The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-01-10
THE WEEK OF PRAYER.
INTERESTING SERVICES YESTERDAY IN NEW
YORK AND BgooKLyN-RELfGIoN IN TIE

INTERESTING SERVICES YESTERDAY IN NEW
YORK AND NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. IN TIE
FAMILY.
The weather yesterday slightly lessened the consre-
cations that gathered for the observance OF the Week
New York, and the Young MEMS Christian Asso-
citation Hall, Brooklyn. In both places, however.
the services were very interesting because OF the
topics 10 be considered and prayed over which touched
every neart and homo They Included prayer Tor
Christian families, Tor sick and afflicted members for
children at school and for all youth In colleges
and somnaries OF learning for young men entering
upon the active business OF c aud abroad.
and for our sons and daughters openly confcsspg
Christ
Dr. Crawford, presiding elder Of the New Y DIRK dis
trict OF the Now York Conference OF the Mothodist
Episcopal Church. who led the exercises in Madison
Square Church Yesterday, remarked tho institution OF
the family is divine God setteth the solitary tam.
HES Tho family is the only thing the human side
that answers tho longing Of tho soul The family Is
older than the Church the State and exerts IN
bounded influence ooth The Church or the State
never be better than the lamily. ono OF the great
wants OF the Christian Church to-day Is hi cher edu.
cation, clearer impression oil holiness and purity IN
the religion OF tho family. And 1t may DO one oi The
great pcrs OF the Church, ana OF the country
itseli-the LACK OF family religion and tue
non-reaiizaiIon of the obligations that rest
anc every woman pricsess IN his or her household
and family. Before the pulpit the preacher or
eacner ~ ne privilege oil tho parent 10 instruct inc
children, and he who teaches others teaches himself
also II supposed that parents arc doing what they
can TO compass the salvation OF their children,
and that their sons and daughters may make
a profession OF aith IN Christ Bnt too many
Of Us, the Doctor said, are satisfied our
children obedicnt ana faithful at homo and bring
disce edit upon tho family, while they, well as
We, know that they cannot DO saved except by the
washing OF regeneration and renewing OF the Holy
r. uts a See N
children make such profession OF faith. lie could not
understand the state OF any parents hearts that do not
seek thus 10 lend their children 10 Christ. our chill.
dren need our comfort and care out they noed much
more tho companionship oil the saviour They may DO
lar uway on land sou, where our eyes canHot see
Them; but our hearts think Ct them and pray for
them aud Goa eau answer our prayers and help them.
Dr. h.. L. Rogers, oil the South Reformed Church,
Filth avenue. remarked that oil the entire series OF
topics for tho week those for To-day yesterday
the most important And Of those that touching the
family was most important Tneto ~ NO topic, he
said, iull OF interest, rich and iu OF encourage
inents tor prayer ana praise US TINS. There Is
household covenant that comes down TO us throu IN
all the ages declaring Gods iathuncss to and
children Generations are built uorvory day this
covenant OF tho family DR.. Holaich and others took
part In the service by prayer and remarks.
THE OBSERVANCE IN BROOKLYN
DR.. +. De Witt ralwuge led the meeting in Associa-
prayer that going up millions OF hearts ali
over the world. London and Liverpool New York
and Philadelphia, Brooklyn and Boston, Chicago and
San Francisco we're all engaged IN prayer for tho
same subjects. And taking into account Tho
difference in time there was no part Of Tho
day, he said, that was not thus occupied
with the voice Of praise or prayer Referring moro
particularly TO the family the Doctor remarked that
unless people saved Ia curly lilo they don't atond
TO religion at ALI Save one generation Tor GOD, he
said, aud you have tho millennium II we could get
tho generation now coming up consecrated TO God
this world would be remodollcd that II could
sink back again. II is very interesting 10 know
how tho Lord saved sons and daughters years ago,
but II IS OF very little PRACTICAL benefit TO who
want our IONS aud daughters saved to-day. But u
stand up here and tell how the Lord saved
him from drunKard's grave or restored HIS prod
iga son IN answer 10 prayer, then We get leverage
for our prayers which we eau use here and now.
Tho Doctor then related some instances Of this
character which had como under his own observa-
lion. One day merchant In great trouble entered his
vestry aud told hin his son had loft home aud gone Oh
q wunderer he knew not where The Doctor.euggesle
prayer anu the result proved Just wnilo the Two
pray the writing letter Of contri-
ton from Omaha and returned homo again and Is
exemplary Christian. Another parent, proni-
nent business man IN Wall street, was hall crazy bc-
cause son OF mis- had gone oil to sea. Tho Doctor
and himself kGelt In prayer IN tho latters Office and
before eleven O'Clock that night the mad repentel
ms rashness and returned homo to be "A better ana
more oDedient son. Another case was that OF q
chant In Brooklyn whom the Doctor met on the street.
lie was 81 eaty troubled about son oil his whom he
had not heard IRON tor fourteen years. The two re-
tired 10 pray over the matter, and low days later a
telegram from California told the father that the
was there and dcsirous OF returning II his iathcr
willing The response was Affirmative and the son
came back and the homo was reconstructed. After
these incidents volunteer remarks and prayers were
INDUCED In by persons Ia tho audience.
AT rnE CHURCH or THg DiscIPLEs.
tho services at Rev. George IL. uepworth's Church
OF tho Disciples were wei attended. Great disap-
pointment was expressed that tho pastor
present. For tho past two he mas becn sulcr-
ing disease OF tho throat, and tho evening
was stormy ho did not dare TO venture out DR..
Ranney made brof address IN his stoad Alter stat
ing the Tor the PASTORS absence tho Doctor
marked that Christ had come INTO the meeting those
pre- would not have attended IN vain despite Mr..
Hepworth's nUn-appcarance. Most OF the Speakers
remarks had reference 10 the sanct:ty Of tho family
altar aud the holy associations that cling around IL.
The Doctor referred To his own early home, and dwelt
upon the influence which IL had oxertcd upon his
life and that OF his brothers lie exported his hearers
to throw every possible shield around their children
and 10 build thcm up IN all good impulses.