The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-11-09
nnur.h Prnnneri.Y.

We observed recently in Boston paper
some most excellent propositions for the Or
ganization and gro With of churches, which
will apply to Portland as well as any other
place. The writer says:
There probably is not one church out of
twenty in New England which could not in-
crease its power in the community u which
it is located ten fold ii it could hit upon
some plan Tor thorough organization-so as
to interest its members in the work which de-
wolves upon them. Happy indeed is the
church which has pastor who has the abili-
ty TO devise such q plan, and the heart
and enthusiasm to interest his people iu IL.
Such church and pastor will be what The
Master said his disciples should be, "a city
upon hill which cannot be hid.D, 1t will be
a live, vigorous, growing, powerful church,
blessing the people all around it, Such a
church, we should Judge, is the Stearns Chap.
al (Congregational) church in Cambridge
port, over which Rev. &. Il. Leavitt has been
settled, and which is now engaged in building
new house of worship. They have adopted
plan fer Christian work, which seems to
cover the whole ground, and is worthy of i'm
ltation by other churches. 1t is given in the
following circular After securing a certain
number to serve on each OF the committees
named, circular was sent to each member of
the church, inviting all to state on what COM
mittees they were willing to serve. The pas
tor then preached on the general subject, and
other discourses are to follow with direct ref
erence to the same end:
L. Committee on Sunday School-To serve
as officers, teachers or visitors of families.
2. Committee on Neighborhood Prayer
Meetinss-To sustain neghborhood prayer
meetings, by attending, taking part and pro-
yIdlng places for them.
8. Committee on Hospitaity-To canvass
the parish, to allow no strangers to leave the
church without a courteous and Christian
greeting, and, as far as possible, to visit them
at their homes and introduce them to the
people.
4. Committee on Sick-To visit them at
theirhomes, sympathize with them, ascertain
their special wants and report to the pastor.
.. Committee on Temperance-To estab-
llsh and maintain temperance organizations
among both children and adults.
9. Committee on Monthly Concert-To
collect and report interesting facts respecting
heathen lands, and the progress of mission
ary work in the various fields.
Z. Committee on Musc-To include all
who are willing to meet at stated times for re-
hearsal, and to secure some who will volun-
teer to be present at the neighborhood prayer
meetings and assist in the service of song
8. Committee of Ushers.
9.-Committee on the Female PRAYER Meet
ing-To conduct it, attend, and to get others
to attend.
10. Committee Of Reliel-To provide food,
clothing and pecuniary aid for the poor, for
missionaries and any Others whom it shall
seem dutyto help.
This is most excellent plan of action,
and whatever church adopts it and works
with Christian love and earnestness will sure
ly thrive and prosper gloriously under its in-
fuence. Churches are too often convenient
Sunday resorts rather,than live progressive,
Outstanding agents. ~