The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-11-12
THE CONGREGATIONAL CLUB.
Interesting Address Delivered by Pro-
lessor Ropes Of Bangor.

The opening session of the season was
held last evening at the Preble House. The
attendance was remarkably large, token of
promise for the coming year. The social
hour in the parlors was greatly enjoyed
with Its cordial greetings, its "reminiscences
OF the vacation season, and the interchange
of opinion on the leading events, denomina-
tlonal and otherwise, during the interim of
club life. The club welcomed with great
cordially President Haleck, and congratu-
lated themselves that his new home is with.
In easy reach of the club at its meetings.
The dinner was served in the grand dining
hail. President Halleck, at the table, called
on the Rev. Daniel Greene of Cumberland.
to invoke the divine blessing.
The menu was pronounced excellent in
quality and variety, aud was manifestly APP
preciated by the club. At the business ses-
sion President Halleck felicitously greeted
the members on their reassembling to renew
the sociality and intellectual and religious
privileges of the club. The records of the
May meeting were read, and the committee
on meetings asked extension of time in the
matter of making every meeting of the club
~
cembeD session being the annual meeting
committee on nominations was appointed as
follows: j. W. d. Carter, William M.
Marks, Rufus Fl. Hinckley, Henry B. Pen
nell and William Fl. Scott.
The president. in introducing the guest of
the club and speaker of the evening, IProfes
sor Ropes of the Bangor Seminary, referred
to the prevalent views of Russia, and the in
terest that centres around this vast, and, as
is generally supposed despotic, if not cruel
country.
Professor Ropes was most cordially re-
ceived by the club as he rose to speak of his
Eight Weeks in Russia"
Modestly and wittily he declared that if he
were before them to tell what he did not
know about Russia they would be doomed
to remain long, but he could promise them a
brief sitting for what he had to say. He
proceeded to give in familiar style most en-
seen, heard and observed in Russia, espec-
tally in st. Petersburg. Russia is a great
country, and common rumor and the leading
guide books have given currency to not few
great hoaxes. These touch petroleum inter-
ests, Russia sheet iron, the best iron in the
world to be sure, but no State secret, though
family secret in two families competing
with each other, and equally great mistakes
about the principles, character and conduct
OF the Czar-who Is personally worthy and
politically doing as we'll as he can when
One is not delighted with the carriage
ways and sidewalks of st. Petersburg,
yet its streets are fine, its squares truly mag
nifcent, and its public buildings, statuary
aid appropriate to the nation and
manifest commendable measure of art.
The churches are worthy the best attention of
the visitor, from ST. Isaac's, with million
and a half dollars worth of sheet gold upon
its dome. down through all the grades of &C.
clesiastical structures.
There is not "a little genuine and I'M
affected religion in Russia, and Protestant
bodies-two Congregational churches, with
others-have government protection. Prof
Ropes supplied the pulpit of one of these
churches the last summer. The islands of
one makes delightful excursions into the
country places, where eating is fair and beds
not wholly comfortable. The galleries of
painting and statuary in st. Petersburg dis
play some remarkable work by native artists.
and the future of art, as we'll as of letters, is
Of great promise for Russia. Russians are
highly oriental In their ways and words
! hey call children by the given name of
their father They are oriental In movement
and gesture, and they are, too. oriental in all
the forms and phases of living. They make
bargains like Orientals and CHEAT unblush-
ngly in true Eastern style whenever they
can. Professor Ropes disclaimed all purpose
of discussing the politics of Russia, but
would venture to say that one of their great
wants seemed to be prisons, and especially
prisons that would work to repress crime.
Society has in Russia some strange
but many most interesting elements
Whoever intelligently sees and studies
st. Petersburg and Russia will find
much to amuse, not a little to sur
prise, and great deal to set him thinking.
The address was richly illustrated by anus
Ing turns of speech, anecdotes apt and tell
ing, and quaint but most effective compar-
ison of things American and things Russian,
with much of thoughtful criticism and infer
ence suggested by his every way admirably
treated theme.
The thanks of the club:were rendered for
the capital address of Prof. Ropes in appro-
pirate terms by President Halleck, who, in
his hearty commentator, voiced the unani-
nous sentiment. The next meeting of the
club in December, occurring near Fore
fathers day, will be special occasion, ard
will have programme appropriate to this
New England anniversary.
1t is confidently hoped that DR.. Meredith
of Brooklyn. will address the club at that
time and that Rev. Mr.. Daniels, the former
president of the club, will participate in the
meeting.