The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-04-10
THE CONGREGATIONAL CLUE
The Most important Work Before
the Christian Church Today.

The April meeting of the Congregational
Club was held at the Preble House last eve-
ming.
The subject presented by Rev. f. p. Wilson
of Deering, was the most important work
before the Christian Church today. Mr..
Wilson was heartily welcomed by the club
and his name proposed for membership.
The leading work for the church today, in
his view, is the elevation of the standard Of
practical morality. Christianity must aim to
produce higher type Of Christian man.
This demands more careful attention to
the education Of the young. Our best schools
are not good enough to meet the demand Of
real Christian education. Then we must
look after our heathen at home. The rela-
tions Of the poor and the srieh need to be
brought more fully under the best Christian
thought and this thought must be embodied
in action. The church must speak more
clearly to both rich and poor. The sin of
knowing what the best type Of religion calls
for and, yet doing nothing is great sin
in our time The leading work of the church
is to go out and do what it processes.
The presentation of the subject was infor-
NAL and genial, yet able, clear and convinc-
ing.
The discussion of the subject was intro.
duced by City Clerk Burgess, who thought
that the church should adopt new and ur.
gent methods to provoke one another TO good
works. We should "look up and not down
look out and not In, look forward and moi
back. and lend hand" Let the church
learn more thoroughly how to lend a hand
President Daniels said we need to aim first
/ ~ f0h fuF. Of afa nd
must be the use of highest wisdom 30 sub
stitute pure and wholesome attractions fol
those which allure and lead men astray. The
organized wisdom Of the church must be
brought to bear against the organizations OF
evil workers.
Secretary Abbott would have less pride,
less anxiety about respectability and digni-
ty in the church, and more downright work,
especially greater use Of the lay element.
The clergy must preach to the common peo-
pie and not over them, and work must be
done right with and among them.
Prof. Chapman Of Bowdoin College ex-
| pressed his lively interest In the address and
the discussion. He felt that the great work
| really achieved by the church might be un-
| derrated. 1t should be noted that the roots
| Of all fine and noble character and conduct
| in our day are in the church, even wheT
| such conduct and character are outside O1
| the church itself Set forth simply, viyidly
| the personality and work Of Christ and the
results so LQucu desired Will inevitably IOF
low. The sincerity and earnestness of the
church today are notable and commendable
Rev. George M. Howe Of Lewiston, spoke
of the large number of families in our cities
who claim to be interested in this or that
church, yet never attend church, or take any
part in church effort. The frivolous reasons
offered for not attending church, or even
Sunday school were referred to and the fact
that these reasons are generally without the
least foundation. More work, more wise
work, more sweeping work, this isl the need.
Mr.. @. A. Woodbury. would do away with
whatever regards the church as either hos
pltal or palace car. We get to Heaven only
| by work and progress.
The church is an instrument, a means, moi
an end One must come into the church II
| order to be safe-not to be saved nimsel
| merely but tnsaya others The ediscusslon- wa
animated throughout.
| The attendance of the regular member
was remarkably good, the evening one of th'
best In sociality and the supper excellent.
At the business session several new mem
bers were received, raising the number tC
118. The question Of limiting the member
ship was laid over to the November meet
ing. The club meets next in May. the las
session Of the spring.