The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1869-03-04
PROCEEDINGS
Of the Iowa State Christian
Convention.
OrTuMwA, Feb. %.
OPENING SERVICES.

OTTUMwA, Feb. %.
OPENING SERVICES.
1 The Second Annual meeting of tn
Iowa State Christian Convention
convened in the First Presbyterial
Church in this city this evening at
o'clock. The house was soon file,
with o crowd of persons, represent
ing all our Protestant denomination
and including a goodly number Q
delegates from abroad.
The Convention was called to OF
der by Rev. Mr.. Thompson, co-pas
tor Of the Ottumwa Presbyterian
Church, who invited Rev. rville G
Shelton, of Eddyville, tolead in pray
er.
Rev. r. A. Clapp, of the Ottumwa
Baptist Church, was then chose,
temporary Chairman and DR.. J. Viii
Hanson, temporary Secretary. A
Committee of Ave was appointed or
Business and Permanent Organiza
ton. The Chair announced Revs
Farwell, Barton, Worcester, anc
Beaman, with Mr.. Ensign, as thu
Committee.
THE ADDRESS OF WELCOME
was then made by Rev. II. Fl. War
ing, of the NJ. E. Church. He hao
expected, until . few hours before
that this agreeable task would bt
performed BY distinguished christ.
ian layman. He called attention tt
the vastness Of the work given the
christians of Iowa to do, and the
necessity of consecrated effort for its
successful accomplishment. He said
they were there not representing
particular churches denominations;
but the one true church OF Jesus that
embraces all who love the Lord
Jesus. In the name of the pastors
and christian people of the city, he
welcomed their fellow-christians to
their churches, their homes, their r
family affairs, their fellowship and
their hearts.
THE RESPONSE
was u.ade by Rev. J. W. Pickett, of
the Mt. Pleasant Congregational
church. In eloquent utteranccs, full
of spiritual feeling, the speaker re-
ferred to the christian objects OF the
Convention, and the feelings and
purposes of the delegates. They had
come to consult as to the work en-
trusted to them and to mlngle their
prayers for n renewed consecration
from above. Infitting terms he ac-
knowledged, in behalf of tho dele
gates, the welcome extended to them
by the pastors and churches of the
city.
s-r.-.-s- Mr. i. 81 tlESsaaSNs .e,.vre.-
Brothers Reynolds and Tying, of
Peoria, would be on hand on Wed
day.
MR.. X. A. BURNELL,
of Milwaukee, then spoke. He re-
lated an incident which occurred on
his way on the cars, where he was
repulsed by some card players with
whom ne conversed, one of whom
was said to be "a member in good
standing of an evangelical church"
After quoting the text: Gas ye have
therefore received the Lord Jesus, so
walk ye in him" he soughti in speech
full of incident, and burning Withheld
ing, to impress upon the Convention
the duty Of consecrated work. Men
were jealous in earthlJ things. He
referred TO the business enterprise
displayed by a Wisconsin lumber
mao, and to the patient perseverance
of Goodyear, the inventor. If these
men could 50 act in earthly things,
how much more persevcring and
Jealous should men be with regard to
heavenly things. He gave graphic
account of his work at Benton,
on the Union Pacific Railroad, and
showed by the effect of the truth on
the hoary gambler and the abandon
ed female, that even the worst may
be reached by gospel influences.
After arranging for prayer meet
ing on tomorrow at 6 a. M, the Con-
vention adjourned to meet in the
in the same place on tomorrow at 8
o. no.
Wednesday, Feb. 24-9 a. m.
The Convention met pursuant to
adjournment.
The Committee on Permanent Or
ganization reported as follows:
President-Rev. II. S. De Forest,
of Desl Moines.
Vice Pres,dents-Hon. S. NJ. Mer-
rill, Rev. r. A Clapp, Of Ottumwa,
II. Scott Howell, of Keokuk, Rev. O.
c. Shelton, OF Eddyville, and Rev. J..
e. Ryan, of Ottumwa.
Socretaries-Judge J. S. Porter, of
Ottumwa, and r. NJ. Haines, Of Grin
nell
Reporters-Revs. E. II. Waring
and Fl. Bross, of Ottumwa.
Committee on Enrollment-C. P.
Hauger, Of Newton. Ed. Chambers,
of Ottumwa, and r.. Hubbard, of
Kirkville.
Finance Commi:tee-Wm. Daggett
DR.. J. Williamson and Carey In
skeep.
Tho report was adopted.
Rev. Mr.. De Forest then led in
prayer.
The Committee on Business made
a report on the programme for the
day, which was adopted.
The lst topic was taken up, viz
ssThe necessity of more earnest
Christian effort"
Its discussion was opened by Rev.
r. A. Clapp, who dwelt upon the
importance of Christian effort, not on
ly on the point of the ministry, butthe
laity. They can often times better
accomplish the work than the minis.
try. The most efficient churches
are those whose laymen are most
active and jealous. This is consis.
tent with secular duties. Men may
be ''diligent in business, fervent in
spirit, serving the Lord"
Rev. Mr.. Van Emmons thought
this the most important qcostion OF
the day, vitality connected with the
welfare Of the churches.
Mr.. Ensign said that the impor.
tance of this effort was shown in the
fact that IN this way converts were
drawn into churches. Whom there
| is this effort there is always revivals
There is a necessity for it. The peo
plo are urlttlng away from the
Churches. The young men are drift