The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-11-13
The CONGREGATIONAL Club.

The Congregational Club OF Portland held
its first meeting of the season at the new
rooms of the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton last evening. numerous company
gathered in the paror Of the suite soon after
six O'Clock, and before seven all were seated at
bountifully supplied tables in the large hall.
Among the guests were Rev. Mr.. Danning,
Rev. DIR. Meredith, and Rev. s. B.. Capen of
Boston, and Rev. Mr.. Daniels. the new pastor
of the Second Parish. About an hour was
spent at the feast, after which William f.
Gould. Esq, the President of the Club, called
the company TO order. After the secretary
had read the report of the last meeting, Rev.
Mr.. Dunning was introduced to make an ad-
dress upon the topic designated for consdera-
ton, namely, the advisablity of raising a
permanent fund of $75 900 in aid of the work
of the Congregational Sunday School Publish
ing Society.
Rev. Mr.. DunniDg spoke of his connection
with the first Congregational club in Boston,
1T its beginning, and of the rapid increase of
such clubs during the last ten years. The OBJ
1ect which led to the first organization had
been the motive of them all, to further the
work OF Congregational churches, especially
such enterprises as need united support One
OF our most important opportunities opens to
us through the Sunday school. This cannot
be carried on successfully in a country 30 large
and growing so fast without organized agrees
elve effort through a Sunday school society.
Such society is new to our denomination,
though all other denominations have we'll
equipped Sunday school societies. It's object
is two fold: first, to produce the best Sunday
school literature; and, second, to extend and
increase Sunday schools through missionary
efforts. The society has two distinct depart-
ments for these purposes. For the first, or BUSH
ness department., it needs working capital
For the second, or missionary work, it needs
the continuous contributions of the churches.
A special committee of business men of Bos-
ton and vicinity have carefully examined the
affairs OF the society, and recommend Congre-
gational churches to raise working capital of
$4,000 as a permanent investment for the So
ciety. to be divided into $50 share of 800
each, and to be paid in three equal annual in
stalments. Their reasons are
l.. 10 provide scholarly, accurate and in
spring helps to the study of the Bible is a
most important work, and this should be done
| under the guidance of the churches and by a
| society owned by them.
| 2. Such literature cannot be prepared and
published without capital. The society now
| reaches, directly, at least 10000 people each
| week, through its printed pages This num-
Der ought to be, at least, doubled To fit it to
| 90 thls work we'll is more important, even,
than the endowment of colleges.
3. The present success of the society and
| the business men who have recently taken it
| IN charge, are a guarantee that such an invest
| rnent will be wisely used
4. The Sunday school work of the denoin;-
nation should no more be left TO the Union en-
| terprise than the foreign missionary and other
benevolent work of the churches. The plea
| that the American Sunday-School Union is
Sufficient for this work is urged on the ground
that it will then be done on basis of broader
christian llberailty than if done by the denem-
| nation. But if there is a broader basis of
christian liberality resting on truth, than is to
pc found in Congregational churches, it is time
for us to get ont of Congregational churches,
| and get on to that broader basis. The plea that
1 we can equip others to do the work for children
| and youth in broader spirit of Christian char
ity than we are capable of, stu1tifies ourselves.
| o.. The surest way to Christianize this coun-
| try is through the Sunday school. Fourteen
millions, one-third Of all the white inhabit-
ants OF the United States are the children OF
foreign parents, without any national tradi-
| tions that foster patriotism. One hundred and
| fifty thousand votes for Butler in Msssachu-
sets last week are significant of disasters in
the near future If great efforts are not made by
the churches to spread Christian intelligsn.e
/ among the young.
3. The success of other denominations in
this work is an assurance that congregational
lists can also succeed in it. OF this $75, 900, it
| is proposed to raise $4,000 in Massachusetts
and nearly one-half this sum has already been
| subscribed. We ask from the State of Maine
| $1,000, or $1,000 year for three years: and we
| believe that individuals and churches in this
State will be glad to do this, and cannot III
vest money for Christ's cause in any other way
to bring SO large returns.
Mr.. Dunning was followed by Mr.. Capen,
President Of the Society, who reinforced the
formers appeal with additional arguments,
and then the Rev. Dr. Meredith was intro
duced. He pursued the same theme. making
an address of great interest and effectiveness.
Many gentlemen present showed their interest
in the subject by remarks and questions,
which continued the proceedings until the
usual hour of Adjournment. 1t is probable
that the Portland churches will take an active
interest in this matter and do their full share
ia secure the success of the undertaking.