Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-12-22

CLUB on Forefathers' day was notable this
year for the presence of Hon James G.
Blaine. meeting was held early this even
ing in Music Hall. and after the customary
collection speeches were made by Gov Rob
inson, Rev. f B. Webb, ID. D., president of
the club, Principal Cecil F. P. Bancroft Of
Andover Academy, Prot. Heman Lincoln, d
d., of Newton Theological Seminary, Presi-
dent Robinson of Brown University, Provi
dence and Mr.. Blaine, who was the spe cial
guest of tine association and final speaker:
MIR. Blaine was introduced by Rev DR.
Webb, president Of the evening, and WAS re
ceived by storm of applause which contin-
tinued several moments. When the audi
ence had quieted down Mr.. Blaine began to
speak as follows:
Mr.. President, Gentlemen and Ladies of the
Congregational Club.
In the notable paper from Lord Bacor he
defines rank in which man connected with
States should be held in history, and in his
favorite latin he gave the highest rank to
conditores founders of States One of the
most eminent of New England ministers. not
many wears since, in quoting that paper from
Lord Bacon gave, | think, the greatest JUS
tice of the Puritans and Pilgrims Of New
England the classic title of condtores rel
publice the actual founders of the republic,
the personal acquaintance of Purtans and
Pilgrims or their descendants, not sharing
the blood myself, if civil Influence can be
separated from reiigious-that the Pertains
and Pilgrims have made a far deeper Impress
ion upon civil and patriotic America than
even on religious America-they had dIvi.-
ions and sects; they had their share of diff
terences; they were troubled with damnsble
heresies; they quarrt He'd with neghbors and
had exactly that kind Of trouble that belongs
to the aggressive theologau, but when their
descendants put into the cause of liberty the
real teaching CT their religion
they then had for forces the
Baptists of Rhode Island, the Dutch Re.
formed of New York, the Presbvterans of
New jersey, the Quakers of Pennsylvania.
the Catholics of Maryland, the Royal Episco-
palians of Virginia, the Hugenots OF Carolina,
and the Methodists of Georgia, loud ap-
plause and they could not have made that
union upon a single tenet of creed, with the
exception of a belief in God so that literally,
when DIR. Bushnell spoke of the Puritans AS
conditores rel publice, he spoke the verdict
of history, for coming from 4 region that
didn't have over a degree of admiration tor
New England men, bnt for the Adamses, and
he specially named John Adams, they could
not have conducted the Revolutionary war
and could not have made the declaration OF
inde pendence. Now, as have said, do not
share the blood of Puritan, except as the
Irish bull would have it, in certain brthright
| have from my children, for they are all Of
good Puritan descent in the ninth generation
As am in club, and in a club you
may always be personal, | claim a descent
from class of aggressive Christians that have
not lived in region as facie and as eloquent
in speech and have not always had exactly
their share of oratory, of anniversary days.
have done good deal of talking in Penn
sylvania for the Puritans of New England in
the 35 years that have been a citizen Of
New England, being myself New Highlander
by adoption, and | am going to do a little
talking on behalf of the Presbyterians OF
Pennsylvania Our distinguished friend. the
president of Brown University, arrested nv
attention by his suggestive remarks on
christian unity, and would like to ask the
PresbyterIans of Pennsylvania and the Con-
gregationslis,s of New England. why in par
ticular those two denominations of Christians
should stand apart? Now have we any
trouble between Baptist crsnks, to whom the
president of the Theological Seminary at
Newton alluded to, and Presbyterans. There
is not certainly difference of that kind be-
tween those two great bodies. They stood
and religious liberty, not oLiy after they be
came American, but they fought through the
same dynsstic and theological trouble in the
old world. Is there a difference between
them?
1t happened 10 me twenty years aga to be
in Scotland and in the general assembly of
Presbyterians, who at that time were divided
as the old school and the new school a union
between which has been effected and in the
general assembly a Sco,chman, who was
very keenly inquiring into the difference.
of the creed, asked some of the
American delegates to tell the difference be-
tween the old and new schools, and dele
gate from New York went theological ex-
plsnstion involving hours of time aud when
he was through a new school member arose
suddenly and SAID / think l can explain
that q little more promptly and quickly than
my brother has done. 1t is just this, the
old school Presbyterians believe that ''in
Adams fall we all sinned," GGreat applause
and that is where the difference would cume
betw cen Congregstionalists and Presbyter-
ians-the difference being that the new school
are not so fond of doctrine as to put it into
rhyme and sing il. Now l think if the old
school and new school could come together
the Presbyterans and Congrsgationaiists
ought to come together. l am especially re-
minded of this and it has been borne in upon
me for so many years rather waited for the
opportunity to express it, for since 80 wears
ago you addressing the presidentl left rs
and your immediate successor, whom l saw
on this platform. We educated them both for
the Boston pulpit. The church has taken
r, ths .sk vhen the sheolo1iana have left IL