The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-19
THE NATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONVENTION.
The Second Day-Infcrcstimg Declarations
The Rich and the P0or-Rent Of Pews-Free
Churc;,es-yyar Ou Secfn rim u;su..

The Second Day-Intcrcstimg Declarations
The Rich md the P0or-Rent of Pews-Free
Churches-War ON Scctarianisms.
The true character OF this Convention developed
itself somewhat more fully during the proceedings
OF yesterday. 1t appears that there is an under
current OF sentiment moving majority OF those In
attendance in favor OF closer union Of the several
Protestant denominations and the downfall OF
sectarianism In the interest of the Church.
But it is doubtful whether this Conven-
ton, having no legislative nor any other
authority over any OF the organized branches
of the Christian church. will be able do anything
towards this, since resolution introduced yes
terday morning by Mr.. Reynolds, OF ingston, on
entirely different subject was objected TO, as the
passing OF resolutions was not the object for which
they had convened
From nine to ten A. H. there was prayer meet
ing, led by Or. Chickering, OF Boston. summary
Of the discussion OF tho day previous was then
reported by Rev. Dr. Sutphen for the days
meetings and by Rev. DR.. Cnickerng for the evening
session. Few. Or. Washburn, OF Constantlnope, then
opened upon the first topic for the day-"woman's
Work In the Church." In earnest language
and with many illustrations drawn from his own ex-
pcriencc he detailed the different ways in which wo-
man may exert'her benign and powerful influence
for the Church, and gave an extended description OF
the ignorance and superstition ruling in tho East
Drs. Trasx and Dyer OF Massachusetts, and Blair, OF
New York. all exhorted woman to give her aid to the
Church, as one of the powerful auxarics for the
spread OF the Gospel and Dr. Corey OF Utica referred
TO the fact that spending sabbath with spur
geon IN London he saw over 500 ladies' employed
in sabbath school work. This discussion closed with
o hymn and o prayer. and then DT. Cyrus ID. Foss,
pastor OF the Trinity Methodist Church Of this city,
commenced an essay on the topic "Why do so many
churches fall to reach the poorsn After introduce
tion in which he spoke OF the different conditions Of
society In republican America erica from , that N mon,
want TO reach the poor. individuals may, but the
organized church will not. They plant outposts,
missionary chapels, but Will not admit the poor TO
the church on terms OF equality; and II q lnborer,
with his hard, horny hands, were to enter one OF
and the seats are ned so high in price that tho poor
cannot AFFORD to rent them. Promiscuous assem-
bies only are conducive TO the welfare OF the church.
for in rich congregations corruption sets In, the
preaching becomes emascuated and tho Gospel IL
virtually suppressed. lie was followed by DIR. Van
Doren, OF New York, and DR.. Adams, OF Connecticut.
The latter declared that there should be no pew
rents no buying and selling Of seats In the church OF
God, which was loudly appauded. Mr; waterbury,
for free churches and believed that the pew rent sys-
TEN must give way. Rev. DR.. Crosby, the chairman,
took the floor, remarkng that while striving TO take
care OF the poor they should not forget the rch for
IL Il among the rich that the worst heathcns in this
city are found After number OF others had spoken
TO the same subject, Mr. ID. l.. Moody, OF Chit
cago, called upon them TO be honest aud
admit that many churches do not want the
poor. and he related that once he endeayored
10 take crowd from "a street meeting into church,
and the pastor asked him not TO do It, they would
sOii the Clrpclb Inc pfaCtCc now IL, ne SAID, that
TO the rich the Gospel was 10 be administered on
golden spoon, while pewter was believed TO be good
enough for the poor. Rev. Messrs. Banvard, OF New
Jersey, and FERRIS OF Pttsburg, defended moderate
pew rents, when Mr.. Reynolds, OF Kingston, offered
resolution on the subject, which, being objected 10
as not germane to the purposes OF the Convention
was referred to the Business Committee. other
speakers followed. when Rev. Dr. McMian, OF New
Castle, drought down the house" by quoting from
first Timothy, oh. H.. V. o.
In like manner Also that women aiorn themselves IN
modest apparel with shameaccdncs and sobrcy, not with
broidered hair, or gold, pearl costly array
He declared that contrary 10 this Scriptural in
junction, most women go 10 the church bedecked
with all the ndicrous 1neries and follies OF fashion.
TO show themselves on, because 1t was cheaper tnan
the theatre. After some other speeches on the same
subject the Convention took recess al haii-psst
twelve O'Clock.
Afternoon session.
After prayer Mr.. Ralph Wells, OF New York, gave
his views at length upon ''The Rest Method OF Con
Quoting sabbath schools" His exposition, based
upon his own experience, was so detail.
60 and 50 much appreciated by the Con-
vention that when his twenty minutes
expired, he was given ten minutes more by the
UNANIMOUS vote VI the house. lie touched up0n