140 THE UNITED STATES IN PROPHECY.
gave a full report, like that of the Pittsburgh Commer
cial or the Globe of Boston, but the other papers also
contained full and respectful aecounts of the proceedings.
Fully oue thousand people were present at the opening
session, and at least three hundred at the day sessions on
Thursday. Three hundred and ninety-four names were
enrolled as members of the Convention. The address of
J. C. Wells, Esq., a lawyer from Chillicothe, Illinois,
was marked by the same vigor of argument and fervent
Christian spirit which lend so much power and attract-
iveness to his able little book entitled, ‘Our National
Obligation.” Mr. Wells was also chosen president of the
Convention. The friends in 8t. Louis and vicinity are
heartily to be congratulated on this result.
“The closing resolution adopted at the Convention
reads: —
“ ¢ Resolved, That, recognizing the importance of this
subject, we pledge ourselves to present and advocate it
until the nation shall declare its Christian character, as
it has, with one consent, already asserted its freedom in
the charter of our rights and liberties.’ ”
Nov. 9, 1875, a special meeting of the National
Association was held in Philadelphia, Pa., at which
meeting the Association took steps, which have since
been carried out, to become incorporated in law, un-
der the name of the “ National Reform Association.”
The Christian Statesman of Nov. 20, 1875, con-
tained the following notice of this meeting :—
~ “The evening session was well attended, and was al-
together the most encouraging meeting in behalf of the
cause held in this city for many years.”
The subsequent action of the executive committee
is reported as follows: —
“The executive committee has since taken steps to ob-
tain a charter of incorporation for the Society, and to se-
THE BEGINNING OF THE END. 141
cure an office which shall be a recognized oad quarters
E i rations a wpository of its publications, es-
for its operations and depos y of its |
pecially during the centennial year.
An important mecting was held in Philadelphia
at the time of the Centennial Exposition, and meet-
i "sl 1 rts of
ings have been held cach year since, 1n all pa
untry.
be Assoviation has at the present time the fol
lowing board of officers: A president, correspon: ing
secretary, financial secretary, recording soeretary,
treasurer, four district secretaries, and fifty-three
: vice-presidents. Among these, besides the president,
' Hon. Felix R. Brunot, Pittsburgh, Pa, are seven
t Reverends, twenty-eight D. D's (sixteen of these
are presidents of, or professors in, colleges anc 0 cr
! institutions of learning, and most of the others are
© bishops and presiding elders), nine LL. D.s, four
F justices of supreme courts, two editors, two gen
erals, ete.
Whatever influence great names can impart, to
any causc is certainly secured in favor of this. Mr.
- F.’E. Allott, editor of the Index, published in Bos-
ton, Mass, who was present at the Cincinnati Con,
> cy N )
vention, and presented a protest against its aims an
efforts, thus speaks of those who stand at the head
“E of this movement: —
: \ ii ar-
«We found them to be so thoroughly sincere and e
mest in their purpose, that they did not fear the effect of
a decided but temperate protest. This fact speaks vol-
umes in their praise as men of character and convictions.
We saw no indication of the artful management whic
characterizes most conventions. The leading men, ev
‘D. McAllister, Rev. A. M. Milligan. Prof. Sloane, Prof
Stoddard, Prof. Wright, Rev. T. P. Stevenson, impress
us as able, clear headed, and thoroughly honest men; ne
we could not but conceive a great respect for their mo-