The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1869-02-18
THE CHRISTIAN CONVENTION.

x A Christian Convention for Northwest
ern Minnesota is now in session at the
Congregational church in this place. 'Hhere
are in attendance rs nearly as VIC could
learn p clerical and % lay Delegates rep
resentiug some IS churches, Of tic fellow
ing denomination: Presbyterian, Baptist,
Methodist and Congres atioual.. Also the
American Bible S"ciety Agent, and the
State Sunday School supt. The meetings
thus for have been characterized by fervor,
unity and Christian charity. On Tuesday
evening very good audience was IN at
tendance, though many were detained by
the meeting Of the Normal School Board.
Rev. T. McClnry Of Anoka preached an in
terest,ng sermon from Tim. I, w., 8. dwell.
ing mainly upon the characteristics which
any plan calculated to elevate the world
must possess. 49,
On Wednesday morning Rev, D. Brooks,
Of Monticello, Agent OF the American Bible
Society conducted the devotional exercises:
These we're Of such u character as to give
the discussions that followed the right tone.
The organization Of the Convention was
quietly and quickly made, by the election
Of Judge J. NJ. McKe.vy President, Rev.
D. Brooks and Mr.. G. +. Davis Vice. resi-
dents, unl Rev. 6 Cook Secretary.
DR.. Brown, Of st. Paul, opened the first
topic of discussion in happy manner and
exhibited most catholic spirit ard an e.
larged view of the question, "How can the
Christian activities OF the entire membe, .
slip vrthc churches be est developed -
lne leauing iIc. Of the Il. speech seem
ed to us to be, livery IMAM has WORK,
let every one find the proper work and
push it with vigor." S:veral delegates,
clerical and lay, participated in the discus
sion, and the time passed quickly away.
At 10Y A. NJ, Rev. i. a, Dean, of Month
cello, led off the discussion Of the question,
GLOW can the study Of Gods Word be
made more general ?"
The second session commenced at P. NJ.
opened with prayer by Rev. D. Brooks.
The Secretary resigned and Rev. N. Lathrop
was appointed. Rev. G. .Griswold bein 6
absent, Bro. Geo. W. Prescott, State S. S.
Supt., opened the discussion of the ques.
ton, "By what means can we reach those
who do not come to our churches % Street
preaching and neighborhood prayer meet
ings were named as especially useful for
this purpose, to which several delegates
added, by visiting from house to house, by
distributing religious tracts and generally
by showing them we are interested for
their SOULS welfare.
A half hour was given to devotional ex-
ercises led by Rev. Mr.. Hall, Of Sank Ra-
plds, after which Rev. J.. N. Thresher, of
Fair Haven, opened the subject, "By what
means are We to secure a better observ-
aoce Of the Sabbath :" He pressed two
thoughts LIST, we must preach and teach
more on the subject, and We must secure q
better practice on the part of Christian peo-
pie.
At73 P. ii. large audience gave mark
ed attention to an able discourse 10 young
men, by DR.. Brown, of st. Paul. The DR..
is a close thinker, clear writer and has q
very fair delivery.
Judge McKelvy is presiding to the full
satisfaction Of all, and the Convention so
tar is success. .'We hope will be as
bread cast upon the waters"
The meetin 70 continue through to dav.