A Revival Prayer Meeting

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A REVIVAL PRAYER MEETING.

We have already mentioned that the revival movement which has attained such importance in New York, has extended to this city, and is progressing by means of special services in many of our churches. A prayer meeting is held at four o’clock every afternoon in the Fourth street Reformed Dutch Church, which appears to be the central point of the movement in this district. Thinking that a sketch of the proceedings at one of these meetings might not be out of place while the topic absorbs so large an amount of the public attention, we present the following.

Conspicuously placed on the right hand side of the front as we approach the edifice, is a notice in large characters, apprising the spectator that “a prayer meeting is held here this afternoon at four o’clock.” For some time previous to that hour one and another, and sometimes a whole group of persons, is seen to enter at the side door. Most of these walk straight in, having evidently come to the spot for that purpose; but not a few appear to be accidental visitors, whose attention has been arrested by the placard, or by the spectacle of others passing in.

Entering punctually at the appointed hour yesterday, we found the vestry room on the ground floor filled so densely that no amount of packing would suffice to accommodate late-comers—so that a second meeting had to be organized in an upper room. During the singing of the first hymn we had time to look around and obtain an idea of the situation. Like all other meetings of a religious character, the ladies formed the better half, numerically, of the audience. There was, however, an encouraging proportion of young men. Parents in some few instances had brought small children with them—very imprudently, we think, as these little folks are too young to appreciate or understand the object of the gathering, and by their restlessness distract the attention of the serious. The windows, with a commendable regard for the health and comfort of the audience, had been lowered an inch or two at the top; but soon after the meeting opened, an old gentleman who probably regards the science of ventilation as a newfangled humbug, very carefully closed them. The only fault observable in the arrangements was that the seats were placed too close to each other to allow of the occupants kneeling during prayer. Without carrying our reverence for mere forms to excess, we cannot believe that the sitting posture is favorable to devotional feeling, or that it is a proper attitude for supplication.

The platform at the end of the room was occupied by the Rev. Drs. McLane and Porter, and the Rev. Mr. Wells, the first named gentleman conducting the exercises. The participators, however, were mostly laymen—who, with others of the audience, comprised many of the individuals best known in the community in connection with the philanthropic and religious institutions and movements of the district. The tone of the prayers and addresses was evangelical, without an indication of denominational preference.

The exercises consisted of prayers, singing, and addresses. Though no limitation of time was mentioned, no single exercise occupied more than five minutes. In some instances, an individual was called on by name to pray; but usually the invitation was general. The singing was accompanied by music on an instrument—either a melodeon or piano, apparently.

The utmost order and decorum prevailed—though at the same time there appeared to be no lack of fervor, either on the part of the persons actively engaged, or on that of the audience. A feeling of solemnity and reverence, rather than of enthusiasm or impulse, pervaded the meeting. There was no symptom of that predominance of feeling over reason, which is popularly supposed to be inseparable from “revivals.” The chief difference perceptible between the tone of this meeting and that of ordinary religious gatherings, was a deeper and more earnest attention—a clearer and more potential conviction of the obligation to pray, and of the power of prayer. The actual presence of the Divine Being was strongly inculcated, both in petitions and exhortations—and this one idea seemed to have firmly and almost exclusively fastened itself upon the minds of the auditory.

We took notes of some of the addresses, but on second thoughts deem it unnecessary to publish them. As we have said, they were pointed, brief, impressive and effective—but apart from the occasion and circumstances which called them forth, they would lose their relevancy, and appear fragmentary and disjointed. At all events, their publication would add nothing to the clearness—be it more or less—with which we have depicted the proceedings. Dr. Porter’s remarks were designed to show the nature, reality, and importance of the object which had called the audience together; Dr. McLane’s, to prove the efficacy of prayer.

The meetings are punctually closed at five; and as there are but few who cannot abstract an hour from their ordinary daily avocations, and as the movement has evoked an interest not only throughout, but beyond, what are termed religious circles, it may confidently be predicted that the numbers in attendance will still largely increase from day to-day.