The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-09-12
A GREAT UNION PRAYER MEETING.
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 2, 1866

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 2, 1866.
A Union prayer meeting was held this
evening at the rooms of the National Union
Club, on Chesnut-st., near Twelfth. The
rooms were packed, most ofthose present be
ing delegates to the Convention. The diff
ferent delegation thought this mode Of spend
ing the evening a better one than conversing
in their committeeman.
Hon. Ira Harris, in opening the exercises,
said that we had assembled in devotional
exercises previous to our meeting in the de-
alterations of an important convention, the
results of which would affect essentially,
perhaps vitality, our afflicted and distracted
country. What could be more appropriate
than that upon this evening of the christian
Sabbath we should meet to commend the
country to that God who has so signally
favored us in the trials through which We
have passed, and plead with him that he
will not desert us as we enter upon new and
unexpected trials7 Prayer was then offered
by the Rev. Dr. Newman OLA Mr.. Eaton,
of Memphis, remarked that in connection
with any great civil question there was a
special fitness in the American people seek
ing counsel from on high, because the liber-
ty which we enjoy and which has been vim
dicated by such patriotism and by blood was
first developed on these shores rs religious
liberty of conscience, and out oft sprang the
idea of free and representative government.
1t was lifting that we should seek guidance
from above, from the fact that the Church
of the South has been one of the great agen-
cies and supporters of Rebellion. The cler
CIV of the South were using the arguments
and influence to-day that they were using be-
fore the war. They teach now .as they did be-
fore the war; that the negro is beneath the
man. They would not profit by the expert
ence of the past, nor listen to the teachings
of the present. Wecould only leave them to
that God who was able to make even the wrath
ofman to serve him. The Rev. Mr.. Con-
way, of La, then engaged in prayer. Senator
Lane of Indiana trusted that although he
was a stranger to the sacred cause of Christian
civilization IN the advocacy of which they
had assembled, he would not desecrate the
occasion by any allusion which could prove
offensive to those who differed with him, and
vet he felt there was much to hope for and
pray for by Christians of the United States.
He felt that he was bound to those around
him by the ties of christian brotherhood, and
in the hope of a common redemption through
a common Savior.
After five years of terrible conflict, and the
martyrdom of 1000 soldiers, we had come
in sight of the promised land, and we should
now see to it that the fruits of that conflict
and the purchase of that blood were not lost
to us through the treachery OF mean, false
prophets Though the land was crying for
peace while there was yet no peace, for in the
South "a legal convention was dispersed In
New Orleans because of rio., the streets of
ar. I. %ha Of fba
only loyal men there left. But recently in
Maryland men of God, while kneeling in
prayer, had been slaughtered by ruffians.-
All this blood had been shed by the wild
spirit evoked by slavery. There was yet
no peace. We should pray for it. We
should pray also that our rulers may be en-
dowed with wisdom from on high. We
should stand firm, not as politicians, but as
Christians, to secure the triumphs ofright-
eousness and peace, and the prevalence of
truth and religion. A kind Providence had
4, guided us through five years of war. To
Him we owed our deepest gratitude. We
have had an intelligent, able and patriotic
| press We owed much to it, and to the cler-
| gy Notwithstanding the signal OBJECTIONS of
! some of these clerical teachers to whom we
had looked with Difference and respect. The
| people generally were patriotic. Let them
see to it that they had piety as well as patri-
otism- that they prayed as well as spoke
and acted-and the country would be saved.
Mr.. Strong of st. Louis desired to press
one idea upon the assemblage We were ev-
er ready to recognize the hand of God in the
great events of the world, but were too prone
to underestimate Gods dealings in minor af-
fairs. It had been easier for US to recognize
that God was on our side when we were sue
cessful in battle But we should have fell
that he was not the less with US indeteat an6
danger. God gave us defeat in the battle o
Bull Run, that we might realize the great
ness of the struggle before us and be incitei
togreater exertion. God had broughtus thu
far in safety. He would not desert US now
He did not believe that the great controvers!
was intended to leave the destinies of the ma
ton in the hands of men who would carr.
us back half century in the race of progress
God had higher work for us, and would
help US to do it, if we look to him TO
help.
! Here Horace Maynard of Tennessee said
that on one occasion Mr. Webster when ask