The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-05-14
THE CONGREGATIONS, o,,,e
A Large Meeting at the PrebIe House
Last Evening.

The May session and final meeting for the
spring, of the Congregational Club was held
at the Preble House last evening. 1t was a
ladies meeting and drew an exceptionally
large and brilliant company.
The social attractiveness of the club meet
ings has increased from month to month dur
ing the year as the members have become ac-
quainted with one another. and the social
hour In the parlors of the hotel last evening
was especially pleasant.
The grand dining hall of the hotel was
used Tor the banquet. The new feature OF
taStefully selected and well rendered music
was much appreciated, and was pleasant
token OF the attention of the proprietor
OF the Preble to his guests of the club.
AT the table the divine blessing was in
yoked by Rev. E. P. Wilson of Deering. In
the absence Of President Hallock, on account
of i'll health, the duties of the chair were
well performed by Vice President Abbott.
AT the business session Mr.. Charles +. SAT-
ford was elected to membership. The COM
mittee to which was referred the question.
whether every session should be ladies'
meeting was continued to report at the first
autumn meeting
Following the banquet the presiding off,
Ger introduced the honored guest of the
club, the Rev. Walcott Calkins, d. d., of
Newton, Mass, who after feicitous ex-
preston of his pleasure In meeting the Port
land Congregational Club, proceed to con-
slider centennial theme zone Hundred
Years Ago and Now"
Tho ohiaof aooa;tion "a 4o..Lt
dens of the common people in France at the
close of the eighteenth century were i'm
pressively pictured. The wrongs, not
the rights of men are the substance of the
history OF those times. The working men of
| France were being crushed to death by the
taxes and exactions of the times, towards
which taxes the mobiles and ecclesiastics con-
trlbuted not cent.
The shameless corruption of the governing
classes, and the grinding oppression of the
peasantry, made necessary the great revolu-
tlon, which had reasons for Its existence
even more forcible and urgent than those of
our own great struggle for liberty.
There never was movement more sincere.
more NOBLE, more In accordance with the
golden rule, than the early days of the AS
sembly, the glorious revolution of 1889. This
glorious movement, without atheism de.
yout, philanthropic, uniting Catholics and
Protestants In patriotic fervor, was strangely
drrcSttu dittr It's lnclplent steps. This ar
rest OF the progress of liberty and of the
brilliant start in civilization could have been
| nothing but the Nemesis of history ayenging
itself upon France for the gigantic corrup-
lions OF its king and the unholy and abomin-
able usurpation of its ruling church.
The evil fortune of France
has been contrasted in this past
century by the good fortune Of the United
States. The evils under which France has
groaned have been averted in our case by oul
irrepresslble expansion, and the wondrous
rescue which Providence mas worked out for
us when great dangers have threatened. The
two countries each starting SO grandly in
the century now terminating, end the hun.
dred years in strange contrast Let us be
thankful for our success while we sympathize
With France in losses and reverses.
The address was one of rare thoughtful.
ness, accomplished scholarship and great
eloquence. 1t was very instructive in its
tine grasp of facts and suggestive in its rela
ton to American policy and governmental
methods. The thanks of the club, moved by
DIR. Warren, were most cordially expressed
After. the benediction by Dr. Warren the
| club adjourned to meet In October next.
The season has been decided success, ant
the club is popular, strong and has {
| brilliantloutlook for the future.