The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1867-03-28
Aatiomal grpnblitam.
LooAL MmWa.

Convention assembled In the basement Of Dr. Cur.
lsy's church at 10 o'clock, q, m, yesterday.
1854 Psalm, By the Rev. Dr. Gillette, in the chair
and Rev. Mr.. Fox followed with prayer.
Rev. James 7. Tustin. secretary, hero read let.
tiers from Mr.. William Ballantyne and from Mr.. A.
X Browne, which were appropriately disposed Of
BY adopting the suggestions contained therein.
attendance was present. Among those present We
noticed several new faces-Senator Wilson, Rev
W. swart Of Hamline M. +. church, Rev. John
Kimball and others.
As but half an hour was spent In the cOn,idera.
ton Of the hfth topic on the previous evening, II
was resumed this morning. It reads thus: " How
can our devotional meetings be made more prohta.
BILE and interesting both to Christians and the i'm.
penitent -
Rev. Mr.. osgood led of in the discussion of this
very important subject. He gave, and approved
Of the manner Of conducting devotional exercises
in the New England States, and said he saw more
good results arise from this course than from any
other. The hymn commencing Come Holy Spirit
heavenly dove, " he said he never permitted TO be
sung In public meetings, as he believed II was only
appropriate In the closet.
Rev. VIM. g. Fort Of Hamlne M. n. church,
gave, in a short address, a vast amount Of whole.
some advice on the words under consideration, in
which be suggested the propriety, aye, the neoes-
sity, Of the members Of the Church working In the
spirit as well as In the flesh.
enter upon this subject, as In this matter he be-
leyed the whole Church needed reconstruction. He
believed that one sermon per day would do vastly
more good than more. There would be, he be.
heved, q much larger attendance. He believed
there was too much preaching He thought folks
understood, generally, what were their duties and
what were wanted was q deeper interest and
greater spirit manifested In this work. Every
member should DO brought into active operation,
and have some part In the exercises Of the church.
These duties should be participated in by young as
we'll a. old.
Mr.. O. H. Bliss delivered some very valuable
views on this subject, and was followed by Rev.
Mr.. Remick, Of Georgetown, who favored prayer
and class meetings, and thought more good was
accomplished through them than by any other
means.
Mr.. Wilson, Of the United States Senate, also
favored these meetings, and thought that these and
the Sabbath meetings should only DO neglected In
cases Of sickness. All else should DO laid aside for
the purpose Of attending to these. Members Of the
Church should consider themselves as much bound
as soldiers to answer to roll-ca in attending the
weekly prayer meetings.
Rev. I. b. Metals said that II II should DO an
nouneed that several Indian Chiefs in full costume
would be present at the prayer meetings nearly
every member would be present, but otherwise they
might advertise these meetings and scarcely any
ono would attend.
Rev. Mr.. Taylor, of Georgetown, said the ques.
tion, he thought, was how to make these meetings
profitable and interesting. He did not think the
most joyous meetings were the most profitable; but
that they should be contrite in heart and humble
In spirit and pray God for the forgiveness Of sins
Rev. Dr. Ames said the gist Of his thoughts In
relation to this subject was that we should study
human nature and its wants. There was some
thing needed to make these meetings less mo.
notonous Different topics should be suggested and
introduced, and other means should be adopted to
secure change and interest.
Mr.. James M. Turner, secretary of the New York
City Christian Workers Association. Rev. Mr..
Damn, German missionery; Rev. DR.. Gillette,
(the ChairD and Mr.. Colby, Of Boston, entered
into the discussion.
D. Gurley opened discussion. The following arc
the words: How can the unity Of Christ's follow.
crs be better manifested to tho world'"
DR.. Gurley said 4 mutual exchange Of feelings by
Christians and the unity Of the followers Of Christ
was the surest means of bringing souls to God.
blessed DO the prayer. meetings" he believed
they were the way to the Throne of our Creator,
and they should be encouraged. He hoped that
Christians would consent to step over the denomi-
national line and engage together in the service Of
Christ. Let all Churches whether Baptists,
Msthodists, or Presbytsrians, or other denomina.
tions, aid in the good work by united action, and
much good will DO accomplished thereby. Lot
each and every one exclaim, MEN and brethren,
what shall We do to be saved?" The Doctor pre-.
dicted the time was fast Fastening when the lines
and all would DO one Christian body in the service
Of the Redeemer.
Rev. Mr.. Hunter, (colored,) of Israel church,
spoke at some length on the question under discus
sion.
The secretary (Rev. Mr.. Tu,tin) being here com.
PEELED to retire Rev. I. b. Metals assumed the
duties Of that Office.
Rev. DR.. Ames, of Wesley Chapel, was not dis.
posed to believe that the various denomin nations
were without their uses and benefits and no should
regret TO see any branch Of the Christian Church
obliterated, and yet he believed the time was an.
preaching when there would DO q unity Of the
Churches-a merging Of them into one body and
one effort, He was gratifed to know that all de-
nominations were aiming at the same end, no mat.
ter what the means adopted to arrive at that end.
Mr.. johnson, Rev. DR.. Ball, DR.. T. R. Hewlett,
Rev. Mr.. Reese and DR.. Butler spoke to the sub.
joct, the last announcing that daily prayer
meeting was being held at his church at o'clock,
p m, and invited both pastors and members to
participate daily, and aid In the good work.
Rev. DR.. Gurley said that pastors could promote
Christian unity BY speaking kindly Of each other
He believed Christian churches all had mission to
public.
The sixth topic, to wit: "The poor How can
We best reach them, and make good our Saviour's
declaration that to them the gospel Is preached 2
was here taken up, and Mr. Hardness spoke to the
same. making many valuable suggestions for the
purpose Of reaching that class of persons.
Rev. Mr.. Pitcher, Of the Washington Bible So
oiety, here gave vivid history Of tho condition Of
the poor in this District, which WAS pitiable to
listen to, much less to behold the reality
DR.. Samson closed the discussion in several able
remarks.
Tho exercises were here closed by prayer, and
the convention adjourned to assemble at n clock
p. m. In the main auditorium Of the same church.
EVENING SESSION.
The convention reassembled at 1880 p. m, in Dr.
Gurley's church.
Rev. DR.. Gillette presided and Rev. James p
Tustin performed the duties Of secretary.
Tho exercises were opened with the reading Of a
portion Of Scripture by DR.. Gillette, when Rev
John Bray delivered a fervent and impressive
prayer
The seventh topic, to wit "What is the sphere
and what are the duties Of Young Mems Christian
Associations 20 was taken up for consideration,
and
Rev DR.. J. G. Butler led of in the discussion He
was pleased to see that the Young Mems Christian
Association did not aim to make Baptists, Presby.
terians, or any other denomination specially, but
that they rallied around the one PLATFORM with one
mind and one heart, for the purpose Of making
Christians who may enter the Chursh Of their
choice. It Is written, he said, In the Holy Bible
that II is not good for man to BIO alone and he was
glad to hear that ladies had been admitted into the
association. He believed they would work much
good In this city, There was wide field here for
their operations He was glad to hear that this as
ISOLATION contemplated erecting a spacious hail.