The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-18
THE NATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONVENTION.
First Days Observation-Disclosures
esting Discussion.

First Days Observation-Disclosures
esting Discussion.
The National! Christian Convention opened its ses-
SION yesterday morning at ten O'Clock, at the Re-
formed Protestant Dutch church, on the corner OF
Fifth avenue and Twenty ninth street. In this city.
This is somewhat peculiar assembly. perhaps
unique IN its composition and character and differ
ing from any other delberative body Of any Chris.
tan church. IT is In the 1rst place not delegate,
but mass convention. at which all who attend are
members and voters whether male or female,
though the ladies present have so far absained from
active participation. Then the Convention is not
limited TO any one denomination, and all Protest
ants OF whatever school sect. are
entitled 10 seats. Hence there are Baptists--
whether there any OF the "hardshe"
order among them has not yet appeared,
though one gentleman announced himself an Anglo
Baptist whatever that may be-Presbyterians OF the
old and schools, Cnitarians Congregatonalists,
Method,sts with spr.nkling Of Episcopaans OF the
low church order and Of the more advanced so.
called radical tendency. And further, being COM
posed II is. 1t has legislative authority in The
Church, in fact no authority whatever, and there
fore II Is deliberatve body in the strict meaning
the word. bI meets solely for consultation for
comparison OF views and not for debate or deiibera
ton, and the business OF the Convention is confined
TO the discussion OF certain selected TOPICS" TO
which any member may speak q limited time and
for the discussion OF each an hour and q half Is
allowed These discussions are abruptly terminated
when the limit OF the time is reached, and that Is
about ali that Is done.
The Convention was called to order by Rev. DR..
BuDDINGTos, who moved that Mr.. ID. L. Moody, OF
Chicago, be made temporary Chairman, which was
carried, a. was also the motion OF Mr. James
stokes that Mr.. J. b. Tyler be elected Secretary.
Drs Hail and Crosby offered prayers; several hymns
were then sung. after which the Chairman pro tenn.
asked the Convention to Join him In silent prayer,
invoking the assistance OF the Almighty that they
before Alter the silent prayer thus called for an
other hymn was sung and leave was given for any
remarks, prayers or singing as the spirit may
member referred to the death OF Rev. Phineas
Stowe OF Boston, where millsonaircs and their wives
struggled with poor sailors against the police 10 gain
admission TO the church In order to do reverence to
| hls remains.
| Mr. COREY, OF Utica offered prayer for the saliva
ton OF man and better union among Christians TO
accomplish IT, for more zeal and persistent labor.
Rev Dr. CLARK, OF Albany, spoke OF the three Gle
men;s OF e!oquence TO be action action action; aud
\ SO OF Christianity II Is prayer.
Rev. Mr.. dunn. Of Jersey City, prayed again, ap.
| pealing To the throne or the Father for His aid
DR. BLAIR, OF Boston. also referred to Tire death OF
| Dr.. stowe, and said that he called insane, ye
| him. His remarks were followed by the singing
"Swee; hour OF PRAYER" and then the business
proper OF the Convention was entered into.
mr.. J. Z. HOLDEN. OF this city, chairman OF the
Business Committee. reported the following for per
msnent offcers:-Dr. Howard Crosby OF New York,
President; William +. Dodge, OF New York. Clinton
y. FISK, OF 81 LOUIS; John '. farwel, OF Chicago; H.
y. Durant, OF Boston; Jay Cooke, OF Philadelphia
Texas: John y. Cough Of Massachusetts, ana Rev
r. Freiinghuysen Of New Jersey, vice Presidents; j.
ana i. stark. Of Philadelphia secretaries; - Dye
Of New YORK: Is. W. Chldlaw OF ono q. W. Prime
ug.ous press, Honorary secretaries
proposition 20 have the names OF oil who attend
the Convention entered upon a Isl was referred 10
desk IN the vestbue OF the church for that purpose
n was resolved that those opening the discussion
any ..sopcn should have twenty minutes. aud speak
ers following are TO be allowed i've inmates.
The discussion then commenced, and the frst tcpic
was:-
How can the Christian activities OF the entire membership
OF any particular church be beet organized aud deyeoget
rev Dr. J. T. DuRYEA or Brooklyn. an.
nounced as the opening speaker. He commenced
Tyng IT.. who had fret been designated 10 oren
upon this subject lie spoke feengy OF the fact that
p na ress he hoped Sst
while the ministry work zea.ousiy IN Their cshl,
the laty wiz also do their fun duty: sot . soul
that all may no longer be only recipients Of the
bounty OF God. but themselves dispensers Of The
lie was ioliowed by DR.. Blair; Mr.. Moody, OF chi.
| cago; Mr.. Eggeston, OF Ohioi Rev. pr Adans OF
New York; Mr. Mingens, OF New YORK; Dr. C.aiA;
| others.
Mr.. RosrR1s, of Elizabeth. n. j., spoke Of the
Church as system ike the solar system, with The
| ministry az The central point, when the hour OF
| Twelve arrived and the Convention took recess.
| Dr. CROSBY TOOK the chair again az Two u. M ana
| next discusson:--
How can NE people 10 districts reached by Gospel
| infuencesg
Rev. CHESTER noLcoaBg OF Atlanta, Ca. was
| designated ~ commence the discussion ana he went
over pretty much ihe same ground as 10 the neces.
atty ~ saboa,h schools missionary schools and the
AXE, az many bad done before him In The morning.
| MI. LIB, 81 New YORK CITY, gave vent 10 a very
reasonable idea, mat TO bring everybody into the
Church there must be perfect equality within and
that AZ was serious question whether there exist
| any such equality IN the Church
rev Messrs. Irass, OF Boston; Chidlaw of Ohio;