The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1869-02-25
THE CHRISTIAN CONVENTION.

Z THE CHRISTIAN CONVENTION.
We last week gave notice Of the Christ
ian Convention as far as it had progressed
whom We went to press. The meetings on
Thursday were even moro interesting than
those already reported. Thursday morn
ing's session opened with prayer by Rev.
; N. Lathrop. Of Paynesville. Rev. J. G. D.
= Stearns, Of Clearwater, introduced the
subject Of tho morning, Chow may the
poor DO most etfectuslly reached by tie
, churches :" He made three points: l.
We must moro fully recognize the poor. 2.
p"r ur such a course that they will ~.
Kew W. r,e"rl them Us poor 3 Al ,'
tao "'bls rub OF rv""geliz~t,on IL NJ.
e"llre mcmb rship OF the church work 10
lead all to church and to Christ wilhou,
regard TO distinctions. H. z. Mitchell
thought the Sunday School a most potent
agency. Others spoke on the question,
and the Convention seemed evidently deep
~ interested in it.
Rev. H. Webb, st. Anthony, led in do.
votionnl exercises for half an hour, and
sweet spirit Of devotion pervadel the meet
ing.
Rev. D. B. Jackson, of Kingston, in an
earnest and happy manner led the discus
sion OF tho question, "How can our devo.
tional meetings be made more interesting
and profitable ?" He said make them in
formal; throw the responsibility Of the
meeting on the laity; give tho meeting
some definite thought or phase Of Christian
experience; let there be variety and
get all to take part; have children's
meetings. and meetings for women. Rev.
Lathrop endorsed Rev. Jackson's speech.
especially the remark that all should take
part. Rev. Webb related an amusing Incl.
dent Of now q man who prayed too long
was cured, gr satly to the good Of the meet
ings. He pressed the thought that speech
es and prayers should be short and to the
subject Of thought. Under this head the
question Of the part women should take in
social religious meetings came up. There
seemed to be general agreement that
they should not only be permitted but en-
oouraged to take part by speaking and
prayer in devotional meetings.
The afternoon session was opened with
prayer by Rev. VIM. Copp, of Sank Rapids.
Rev. A. H. Reed, Of Sank Centre led the
question, "How can the influence Of Christ
ian homes be increased - He regretted
the absence Of Rev. Brooks, who was to
have opened the question. He said,
''make home pleasant by politeness, by
suitable amusements, (as music, reading.
etc., by prayer and Industry Others
spoke with point and interest IN the ques-
| ton.
Rev. W. W. Rork, Of Clearwater, being
absent, Rev. Copp gave answer to the
question, ''What stands in the way of re-
vival Of religion, and what can be done to |
secure the waking up Of the churches in
behalf Of such . result :" The difficulties |
would be removed, he said, when the ques-
lions already discussed should be answer
ed in the practice Of the Christian people |
Of the Northwest. On the second part of
the question lie said, let every one be fill
ed with Christ. Others spoke feelingly.
Rev. Rulifson, by request, spoke, stating
that there were 1T different points in the
State REVEALS Of some extent, but no gen.
eral sweeping work. He said let us look
for great things and let us go home to work
for Christ.
Rev. 3. A. Dean, Of Monticello, led the
devotional exercises for half an hour. 1t
was time Of interest.
Rev. O. II. Elmer, Of Sank Centre, in
stead Of Rev. A. J. Pike, opened the last
question, "Hew can those in rural dis
districts, remote from churches, be reach
ed by gospel influences by visiting.
neighborhood preaching and prayer meet,
ings, and by cul.ivatinz Christian familiar
ity with tho people, The speaker incl
dentally referred to the evil Of proselyting
from one church to another. He thought
it could result only in evil. The opinion
was heartily endorsed by the Convention.
The evening meeting on Thursday was
: fitting finale to the excellent meetings Of
the two days preceding Rev. Creighton
took charge. As Judge Williams, Of
Poughkeepsie, once said Of meeting he
attended many years ago, s'They could
not be very formal, for they had little
praying, little singing, little exhorta-
ton, little shouting and praisiAg Of God,
and there was little or no room for dead
Formally; it appeared that they were all
alive" So it was to great extent in this
meeting. Near the close, the Secretary
read the following resolutions, which were
passed by large, rising vote:
Reso!eed, By tho delegates and visitors
Of the Christian Convention: That We
have greatly enjoyed our visit to St. Cloud,
aud our entertainment in the various
Christian families Of the city, and We do
hereby tender to them our sincere thanks,
and assure them they shall share an inter-
est in our prayers, as We 60 to our several
homes, and We crave An interest in theirs.
Christian Brethren
"There 10 . scene where spirits blend
Where friend holds fellowship with friend,
Though sundsred far by faith they meet
Around one common mercy seat.
A0s uo NoAy uocb tuS1o 0uu LOOK 1OE the |
descent Of the Holy Spirit upon eur whole
northwest.
D. B. JACKSON,
]. N. THRESHER, |
BENZ. A. DEAN, |
N. LATHROP.
To this Rev. Campbell made happy re-
Spouse.
The Secretary then read tho following:
Resolved, That tho ability and Christian
courtesy Of our Chairman, in presiding
over the Convention, commands our high
est esteem and Christian love.
H. WEBB,
o. H ELMER.
Judge McKelvy responded most felici-
tously to this merited compliment. We
would be glad to give the response in full,
but fear to mar it by reporting only from
memory.
In giving these closing exercises Of the !!
Convention, We would take occasion to re-
fer to tho address Of welcome by Rev. G. I.
Wood. Of this city. It was hearty, genial,
full ofearnestness and the spirit Of Christ |