest TO any house. shrewd
uth much tact and common sense aud emineuty fitted
k the position he has been called TO occupy which
sr he has nobly filed. He was born in Coxsackie
Greene County, New York. He became resident Of
As city about twenty years ago; engaged in mer-
entie business, formed an acquaintance with the
Cnsstory of the Dutch Church. who fonnd him in the
kds OF useful service and employed him a mis- sion.
~ TO occupy the field opened in the lower and neg.
keted part Of New-York. lie was member Of the
Rv Dr. J. NJ. Alexander's Church. well known as
shborer among the poor the neglected and pcrishnr.
iehange followed bis location in the Dutch Church.
he congregation enlarged, the Sabbath School filed
% and out Of cold and Nfeloss Formally, living
durch arose. lie hsd been merchant. Heknew how
tcult il was TO get devotional meeting in the
ss he knew that the hour of one Of leisure
hnerchants clerks draymen and men Of toll. He
xlyed TO open daily meeting for prayer from l2
h. It was 10 be union meeting-one Of short songs,
ksf speeches and limited suppications The old,
kg cold formal routine was 10 BE broken up. No one
GOuld be obliged TO stay the whole hour. Any one
s.d come in aud go out wien he pleased-stay one
mute or one lour-sing. pray, speak depart.
Much Of thefreshness Of the meeting and unnaggine
h,est is dueto the presence ofstrangers One Of the
niles required the Leader each day to especially invite
brethren from abroad TO take part in the meeting"
In city like New York the metropolis fihc country
I'd the chief seat Of the importing trade connected
tswing 10 tsf visitors from every quarter for pur
ass Of buspss travel and amusement, there cannot
| hl 10 be G perpetual succession Of strangers.
bsade the mlitiiudes who make longer or shorter
| rsy in hotel and boarding houses. there are faI
psier NUMBERS who, residing in some place in the
arouBding country at a distance rangug from FIVE to
iAurdred mfs yet come iuto town daily. or a! least
sro or three fines week for secular pursuits. Many
n u Sc hay, made II habit to resort to the Noon
Meeting az dten as circunstancea permitted. Clergy
n.r their ay to and from ecclesiastical meetings
hvaids travIng fo- health sailors staying in port
teers Of IT, army and navy in ansifa from place to
hee emigrGts from foreign lands pursuinc their way
sae interiG Of this country. and adventurous men
ror tie intdior seeking the quickest rCuie to the Pa
dc al thcS as they passed through NewYoIk, have
h'ne extern been represented in this How wel.known
Offering.
Scarcely lay passes in which some voice is not lifted
Which was sever heard before in that room. The
SPEAKER ners, expresses his qualification at what ho
sea and hears makes some suggestion. proposes
sHoIoct Of payer narrates recent maufesta.
hr Of Gods grace in tie neglborhood from which be
zones. His presence is felt as stimulus ard encour
Scnent by th,seprescnt Particularly is this the case
'ae, ss often occurs the meeting IS informed that the
Apofts, wheh.r verbal in print, Of what God has
Sea pleased e do in tie North Dutch ConsistJry room
so similar lla'cs in NewYork, going ont through the
Aid. have woBght in some communities like a spark
"scLi3g wisie train Of combuatibles.
oaiGN OF TIE NoosDAY MEETING.
The idea Of meeting such was Instituted flashed
" Tie mind oi the Missionary day while he was
o1ienplatHgthe desttnton Of the lower part of New.
York Mr. Lnpier tells his story with tonching
simplicity; Going my rounds in the performance Of
ny Cuy one day. as was walking along the streets.
tie idea was suggested to my mind that hour Of
Usver f.o,, 10 ,o ,,cnct roul be beneficial q,