The New York herald., 1868-05-31
Tho May Meetings.

descendants. In the Old World the represen-
tatives of tho churches have gone up from time
immemorial to some recognized centre in the
month Of May, very much as the ancient Jews
were wont to 60 up at stated times to the an
nual feasts at Jerusalem. 1t is not difficult to
understand why such gatherings should be
deemed desirable and why, in Northern Europe
as well as in the United States and in Canada,
the month of May should have the preference.
Business as well as pleasure business, in fact,
rather than pleasure-renders such reunions
necessary, and the month of May, which is for
many reasons the sweetest month of all the
twelve, is perhaps the best that could be chosen.
In England, in Scotland, in ireland, whence
have come chiefly the influences which
are giving tone and character to the entire
North American Continent the May meetings
are always the dominant sensation of the time
In London, Exeter Hall, during the month of
May, becomes a more attractive centre than
assembled divines command an attention which
is grudgingly given to the debates in Parlia-
ment. Edinburg during the month of May,
with its Lord High Commissioner, its two
General Assemblies, and its not less preten-
tious Synod, revives somewhat of its ancient
during the same period becomes similarly at
tractive centre
Considering the sources from which the
American population has been drawn, it would
have been strange if the institutions of the Old
World had not been transferred to and trans
planted in the New 1t is not strange that
they have. Congregationalism or independ-
encey remains true to its original type. 1t may
have become somewhat modified in doctrine,
but it has remained faithful to the old system
of government. The same may be said of the
Protestant Episcopal Church, of the Methodist
body, Of the Baptist communion and of the
Presbyterians. In most essential particulars
they are what they originally were and in no
vital point different from the sister denomina-
tions on the other side. Absolute freedom
from State patronage and control, while it has
given them larger freedom of action, has not in
any way robbed them of their essential charac-
teristics. Considering that the May meetings
have ever been an important adjunct of the
bodies from which the bulk of the American
churches have sprung, and with which they are
still affiliated, it is not wonderful that here
these meetings should be found even greater
success than they are on the other side.
1t has grati6ed us, and it cannot but be
gratifying to every one who has the welfare of
the United States at heart and who believes
that righteousness exalteth nation, that the
May meetings this year have been unusually
interesting and successful The meetings of
more general kind which were held in this city
in the early part of the month were not only
well attended, but in pecuniary point of view
prosperous beyond precedent. New York has
just cause to be proud that during the past year
religion and morality sum not less than seven
millions of dollars New York unquestionably
abounds with iniquity. In its gambling and
other bells, in its reckless disregard of human
life, in its rioting, gaudy and unblushing licen-
tiousness, it has much cause to be ashamed;
but seven millions of dollars contributed in the
course of the year for the advancement of
morality and religion speaks of the existence
of healthy conservative element in the midst
of us, and goes far to explain why we have
not been abandoned to the fate of Sodom and
Gomorrah of old. 1t ought not to be forgotten
that these seven millions of dollars do not
represent a cent Of the many thousands,
if not millions, which are raised
and spent by one Of our largest and most
active Christian organizations; nor is 1t in any
other way to be regarded as exhaustive of the
burdens voluntarily imposed upon themselves
by the religious portion of the community In
spite Of all our wickedness London is, perhaps,
the only city which in this particular can show
a fairer record than New York; but we have
the consolation, whatever may be its worth,
that if London exceeds us in her contributions
for religious and moral purposes, she exceeds
us also in population and in vice.
The religious meetings which have been held |
in the various centres during the last two |
weeks have been of a different character.
They have been chiefly, If not entirely, denomi- |
national. Though we cannot approve of all the |
proceedings Of the conventions, conferences,
assemblies or synods, we cannot refuse to
admit that the different sections of the Church |
Of which these gatherings were representatives
are revealing dnmistakable signs of life,
health and vigor. The various denominations,
in numbers, in wealth and in evangelistic
activity sustain to each other very much the
same relations that they did in former years,
the Methodist body still marching at the head.
In some places the Presbyterian Church seems
to be gaining ground, in others the Protestant
Episcopal in others the Baptist, in others the
Independent; but while most are growing the
proportions are not materially altered One of
the most hopeful signs of the times is the ten
dency which is revealing Itself in various quar-
ters in favor of incorporate nnion There is