New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-09-24
TIE FUL1ON-ST PRAYER-MRETING.
TIE ELEVENTH ANNIVERSARY.


The MONDAY prayer-mectngs instituted in
the Conssory Rooms OF the North Dutch Church In Full.
ton.st, in September 1856. have now been continued
eleven years and become bcttor known than any similar
meeting In tho world Thousands OF Christian aud
from other lands. and from distant parts Of
own land, aud hundreds OF thousands OF merchants
have. during these eleven years gathered at this place
and witnessed scenes OF religious orHOr aud awakening
such Us nave laicy Oseh seen ei'eWheIc', iEotts 10
reach the young men IN the large elites Of Europe by
OF prayermectings held Ia the vicinity OF their
places of busness had long before been crowned with
good measure Of success and IN 1856, Mr. Richard g. Me
COrmick, member aud accredited agent ~ the Young
Mems Christian Association OF TINS city, returned from
Europe where he bad examined the systems adopted
aud In Ills report dWct ut considerable length on the
MONDAY prayermeotnes held in tho business streets Of
London. Much interest IA tho subject was awakened,
members ~ the Young Mems Christian Association wero
appointed 10 inquire into the praccabity VI opening
Discussions about the reports madO by these
mittcos and there was for time great enthusiasm; but
time passed and nothing was accomplished. tho inter
ost partially died out ana obtained that
tho movement had been premature. ii9t one or two
Puck" that cannot brook defeat SIN cuns 10 the idea
ina, ina, daily meetings might be , sustained and
set themselves about finding place IN which
70 make the experiment Tho management
Of the old John 81 M H. Church was st applied 10 for
the Of their house but II perslsently refused.
Mr. L. L. Dean, who had all along been the manager OF
the movement, then applied 10 tho Rev. Dr. Thomas
Dewt, junior pastor Oh the North Dutch ChuIch, and
favOraby received Dr. Dewitt conferred with DR..
pication To e church masters OF the Collegiate Dutch
Church. with letter Of recommendation and The request
was Immediately granted. Weekly prayer meetings were
after commenced at which Mr. Dean presided and
Mr.. LtterngtOn was secretary. When the young men
thought they had gained strength sufficient they opened
their daily meeting about tho middle OF September For
long time the OF these meetings doubtful:
they very poorly attended aud lasted but half
hour In short time they were discontinued during three
days OF the week. and during tho next Summer ClOsed
altogether. The inerrcgnum was short however, for
MI. Lanphin, mombor Of the ConsistOry Of tho
Church conceived the Idea Of reOpeung them aud
after the young Joined with him and meetings
went on under moro favorable auspices. Mr.. Lanphin
my rounds in the performance Of my duty day, as
walking along the streets tho idea suggested
my mind that an hour OF prayer, from II 20 O'clock
would be beneficial 10 business Arrangements were
made and az ~ O'Clock, noon. the 23d day Of SCpom-
hcr, 1857, the door of the third story lecture room
THROWN open. AT 2i o'clock the step OF solitary idl
yjdnal was heard upon the stars."
A great impetus was given To these meetings by The
great financial cIiss OF 1918 When disaster aud ruin
como upon men, when they see their earthly treasures
melting away, thoy turn 10 Christianity, and lcSln to
think Of laying mp treasures in heaven. 70 the yeas
1857 and - vii DO as long remembered for the great
ylya that took place In thus city fox the great crash
that almost destroyed the business ~ the metropolis
The rooms ~ The North DutcI wund not contain the
crowds that hocked there other churches were illcd
every public hail was hired aud meetings held In places
Of business, aud even In tieatcrs. Not less than 20
prayer were Ia daily session IN tho business
portions ~ tho city aud tnou-auds procscd CONVERSION
nee thii time ihU iaJ tr-utrHLa lu iulluhHt have
b-Ca continued WItuuu utcrnisIou. ana have always
been well attended. Thousands have hero obtained