The Portland daily press., 1889-04-09
THE CONGREGATIONAL CLUB.
Discussion of Prayer Meetings Of
the Day.

The regular session of the club for April
was held last evening at the Preble House,
and for meeting composed of gentlemen on
ly, drew good attendance. President Hal
lock occupied the chair.
At the table the Divine blessing was in
voked by Rev. j. R. Crosser, pastor of the
Presbyterian church of this city. The usual
excellent catering and table attendance were
manifest at the supper
At the business session resolution
passed to the effect that all persons whose
names stood ON the roll be considered men,
bers and assessed accordingly until they not
ify the treasurer that their membership has
regularly terminated.
A resolution proposed by Mr.. George F.
French, to the effect that on and after the
next meeting all meetings of the club shall
be ladies' meetings. was referred to special
committee consisting of Richard Abbott, Ly-
man Cousens and Rev. E. P. Wilson.
This was meeting for free and open dis
cussion. The question of "The Prayer
Meeting of Today" was the matter before
this committee of the whole. A subject of
Importance and practical interest and one
in regard to which quite different views ex-
list.
After some pertinent and well-tmed in
troductory remarks by President Hallock,
he felicitously introduced the special guest
Of the club, Bishop Nicely. who expressed
his interest in this important subject and
declared that he did not come In to speak
against the prayer meeting, but rather to
participate in the discussion with view to
hear this subject fully convassed and its
bearings all made known. He spoke of the
usages of the Episcopal church and the pref
erence of its members for prearranged petit
tions in which they may join rather than ex-
temporaneous petitions. The address was
plain, simple, fair and earnest and was we'll
received.
The subject was further discussed by Rev.
j. r. Crosser, also an honored guest of the
club. He alluded to the customs of the
Presbyterian church. The training and ed
ucation which church members have had,
must modify and should modify the exercises.
The Presbyterians seek to exercise care to
guide the service, but still the speaker felt
confident that the peculiar devotions of the
Salvation Army were productive of much
good In their distinctive gatherings.
DIR. i. p. Warren gave very interesting
"reminiscences of the earlier years of the
popular prayer meeting, with the intelli-
gence, solemnity and clear grasp of great
doctrines which marked the period. The
manifest want of the prayer meeting of to-
day is its lack of instinetiveness, all emo
ton and no thought. Our prayer meetings
would be richer far, If better acquaintance
with Divine truth were shown in their ser
vices.
Lindley M. Webb, Esq. of Portland. ex-
pressed his great pleasure in accepting the
invitation Of the club to be present and
share in the consideration of the question of
the evening. He believed that the church
was aided by the prayer meeting taking it
just as it Is. He was confident that the
business men need the prayer meeting as
much as the prayer meeting needs them.
They would find great benefit if they would
come.
DR.. Whitaker, of Portland believed that a
meeting that feeds the spiritual life will
draw the people, aud if the prayer meeting
is anywhere not well attended, it is because
the meeting is thin, dry and unspiritual.
So far as the lifting of the church is con-
cerned he regarded the prayer meeting as
far more valuable than any other agency.
Brief testimonials develop religious senti-
ment and commit the Christian more fully to
the life Of the disciple. He did not believe
in services prepared beforehand and long
prayers or testimonies would kill any meet
ing.
Mr.. Geo. f. French thought the prayer
meeting was for heart-warning, for increase
OF Christian fervor and the sincere testi-
mony of one who loves the Saviour will tell
though it be very simple and in few words.
The prayer meeting was heartily endorsed
by Mr.. w. II. Scott, and Mr. Richard Abbott
believed we Congregationalist needs the
prayer meeting, because we do not. as do
the Episcopalians take constant part In the
public service of prayer. The testimonies
are most valuable. As the prayer meeting
weakens, then weakens also the church.
Mr.. Peters and Mr.. G. A. Woodbury. de-
clared themselves as orthodox supporters of
the. prayer meeting. They thought there
was need of the prayer meeting, as home
meeting, social service indeed. Mr.. Wood
bury thoughtful expression of ones feelings
in ten words and nothing more. evening after
evening. was hardly enough.
Bishop Nicely at the close of the discussion
expressed his great Christian enjoyment in
the hour, and his high appreciation of the
value of this Interchange of views on sub
ject so vital to the spiritual vigor of the
church.
The club adjourned to the second Monday
in May. after the benediction was pronounced
by Bishop Nicely.