New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-07-19

and his influence in the Convention
was very great. We hope he will be
its next President.
While engaged in this free criticism
we mayrefer to other points which must
undergo considerable modification.
By a rule which the Convention fool
ishly adopted no resolution could be
discussed unless by suspension of
the rules, or reported back to the
Convention by the Business Com
mittee to whom it had been referred.
This method of procedure is circuit
Gus, cumbersome, and anti-republican.
No body of Americans should thus
voluntarily surrender the right of free
speech and of open discussion. If it
is the better way to have Business
Committee to report what may and
what may not be discussed in open
Convention, then let one day be set
apart for the offering and debate Of
resolutions. We consider it also q
great drawback to the interests of the
Convention to invite a dozen gentle
men to speak on the same evening,
and limit them to FIVE minutes each.
1t is not possible that any one sub
jeot is susceptible of being treated ia
twelve different ways, and hence rep
itition is inevitable; and were it not
inevitable it were impossible for more
than one out of twelve speakers to
make a hit. More than once Presi-
dent Miller was compelled to apologize
for not putting twenty-fou- speakers
on the programme for each evening,
such was the demand that each dele
cation should be represented in pub
lie. This evil must be boldly met,
and the Committee on Public Meet
ings should select three or four good
speakers for the presentation of the
subject in view.
The spirit of the Convention was
admirable. The flower of the Chris
tan army was there. We looked with
pride upon those noble forms, and re-
joieed in the heavenly light that
beamed from those manly faces. The
singing was delightful; the prayers
fervent; the addresses earnest.
When business and the excessive heat
produced a momentary impotence,
they engaged in prayer. When some
grew heated in debate, and the way
out was not clear, they either sang
some sweet melody, or went to the
throne of grace. The speaking was
most animated. The discussion of
lay preaching was the most sensible,
appropriate, and powerful we ever
heard. Each in his turn gave his ex-
perience on this important subject;
and while all spoke with difference
of the clergy, yet all impressed us
that there was a work to do which
ministers can't do. Prayer meetings
were held in the morning from five
to six, and from six to eight in the
evenings; open air meetings were held
to the edifcation of many. The piety
and zeal manifested were refreshing,
and more than once we wished that
all the American pastors were pres
ent to behold the spirit there display
ed, and catch the youthful fire.
From a small beginning this move
ment has grown to large proportions.
There are now not less than 10000
members of these associations in our
country, with real estate for their use
valued at 100000. And if we may
infer the future from the past
another year will add 10000 to the
membership. This is indeed a great
power to rise up in the midst of the
American Church, and we may ask,
what of the future? The tendency of
all such organizations is separation
and independence. The Wesleyans
we're such body in the established
without thought of a separ-
ate existence, but circumstances
thrust them out, and they became a
Church. If our pastors were even
worldly wise, they would encourage
shese associations in their rightful !
and heavenly work, and thus control
hem. Opposition will not destroy |
Them, but win increase the tendencies
10 secede. Some pastors are too |
Jealous to be generous; too indolent to |
cooperate; hence, they either oppose
'r are Indifferent. Rather, they |
should see in this, Gods handiwork, |
"a wheel within WHEEL and recog-
lizing the usefulness of such organi-
induce each young man in
heir congregations to join the associa-
ion. For these young men constitute
he real and efficient workers in Gods |
Church, and are doing more for the
immediate salvation Of men than any |
'ther portion of the church. In this
ipecial work Of lay preaching, they
re tha nastnr,s aid-da-narnns- rhna.l